May 30, 2019
Whitehaven Coal’s planned new Winchester South coal mine will deliver hundreds of coal mining jobs and boost the central Queensland economy for decades.
The Queensland Government announced in April that the $1 billion project near Moranbah in the Bowen Basin would be declared a co-ordinated project, which means final approval will be fast-tracked.
“This announcement means the Winchester South Coal Operations proposal has passed the major hurdles. It is now in the hands of the Co-ordinator General to get the mine up and running,” said Queensland District President Stephen Smyth.
“It is great news for Central Queensland mining towns. In addition to direct jobs building and operating the mine, local businesses will also benefit from the economic activity the new mine generates.”
The Winchester South proposal is for an open cut coal mine, producing predominantly metallurgical coal for steel-making. The project will generate approximately 500 jobs throughout the two-year construction period and up to 450 full-time jobs during operation.
Construction of the new coal mine is proposed to commence in 2021.
“It is great news for Central Queensland mining towns. In addition to direct jobs building and operating the mine, local businesses will also benefit from the economic activity the new mine generates.”