The Indian giant is gearing up to invest up to $10 billion in its proposed Carmichael coal mine and infrastructure project over the next decade.
The Adani group operates the Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen, which it acquired in 2011, and is planning to increase its annual capacity to 120 million tonnes from the current 50Mt.
Coal from the Carmichael mine – which lies in the Galilee Basin – will be transported via the 400km railway line to Abbot Point for export to India.
Adani Australia chief executive Harsh Mishra said: “We consider our investment in Queensland a vital part of Adani’s integrated value chain. By working with reputable businesses such as SKM, we can ensure we enter the Queensland market with local knowledge and confidence.”
The Abbot Point expansion project includes a second 2.75km approach jetty – with associated approaches, roadways and conveyors creating two new berths. When finished in 2015, the new infrastructure will more than double the port’s existing capacity.
The project will be delivered through a partnership model that will see engineers and technical staff from both Adani and SKM in India and Australia work collaboratively, demonstrating global delivery capacity.
The innovative delivery approach for Abbot Point will help in driving investment in Australia’s resources, SKM general manager, buildings and infrastructure Dr Michael Shirley said.
“Developing resources infrastructure is becoming increasingly challenging for our clients. With operations across Asia Pacific, SKM is able to leverage our global presence to create collaborative partnerships such as this to effectively and efficiently realise critical new infrastructure,” he said.
As part of the Queensland government’s trade delegation to India last week, Adani hosted state Premier Campbell Newman and key state business leaders including SKM at its Mundra Port, India’s largest private port.
“Innovative business solutions are required to ensure investment is successful and we believe India and Australia’s strong and growing economies offer unprecedented mutual benefits,” Newman said.
SKM has a significant depth of specialist maritime experience having delivered major maritime projects in India, Malaysia, other parts of South East Asia, the Pacific and Australasia.
The environmental impact statement for the ambitious Carmichael project has estimated the 60 million tonnes per annum coal mine will cost Indian developer Adani Mining $21.5 billion over a 90-year operating life.
