New milestone pushes QLD Winchester South mine closer to construction

The Queensland Government has released the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Whitehaven Coal’s $1 billion metallurgical coal project in Central Queensland and feedback submissions from Queenslanders are encouraged. 

The Winchester South coal mine is located approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Moranbah and it has the potential to generate more than $500 million in royalties that can be spent on local schools, hospitals and roads. 

In addition, this major mining project will support Queensland’s strong COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. 

“This project will be a massive jobs and business boost for Central Queensland and the Isaac region particularly, with those benefits extending east to Mackay. 

“Whitehaven Coal has a strong record of local employment and is committed to maintaining local employment here in Queensland. 

“Ongoing investment in our resources sector continues to underpin Queensland’s economic recovery plan and prove that Queensland is the place to be when it comes to resources investment,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said. 

The Winchester South metallurgical coal project is anticipated to create up to 1,000 new jobs in Queensland, including 500 construction jobs and 500 operational jobs, once the it is approved for development.

“This project has the potential to make a major contribution to not only Mackay but also the region and the state. 

“The resources industry is a key part of Mackay and people and businesses throughout the city benefit from a strong mining sector. 

“It’s important people can have their say on this job creating project for the region,” Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said. 

Project map (source: Whitehaven Coal)

Winchester South is located in the Bowen Basin and it is Whitehaven Coal’s first development in Queensland. 

Once approved, the project will involve the construction of a new open-cut mine as well as a coal processing plant and a rail loop that will link with the existing Bowen Basin coal rail network. 

The new mine is projected to have a 30-year mine life with a target run-of-mine (ROM) production of 17Mtpa of coal supply for the international market at full capacity. Winchester South will also be producing about 11Mtpa of primary metallurgical coal products used in the steel industry along with secondary thermal coal products for energy generation. 

Whitehaven Coal acquired the Winchester South mine in 2018 and its team has been developing the detailed project design since then. 

“As our first development in Queensland, we’ve built productive relationships with the community, local council, the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation, government, and other stakeholders, all of whom have been critical to developing the proposal. 

“This project will support ongoing economic development in regional Queensland and importantlu in the customer countries where the product will be used. 

“We encourage any interested parties to have a say as part of this public notification process,” Whitehaven Coal Managing Director and CEO Paul Flynn said. 

Submission for the EIS will be accepted until 15th September. The finalised EIS is going to be presented to the Australian and Queensland Governments for examination. 

“A comprehensive EIS is critical for all major projects and I encourage as many people as possible to have their say to ensure that it covers all the environmental, social and economic effects of the project,” Minister Stewart said. 

For more information about the draft EIS, you can check the dedicated page for Winchester South here. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Whitehaven Coal (1, 2); Australian Mining