The LV2100 coal resource study was undertaken by consultants GHD on behalf of the Australian and Victorian Governments, Latrobe City, mining companies and water utilities.

 

Chris Fraser, executive director of the Victorian branch of the Minerals Council of Australia, said the report demonstrated the importance of the long-term role coal played in meeting the state’s future energy needs and was “a great vote of confidence in the Latrobe Valley”.

 

“Of course the development of the coal field depends upon effective solutions for the dewatering, gasification and carbon capture and storage technologies being identified. These greenhouse gas emission technologies were not part of the study. The development also depends upon the need for projects to gain contemporary planning and environmental approvals,” Fraser said.

 

The study looked at a range of coal demand scenarios over the next 100 years and concluded – even with huge increases in renewable energy and gas-fired power stations – that coal mining at current levels or greater would be required to meet Victoria’s long-term electricity needs and as feed stock for high grade liquid fuels and high grade solid fuel.

 

The study also identified the planning controls that would be required to ensure that access to the “best coal” is not blocked by expanding towns and vital infrastructure.