The project is targeting 1.9 million tonnes per annum run of mine, with first operations in 2016 and an expected mine life of 30 years.

Located 14km northwest of the Blair Athol mine, the thermal coal project will either be based on a single pit or will start mining simultaneously, starting north and south of the proposed pit area.

Detailed in its application to the federal government, Cuesta aims to build a coal handling and processing plant as well as a rail loop and train loading facility to haul coal through the nearby Goonyella rail network to Hay Point for export.

The total project area encompasses 9346.1 hectares across four mining licence application areas.

In September, Beijing Guoli Energy Investment’s Longluck subsidiary lifted its stake of Cuesta from 47.77% to 54.09% through a shares placement.