Palmer’s Waratah Coal plans to build a thermal coal mine complex near Alpha, west of Emerald, as part of its China First project, which would be linked to a new coal terminal at Abbot Point by a new 453km standard-gauge, heavy-haul railway line.

Palmer said establishing the mine and associated infrastructure would create 6000 jobs during construction and 2460 jobs during operation.

Waratah Coal managing director Nui Harris said the EIS approval by coordinator general Barry Broe, with support from Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, was an important milestone for the China First Project.

“The EIS process has involved consultation with a significant number of stakeholders including elected representatives, federal and state government agencies, local councils, indigenous representatives, the private sector, public organisations and local residents,” Harris said.

“A commonwealth EIS will now be lodged with the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for review. Subject to the Commonwealth review, it is anticipated a final EIS will be lodged with the commonwealth for approval in late October.”

The project is proposed to consist of a combination of open cut and underground mining.

It is projected to produce 40 million tonnes per annum of thermal coal for export over an expected life of about 30 years.

Coordinator-general Barry Broe said the project was also being assessed in a parallel EIS under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Broe said the release of his evaluation report, including the conditional approval, came after more than four years of rigorous environmental assessment and public consultation.

“I have stated a significant number of conditions and recommendations in my report that the proponent must implement fully,” he said.

“The conditions establish clear principles and procedures to manage matters including surface and groundwater impacts, rail line flooding, and social impacts.”

Waratah has agreed to offset the loss of values of the Bimblebox Nature Refuge and the coordinator-general has set conditions on this offset.

Seeney said the coordinator-general’s decision finalised the state environmental assessment process and he called on the commonwealth government to work with the proponent to expedite their assessment process.

“This is a significant step in a long and rigorous process,” he said.

“It is another major infrastructure decision for development of the Galilee Basin and I very much hope that the commonwealth does not now hold up its approval and delay another vital project for the Queensland economy.

“The decision is in stark contrast to the commonwealth delays and procrastination on project approvals.”

But the EIS approval has attracted criticism by the Greens.

Greens politician Larissa Waters said the proposed coal mine would rip up the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, an 8000 hectare remnant patch of native woodland that serves as an invaluable habitat refuge for native wildlife, including the endangered black throated finch.

“This is the third massive coal mine that the Newman Government has approved in the Galilee Basin – two for Gina Rinehart and now one for Clive Palmer,” she said.

“The three mega coal mines would significantly increase Australia's contribution to global climate change, producing 100 mega tonnes of coal every year. That's seven times more than the amount produced by Australia's current largest coal mine and more than one and a half times Queensland's total annual emissions.

“What's more, the masses of coal produced would be exported through the Great Barrier Reef, turning this World Heritage Area into a shipping super highway.”

The China First Project earlier this year had its major project facilitation status renewed by the federal government until December 31, 2016, and has also been declared a “Significant Project” by the Queensland government.

“Clive Palmer's mine and one of Gina Rinehart's still need federal approval but unfortunately both the old parties have the sorry track record of approving every single coal or coal seam gas project that has ever come before them under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.” Waters said.

“We need more Greens in the senate to provide an alternative voice and to stand up to the big mining companies for action on change and the protection of the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.”