GVK has proposed a 30 million tonne per annum open cut and underground coal mine for the Kevin’s Corner site, which is the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland.
The project aims to service international export energy markets as well as potential national thermal coal markets.
In its decision the Land Court confirmed GVK had undertaken a comprehensive environmental assessment, which involved more than 300 collaborative environmental studies across its Galilee Basin projects in accordance with statutory requirements.
“This recommendation to grant the mining lease and environmental authority endorses the comprehensive environmental studies of our Galilee Basin projects, which was approved by state and federal governments,” GVK said in a statement.
“We will continue working cooperatively with landholders, the local community and governments as we progress our projects to a point where construction can commence.
“We understand the development of the Galilee Basin represents one of the most significant pieces of regional and economic development our state has seen for decades.”
GVK Hancock is expected to be one of the beneficiaries of any Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility funding for the proposed Adani rail line from its Carmichael coal project to Adani’s Abbot Point coal terminal.
GVK said its Kevin’s Corner project would create 1800 construction jobs and 1600 operational jobs over its expected 30-year mine life, and provide indirect employment for many thousands more.
It expects its combined Alpha and Kevin’s Corner mines will contribute $40 billion in taxes and royalties over their operating lives.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane welcomed the decision but railed against environmentalist attempts to derail coal projects in the state.
“It is very disappointing to see green activists, yet again, attempting to derail a job creating mine after it had already passed through processes administered by democratically elected state and federal governments,” Macfarlane said.
“Coast and Country, through the taxpayer-funded Environmental Defenders Office, have repeatedly failed in their combined attempts to stop the coal industry and deny Queenslanders jobs.
“In its decision the Land Court had demonstrated the court system is starting to identify where activists’ claims have little or no basis other than to delay or attempt to jeopardise the project.”
