THE ADANI PROJECT AND QUEENSLAND
Indian multinational conglomerate Adani Group has officially approved the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project, with pre-construction expected to begin in the September quarter.
WHAT IS IT?
- A 45km open cut and underground coal mine in the Galilee Basin, including six open-cut pits and five underground mines
- It will be the largest coal mine in Australia and one of the biggest in the world
- Will operate for 50 to 60 years
WHAT IS THE RAIL LINE?
- Almost 390 kilometres of rail line to be built, including approximately 310km connecting the northern Galilee Basin to the Port of Abbot Point
- Coal trains to run 24/7
HOW MUCH MONEY IS INVOLVED?
- The project is forecast to cost $21.7 billion
- Adani has applied for $900 million in loans under the federal government's independent Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility
- Expected to generate $203 million per year in direct and indirect impacts across Queensland during construction and $274 million once production starts
- Australia's big four banks have distanced themselves from the project
JOBS
- 10,000 jobs (direct/indirect) over the course of 25 years
- Includes workers' village with a capacity of up to 2000 beds
- Driverless trucks will be used to shift the coal
- Adani say no 457 visas will be used
WHAT IS ADANI SAYING?
- Townsville to become Adani's regional mining headquarters
- Mackay-Bowen area to become regional headquarters for rail and port operations
- Townsville and Rockhampton shortlisted for fly-in, fly-out base
WHAT IS THE QLD GOVERNMENT SAYING?
- Adani will be allowed to defer mining royalties during the early years of production, but will need to pay the money back with interest
- The project will pave the way for further developments in the Galilee Basin, creating thousands of jobs
WHAT DO OPPONENTS AND ACTIVISTS SAY?
- Greens say mine will condemn Great Barrier Reef to worse bleaching
- Jeopardises 70,000 jobs associated with the reef
- The project affects four native title/Aboriginal party areas
- Government has ignored claims Adani Group overlooked ecological issues in India
- Project will destroy indigenous land rights
- Approving the coal mine is incompatible with Australia's commitment to the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change.
