Olive Downs officially opened, next stage touted

The country’s newest metallurgical coal mine is to be officially opened today (Friday 19Apr). Pembroke Resources chief executive officer Barry Tudor. With more than 500 million tonnes of reserves and up to 79 years of mine life, stage one of the Olive Downs complex is delivering six million tonnes of run-of-mine coal a year. Main image: The Olive Downs complex There were additional project components to support the approved capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum, the company said. They applied a fresh approach to the development of the complex to 'exceed contemporary expectations of environmental management, conservation, emissions reduction, social responsibility and governance' Pembroke Resources chairman and chief executive officer Barry Tudor said. “The Olive Downs Complex was the first mine to be approved under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act, the first to build an integrated campus, the first with a three-phase vegetation clearing protocol, and the first steelmaking coal mine in the world to implement CAT Command autonomous control for trucks and drills at the same site,” Mr Tudor said. The project stacked up environmentally, socially and financially, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said. “I was here two years ago as we turned the first sod on the Olive Downs project and it’s great to be here to see the mine officially open,” Mr Stewart said. “... Olive Downs ticks all those boxes. “I want to congratulate Pembroke Resources and acknowledge that by building this mine they are backing Queensland’s resources sector for decades to come.” The first coal from Olive Downs was shipped in January. Stage one of the operation created 700 jobs in construction and 600 new jobs. Pembroke has spent more than $1 billion on the project acquisition and development including more than $60 million on local and regional suppliers, which involved 40 local businesses. The mine would generate more than $10 billion in royalties for the Queensland Government over its life, the company said. The company was already looking to expand, Mr Tudor said. “Customer demand for the Olive Downs’ high quality steelmaking coal product is very strong. We are now focused on the next stage of expansion where we will double production as soon as possible," he said. “Our approach continues to partner with government at all levels and the local community to create sustainable and long-term economic opportunity through job creation, economic diversification and direct community support. ESG Investment In addition to its economic impact, the company said Olive Downs was delivering industry-leading environmental performance. Koalas treated by the Olive Downs based vet Pembroke Resources has acquired more than 40,000ha of land within and adjacent to the resource development zone utilised as a broad campus. “On the complex, Olive Downs has implemented a three-stage protocol involving three thorough checks for wildlife in the clearing process, employing teams of specially trained ‘spotter catchers’, drones and elevated work platforms and a dedicated Koala and Greater Glider Clinic staffed by specialist wildlife veterinarians and ecologists, focused on research, preservation and protection of these endangered species.” Dignitaries represented at the event today include Federal Shadow Minister for Resources Senator Susan McDonald, Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, Senator Matthew Canavan and Queensland Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last.

Olive Downs officially opened, next stage touted

Industry Queensland

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