Oz approval for port work in Queensland to benefit Adani, GVK

Australia has given the green signal for port-related works in Queensland, a development that will benefit Indian companies GVK and Adani Group which are developing coal mines and related rail and port infrastructure in that country.

 

According to a statement issued by Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt, the ministry has cleared Adani's T0 project and capital dredging programme for the proposed Terminals 0, 2 and 3 at the Port of Abbot Point.

 

GVK owns T3 terminal while Adani Group is the owner of T0 terminal at Abbot Point port.

 

Adani is in the process of developing Carmichael Coal Mine and related rail and port infrastructure, while GVK is in the advanced stage of getting various clearances for its three Coal projects and related infrastructure projects. Both the projects are located in Galilee Basin in Queensland.

 

"Some of the strictest conditions in Australian history have been placed on these projects to ensure that any impacts are avoided, mitigated or offset. Some of these include.... 150 pc net benefit requirement for water quality. The result will be a long-term net reduction of fine sediments entering the Marine Park from land-based sources, well beyond the life of the projects," Hunt said in the statement.

 

GVK said here that the development is vital for the company as the dredging is a sensitive issue and forms part of the final approvals for the port.

 

"Achieving this final environmental approval from the Federal Government is a significant milestone towards the development of GVK Hancock's Terminal 3 (T3) port facilities and Galilee Basin coal assets including the Alpha, Alpha West and Kevin Corner Coal Projects along with the construction of a rail solution to  Abbot Point port," GVK said in statement.

 

Adani's proposed Carmichael Mine and Rail Project would consist of 300km of standard gauge line with an operational capacity to transport 100Mtpa of coal and connect the Galilee Basin with the Port of Abbot Point.

 

Adani officials were not available for comments.

 

Adani is planning to develop a 60 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) thermal coal mine in the north Galilee Basin in the Central Queensland.

 

All the coal will be railed via a privately-owned rail line connecting to the existing Aurizon rail infrastructure near Moranbah, and shipped through coal terminal facilities at the Port of Abbot Point and/or the Port of Hay Point (Dudgeon Point expansion), according to Adani Group website.