More land in Queensland’s coal-rich Bowen Basin is opening for exploration to fuel the next round of mining jobs.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said tenders opened today for five areas with high potential for steel-making coal and thermal coal for electricity and industry.
“The coal industry supports 36,000 jobs across the state and this is an investment in future projects and jobs,” Dr Lynham said.
“Exploration is the lifeblood of the resources sector, and the thousands of jobs and business opportunities it provides, particularly in regional Queensland.
“Australia and the rest of the world need metallurgical and pulverised coal injection (PCI) coal as essential ingredients in manufacturing steel.
“That’s steel for building homes, and to manufacture the vast structures of wind turbines and components for the burgeoning electric vehicles industry for the renewables sector
“The world needs our metallurgical coal as part of the transition to renewables.”
Dr Lynham said the new blocks also had access to the Bowen Basins world-class existing rail and port infrastructure at Hay Point and Gladstone to get the coal from pit to port cheaper and faster.
The five areas made up of 147 sub-blocks are:
- one 60 km2 area north-east of Moranbah with potential for metallurgical coal
- three areas of six km2 each east of Blackwater providing opportunities for thermal coal and/or pulverised coal injection (PCI) coal used in steel manufacturing
- one 380 km2 area south-east of Emerald with potential for thermal coal.
The bidding companies have to offer cash with their bid.
The preferred tenderers must also meet environmental, native title, and other approvals, as well as land access requirements before on-ground exploration can start.
