The Federal Government yesterday backed a new coal mine near Bowen which is set to inject $300 million and hundreds of jobs into the region’s economy.
The mine is expected to provide big spin-off benefits for Bowen Shire and Townsville.
Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane announced the Sonoma Coal Project had been awarded Major Project Facilitation status. This means Government agency Invest Australia will help with approvals and work with QCoal to identify minority stake foreign investors.
“A new hard coking coal mine represents a significant investment in the Bowen region in Northern Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“The project brings with it tremendous local investment, small business and employment opportunities”.
“There will be more than 200 new jobs during the construction phase of the project and more than 100 positions created through the actual operation of the new mine”.
Mr Wallin, QCoal managing director, said he expected the EIS to be signed off soon and the awarding of a mining leas to start construction in 2007.
The company proposes to produce two million tonnes of coking and thermal coal product per annum initially but has an estimated resource of close to 100 million tones.
The coal will be railed about 100km to Abbot Point Bulk Coal Terminal for export where Queensland Ports Corporation is undertaking a $430million expansion.
Mr Wallin said the Bowen Shire and Townsville would benefit from the mine development including the requirement for engineering services.
Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker said the mine would provide a big injection for the shire and provide more reason to build the so-called ‘missing link’ in the coal rail line infrastructure between Goonyella and Newlands.
He said Bowen could also expect a boost from mine workers some of whom would choose to live at Bowen.
“It will be a good injection for the Shire,” Cr Brunker said.
“The whole shire will get a good benefit out of it”.
Foot Note: View Properties in Bowen
