Located 20km west of Glenden and 60km south of Collinsville the project includes plans to develop eight open cut pits within an estimated 6998-hectare disturbance area across six mining lease application blocks.

The private joint venture of QCoal and JFE Steel Corporation believes construction will take two years and create up to 350 jobs.

First coal exports could consequently occur in 2016, even though the JV previously flagged an operational start in 2015.

The operational phase is expected to require a workforce of 545, with the mine expected to mainly produce a washed coking coal for Asian steel mills, along with some thermal coal output.

While Queensland’s Coordinator General gave the project environmental approval this week, Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said it was subject to 122 conditions.

“The Coordinator General has set strict conditions to protect groundwater resources, surface water quality and fauna, as well as controls on air quality, dust and noise,” he said.

The project proponents estimated that the mine would contribute $289 million annually to the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday region and $143 million annually to the Queensland economy.

Seeney said the JV had committed to offering jobs in the nearby towns of Glenden, Nebo, Moranbah and Collinsville.

“The project could also have flow-on benefits to nearby towns and businesses, creating even more local jobs,” he said on Wednesday.

The project, which still requires federal environmental approval, aims to link up to the Newlands rail system to export through Abbot Point.