Australia Trade minister welcomes green nod to Adani mining & rail project

Carmichael Coal Mine spread over 44,700 hectares and 189 km rail project will have an operating life of 90 years

Australia's Trade and Investment minister Andrew Robb on Tuesday welcomed the decision to grant environmental approval to Adani Mining's A$16.5 billion (US$15.5 billion) Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Infrastructure project in Queensland.

Adani Group, through its Australian subsidiary Adani Mining Pty Ltd, in mid-2010 had proposed to develop a 60 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) thermal coal mine in the north Galilee Basin in Central Queensland. All coal will be railed via a privately owned rail line and shipped through coal terminal facilities at the Port of Abbot Point and/or the Port of Hay Point (Dudgeon Point expansion). The Carmichael Coal Mine spread over area of approximately 44,700 hectares and 189 km rail project will have an operating life of approximately 90 years.

"This is an outstanding project that demonstrates the enormous potential that remains in Australian resources and energy in this case coal to help drive continued economic growth and job creation. It will help support the opening of Australia's first new mineral province in 40 years," Robb said in a statement.

"Adani is one of the world's major companies and their commitment to Australia is a strong endorsement that we are indeed open for business and welcome major foreign investment," he added.

"This project will also make a significant contribution in assisting India's continued economic development by providing affordable electricity to an estimated 100 million Indians," Robb said.

Australia's resources and energy sector, he said, has a very bright future and as a government we are determined to do everything we can to lock in these types of projects which represent decades of prosperity for our country.

Robb also lauded Environment Minister Greg Hunt for timely and responsible approach in assessing major projects.

"Environment Minister Greg Hunt should be commended for the timely, yet thorough and responsible approach he is taking in regard to the assessment of major projects, many of which stalled for years under Labour. The pro-investment attitude of the Queensland state government is also sending a very positive signal to international investors," Robb said.