On June 13, the Queensland Government gave the final environmental approval of Adani’s Carmichael mine in Central Queensland. The project, which has been in the planning stages for eight years, can now begin construction.
The Department of Environment and Science approved the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Management Plan for the project.
“This is confirmation the plan complies with all regulatory conditions set by the Australian and state governments, bringing to a close a two-year process of rigorous scientific inquiry, review and approvals,” Adani Mining CEO Lucas Dow said. “This includes relevant reviews by Australia’s pre-eminent scientific organizations CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.”
Dow said over the next few days, the company will finalize contracts, mobilize equipment, and recruitment will continue. Then construction, including fencing, bridge and road upgrades, water management and civil earthworks, will start on the mine site.
He added that 1,500 direct and 6,750 indirect jobs will be needed during ramp up and construction.
“It has been more than 50 years since a new coal basin has opened in Queensland,” Sen. The Hon. Matt Canavan, minister for resources and Northern Australia, said. “So, this development is of huge importance to the economic future of Queensland.”
Adani is the biggest commercial investment from an Indian company in Australia, Canavan said.
