Wandoan Coal Project, Queensland

Operators: The project is being delivered by Xstrata Coal Queensland and funded through a joint venture between Xstrata Coal Queensland (75% ownership), ICRA (Itochu) Pty Ltd (12.5% ownership) and Sumisho Coal Australia (12.5% ownership).

Location:  Wandoan (immediately west of the township) 

Timeframe:     Two to three year construction period

Employment:   1,300 jobs required to build the mine infrastructure which will generate up to 210 further jobs in the local region each year.  Once the mine is operational, 754 permanent jobs and 90 contractor maintenance jobs will also be created on the mine site.  In addition, there will be a flow-on effect that will generate 150 to 200 permanent jobs in the local region.  A number of entry level jobs for school leavers, including apprenticeships and traineeships will be created among the long term jobs on the mine site once the mine is operational.  The Xstrata QMEA Education Partnership between Xstrata Coal, Queensland Department of Education and the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy will provide $720,000 over three years for funding, equipment, curricula enrichment and school industry liaison to Wandoan State School, and Taroom State School and Miles High School.

Status:  Awaiting State and Federal government approvals.  The Wandoan Coal Project has been established to investigate the possibility of opening an open-cut thermal coal mine immediately west of the Wandoan township.  The mine would include an open-cut coal mine, a coal handling and preparation plant and support facilities. With an expected life of more than 30 years, the mine would produce thermal coal which would be crushed, sized and washed before being transported by rail to port facilities on the Queensland coast and exported around the world, or used here in Australia. It is anticipated that about 30 million run-of-mine tonnes of coal would be mined at Wandoan each year.  As at May 2012, Xstrata Coal is awaiting receipt of final approvals from the Queensland Government to allow them to proceed with the development of the proposed mine.    After the Mining Lease and Environmental Authority are granted by the Queensland Government, Xstrata Coal will move towards a final investment decision. In the meantime, they continue to plan for construction of the mine and supporting infrastructure.