The expansion of the much talked-about Abbot Point coal terminal facility has begun. EXPRESSIONS of interest (EOI) have been put in place to find the right workers for the job. This is going to a milestone for the development of the Galilee Basin mines like the Adani Carmichael mine and the proposed Gina Rinehart backed Hancock Coal and Indian based GVK joint venture.

The Minister for State Development Anthony Lynham said the port construction and dredging works means more jobs for the regions workers, with estimates some 155 jobs will be up for grabs.

“We are calling for expressions of interest from suitably qualified companies to undertake the dredging works and construct the dredged material containment ponds required to expand the Port of Abbot Point,” he said.

“The great majority of this workforce is expected to be sourced locally and these workers will be housed in towns around Abbot Point, including Bowen, providing a much-needed economic boost to these communities.

“In the meantime, work is steadily progressing on the Environmental Impact Statement.”

Dr Lynham said the new Palaszczuk State Government ion Queensland was focussed on creating essential infrastructure to contribute to Queensland’s economic future, as well as protecting the sensitive environment areas like the Great Barrier Reef. The barrier reef sits on the edge of the Abbot Point region and concerns have been building over the effects the development of thermal coal mines in the Galilee Basin could have on the Eco-system.

“That’s why we put an immediate block on the previous Newman Government’s ideas to dump dredged materials in the Caley Valley Wetlands. The plan is to dump the dredged material on unused industrial land adjacent to the coal terminal that’s already there,” he said.

“Tendering can be lengthy and detailed… we are kicking off the process now so we can be ready should we receive approval for the project.”

It’s thought the North Queensland Bulk Ports Authority will engage a major contractor when all of the necessary approvals are in place, including the EIS from the Commonwealth Government.

Abbot Point Location

Abbot Point is located about 25km north of Bowen, with a currently coal export capacity of close to 50 million tonnes a year.

The proposed new expansion will increase coal capacity by 70 million tonnes a year. This is to prepare for massive coal shipments that will be sent to the port from the proposed Galilee Basin mines, currently under the development phase. Adani’s mega-mine, the proposed Carmichael Mine is expected itself to produce 60-100 million tonnes of coal per annum.

More jobs and opportunities

When these new mines are at full production, Abbot Point will be a high activity centre, with more jobs and opportunities for career development for those seeking to once again be a part of the Queensland mining success story.

Galilee Basin coal deposits are reportedly as big as the UK. Coal is located close to the surface to allow for efficient stripping of the overburden to get to the coal. The Adani Carmichael mine itself has 3 open-cut mines proposed as well as 3 underground longwalls.

Contractors compete for the project

The Expression of Interest to shortlist contractors closes on July 13. Those successful contractors will be invited to go through the tender process, with the second half of 2015 being a time frame to get things moving.

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