By Owen Jacques
The region's mining industry is on the brink of a huge upturn, with 24 new projects on the cards compared to 12 months ago.
Figures released by Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson show 45 coal projects, 16 "mineral" projects and 16 "energy development" projects in development.
The planned operations stretch from Bowen to west of Gladstone but it is in the northern Bowen Basin that development is really jumping ahead.
In the Isaac Regional Council area, which includes Moranbah, Dysart and Middlemount, there are five new coal mines planned, as well as three coal mine expansions and two new coal seam gas fields.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mercury, Mr Robertson said Central Queensland's mining industry was "a resilient one".
He added that confidence in the region was returning despite the past 12 months being "a very challenging time".
"There are currently 49 coal mines, 25 mineral mines and 20 medium to large quarries operating in Central Queensland," he said.
"Many of these have reserves that will enable production beyond 2020."
Mr Robertson said $3.5 billion worth of mining projects were already under construction including the Kestrel, Carborough Downs and Curragh expansions.
"Two coal mining projects totalling $260 million are committed to proceed, the (Aquila-owned) Isaac Plains expansion and (Macarthur Coal's) Middlemount.
"And 27 projects are at an advanced stage, including 14 new mines and 13 expansions or extensions."
"Substantial economic growth for Central Queensland through export oriented resource projects is just around the corner."
Figures supplied to the Daily Mercury from Mr Robertson's office also show that in March this year the amount of money spent on mineral exploration was almost $10 million above the same time in 2008, which was considered the region's boom time.
The Projects to Watch
- 14 new mine projects including Vale-owned Ellensfield, BMA-owned Daunia and Caval Ride mines and Aquila's Eagle Downs.
- 13 expansions/extensions of mines including BMA's Goonyella-Riverside and Peak Downs, Anglo Coal's Foxleigh and Peabody's Millennium.
- Two major coal projects named as "significant projects" by the Queensland Government, including the Waratah Galilee Coal Project and the Alpha Coal Project, both west of Emerald.
This is on top of the operations already running in our region:
- 49 coal mines
- 25 mineral mines
- 20 medium to large quarries.
Taken from The Daily Mercury 10 August 2009