A message from Peter Freyberg, Chief Executive Xstrata Coal

Xstrata Coal is the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal and a significant producer of premium quality hard coking coal and semi-soft coal.  Headquartered in Sydney, Xstrata Coal has interests in over 30 operating coal mines in Australia, South Africa and Colombia and an exploration project in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Xstrata Coal Queensland (XCQ), a subsidiary of Xstrata Coal, is committed to developing the Wandoan Coal Project and has commenced the first stages of the Project including publishing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and feasibility studies.  The EIS is a major step in the Project approval process. A final commitment to proceed with the Project will depend on port access at the time and the resolution of engineering studies, geological investigation, community and environmental considerations and the marketability of the product.

If the Wandoan Coal Project proceeds, it will provide significant opportunities for Queensland's economy, with new employment, infrastructure and export revenue.  It will also provide great benefits to the local communities including jobs, training, business opportunities and upgraded local services.

Peter Freyberg
Chief Executive
Xstrata Coal

A joint message from Steve Bridger, Executive General Manager, Wandoan Coal Project and Bill McKinstrey, General Manager, Southern Region

The Wandoan Coal Project is an example of XCQ’s commitment to regional development and progressing potential mine projects throughout the state. Working closely with the local community and all levels of government, XCQ has conducted an EIS and feasibility studies, to determine if the Project has the potential to become a coal mining operation.

If it does, the operation will provide impetus for ongoing major investment and development of the Surat Basin.  In particular, development of the Wandoan coal mine will drive construction of the Surat Basin Rail to the Port of Gladstone and the potential new port developments at Wiggins Island and Balaclava Island. Together these projects will open up an estimated four billion tonnes of thermal coal in the Surat Basin for development and export.

A decision to proceed with the mine development is not expected until after the resolution of the environmental and planning assessment process and a decision by the Queensland Government. If the development is approved, the end result will be an open-cut coal mine producing approximately 30 million tonnes a year of run of mine coal, with an expected mine life of 30 years. This is certain to provide many positive outcomes on a local, regional, state and national level.