The current Queensland government inquiry into FIFO practices has seemingly flavoured the approval conditions which included that Red Hill has “no 100%” FIFO workforce and that “anyone must be able to apply for a job on the project, regardless of where they live”
BMA, which has operates the only two 100% FIFO-based coal mines in the state (Daunia and Caval Ridge), said it noted the CG conditions and recommendations.
BMA also said it appreciated the opportunity to work with the CG’s department to develop clear principles for workforce management, which would apply to future mining development within the Red Hill mining lease.
The Red Hill longwall project was shelved by BHP in 2012, although its resources are expected to help feed BMA’s nearby Goonyella Riverside open cut and Broadmeadow longwall operations.
BMA said the Red Hill approval provided the foundation for development planning at the two adjacent mines which includes “future extensions into the Red Hill Mining Lease”.
“This decision provides BMA with certainty to support the continuation of mining and essential productivity measures at BMA’s existing mines – protecting current jobs at a very challenging time for the coal industry,” the Queensland coal miner said.
“It is important to note that no decision has been made in relation to the timing of development of the proposed new underground mine included within the Red Hill Mining Lease environmental impact statement.”
Before the coal downturn the Red Hill longwall project, 20km north of Moranbah, was targeting up to 14 million tonnes per annum of high-quality hard coking coal over a 20 to 25 year life.
BMA’s Red Hill mining lease plans still require federal environmental approval.
Queensland’s new State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the BMA proposal at peak production would create 2000 construction jobs and 1500 operational jobs and increase coal output from about 18 million tonnes per annum to up to 32.5Mtpa at the mining complex centred on Goonyella Riverside.
However, these figures are based on the combination of the Red Hill mine and expansions of the Goonyella Riverside and Broadmeadow going ahead – as revealed in CG’s recently unveiled report on the EIS. With a Red Hill mine off the cards it is not clear how many jobs will be created.
