The Queensland Government is calling for community feedback on Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed $1.76 billion Byerwen Coal Mine, north of the Bowen Basin.

The Queensland Coordinator-General recently approved the release of Byerwen Coal’s EIS for public comment until July 23.

Deputy Premier, Jeff Seeney, welcomed the release of the EIS, describing it as an important step towards the delivery of the open-cut coal mine.

“If approved, the project could provide a huge boost to one of Queensland’s four economic pillars – resources – and create up to 350 construction jobs and up to 545 jobs when the southern and northern mine pits are operational,” Mr Seeney said.

“It also has the potential to deliver up to 10 million tonnes per annum of product coal for export primarily to Asian steel mills over a 50-year project life.”

The project includes:

  • four mining zones with eight open-cut pits using draglines, excavators, trucks and dozers
  • two coal handling and preparation plants and associated mine infrastructure areas
  • two train-loading facilities, including rail loop and spur lines connecting to the existing Abbot Point Rail line
  • on-site coal haul roads and conveyor belts, a sewage treatment plant, powerlines and dams

Mr Seeney said the key potential impacts and mitigation measures addressed in the EIS included land clearance and offset strategies, the release of mine water and impacts on the Suttor River.

He said the Byerwen Coal Mine project was being assessed under the bilateral agreement between the state and federal governments.

The EIS, and advice on how to make a submission, can be viewed online via www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/byerwen