Broughton coal project (lapsed)
Project summary
The proposed Broughton Coal Mine would be located in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland approximately 100km west-south west of Mackay and 27km north-west of the township of Nebo in the Isaac Regional Council local government area. The proponent, U & D Mining Industry (Australia) Pty Ltd, has applied for a new mining lease, ML70511, covering 2227ha within the existing exploration permit coal (EPC) 818. The latest mine planning indicates that another mining lease within EPC818 may be required for mine infrastructure, and if so, the EIS will also address that area.
The mine would produce up to three million tonnes a year (Mt/y) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal over 15 years.
The proposed project would consist of:
- one open-cut pit
- an initial overburden stockpile and a large out of pit waste dump
- a haul road and ROM coal stockpile
- a coal handling and preparation plant, product coal stockpiles, and tailings dam
- rail line loop and train load-out facility
- internal access roads (light vehicle)
- road diversion (Suttor Developmental Road)
- creek diversion and flood levees
- mine water management system
- water pipeline and power supply
- mine infrastructure area, magazine, workshops, office buildings, and crib rooms.
Mine operations would involve conventional truck and shovel open-cut mining techniques and progressive rehabilitation. When the open pit has reached its maximum depth, highwall augering may be used to maximise resource recovery.
The product coal would be transported on a dedicated haul road to a new train loading facility connected to the Hail Creek rail branch. The coal is currently proposed to be exported through the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, south of Mackay.
The proposed mining lease is bisected by the Suttor Developmental Road and a stock route.
An estimated 100 personnel would be employed during construction increasing to 200 during the operational phase. Accommodation options being considered for employees include the existing Hail Creek Mine accommodation camp, Nebo Junction accommodation village, or the Nebo accommodation village. On-site workers accommodation is not proposed.
Queensland assessment process
Environmental Protection Act 1994
On 13 September 2013, U & D Mining Industry (Australia) Pty Ltd applied for an environmental authority for ML70511. On 5 November 2013, the department notified U & D Mining Industry (Australia) Pty Ltd that the application requires assessment by EIS.
Commonwealth assessment process
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The project is a controlled action (EPBC 2014/7132) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are:
- listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A of the EPBC Act)
- listed migratory species (sections 20 and 20A of the EPBC Act)
- a water resource, in relation to coal seam gas development and large coal mining development (sections 24D and 24E of the EPBC Act).
Final terms of reference (TOR)
In accordance with section 46 of the EP Act, the department has finalised the TOR for carrying out an EIS for the proposed project.
The final TOR for the EIS was issued to the proponent on 24 April 2015.
Current status of the EIS process
U & D Mining Industry (Australia) Pty Ltd had until 24 April 2017 to prepare the EIS and submit it to the department for assessment. However, the EIS was not received by the due date. Consequently, the final TOR for the project cease to have effect and the TOR stage under Division 2 of the EP Act must be complied with again before the EIS for this project may be submitted.
Documents
- Final terms of reference (April 2015)
- Draft terms of reference (January 2015)
- Initial advice statement (December 2014)
Further information
For further information regarding the EIS process for this proposal, contact the EIS Coordinator on 13QGOV (13 74 68) or email eis@des.qld.gov.au.