May 8, 2017 - New Hope Group has secured approval from the Queensland, Australia Government for its A$300m ($222m) Colton Coal mine project. 

The open-cut coking coal project 10km north-east of Maryborough has been granted three mining lease approvals and is expected to create 120 new jobs. 

Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said: “The project has been through a rigorous assessment process, including public objections and Land Court hearings.

“The mine has strict conditions governing water releases to protect the Mary River catchment, and to limit noise and dust.”

The estimated production capacity of the mine is around half a million tonnes of high-grade coking coal per annum, which will be transported 270km by rail to Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal at Gladstone.

"In order to secure the leases, New Hope had to meet strict environmental, financial and technical capability and public interest requirements."

With a production life of eight to ten years, the project comprises a coal handling and preparation plant, workshops, offices and a haul road.

Lynham added: “The company now has to provide a plan of operations and financial assurance to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection for work to start on site.” 

In order to secure the leases, New Hope had to meet strict environmental, financial and technical capability and public interest requirements, as well as address native title issues with traditional owners. 

The company already operates the New Acland mine, north of Oakey on the Darling Downs and the Jeebropilly mine near Ipswich, in Queensland.