Ensham last week submitted a supplementary report to the state government revising its mining methodology for the project.

At the end of 2007, Ensham finalised an environmental impact statement to develop Ensham Central by expanding the mine’s open cut operation as well as introducing underground mining techniques.

But Ensham chief executive Peter Westerhuis said a review of the development had led to a change of plan.

“In response to the impacts of market conditions, lessons we learnt from the flood event in 2008 and feedback from the community, we made the decision to revise our mining methodology and transition the mine to a primarily underground operation,” Westerhuis said.

“The key change to the plan is our decision not to access the coal beneath the central floodplain north of the Nogoa River through open cut mining.

“The decision results in a reduction in the total area of open cut mining of 830 hectares compared to the original proposal.”

Westerhuis said using underground techniques would avoid disturbance in the anabranch of the Nogoa River and the need to construct an additional 12km of levee banks.

He said the new plan reduced the environmental impact, including on the floodplain, groundwater and air quality.

“Our revised mining methodology also has positive implications for the local community. It means we will help secure the long-term future of around 3000 direct and indirect jobs and support ongoing investment in the region.”

Ensham said it was talking with government representatives, local regional councils, community organisations, industry partners and local neighbours about the new plan.

The supplementary report will go on public display for 20 business days and can be viewed at the Department of Environment and Resource Management Emerald office and at Ensham’s website.

Check out the upcoming September issue of Australian Longwall Magazine for more details on the Ensham Central project.