Construction has begun on a $1 billion coal mine near Moranbah, which will create up to 1000 new local jobs.
Speaking from the Olive Downs coal mine last week, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the project would bring significant economic benefits to all of Queensland.
“The Olive Downs mine is estimated to be worth $10.1 billion to the gross state product and will be an absolute jobs jackpot,” Mr Stewart said.
“At its peak, this mine will produce 15 million tonnes per annum of steelmaking metallurgical coal.
“This will be transported by rail to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, for export to key international markets such as Japan, India and South Korea.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said increasing coal exports would make Australia wealthier and stronger.
“To become as strong as possible as quickly as possible, we must produce and sell more of the products that create wealth,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Coal is one of our biggest export earners and a significant economic driver, helping pay for services such as our Defence Force, the NDIS, and hospitals and schools.
“If we don’t put coal on boats, Australians must choose which services and opportunities they don’t want because without that income, our nation will become weaker and poorer.”
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the Olive Downs mine will further drive the success of the resources industry in Queensland.
“In Capricornia during the 2019-20 financial year, the resources industry contributed around $1.1 billion in wages paid to 7,335 full-time jobs, with $4.5 billion in royalties shared across Queensland,” Ms Landry said.
“Around $2.7 billion was also spent on goods and services locally, benefitting around 1,306 local businesses.
“The resources industry is alive and well in Queensland and the start of another project will go a long way in assisting the state as we move into a post-COVID-19 economy.”
Isaac Regional Council Deputy Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said Olive Downs is symbolic of a strong future for metallurgical coal and the Isaac region’s communities.
“We welcome Pembroke to the mining community and thank them for bringing a new opportunity of such incredible scale to this region,” Cr Vea Vea said.
Pembroke Resources Chairman and CEO Barry Tudor said the official start of works at the project opened the door to new job and economic opportunities for Central Queensland.
“The high quality steel-making coal that will be produced from our mine will contribute to national and state economies as well as much needed infrastructure across the world, delivering economic benefits and jobs from a grassroots to a global scale,” Mr Tudor said.
“Importantly, Pembroke is committed to providing workers with an opportunity to live in towns near the mine including Moranbah and Dysart and is building sustainable futures for people in the communities in which Olive Downs operates.”
