A bid by Stanmore Resources to access an envelope of land at South Walker Creek for future mining and a planned 20MW gas-fired power plant has hit a key point in the approvals process.
Notice of its application for additional surface area for mining lease 4750 has been published, with objections due by February 7.
The company’s mining lease application flags its plans for the installation of gas drainage wells and potential construction of a gas-fired power station in the area in question.
Related: Power plant planned for South Walker Creek
It is also looking to carry out exploration drilling, resource definition, and mine planning for a future open-cut pit expansion.
Supporting documents show Stanmore would begin exploration and installation of gas wells immediately after gaining approval, while any open-cut mining in the area is expected to happen after 2030.
ML 4750 is one of three mining leases that underpin the South Walker Creek operation, about 44km east of Moranbah.
Stanmore describes the area at the centre of its application (ASAA9 – Additional Surface Area Application 9) as a future open-cut extension of South Walker Creek mine and a potential distant future underground mine.
‘In addition to this, Stanmore wishes to develop an operational gas field to power a 20MW gas-fired power station to abate fugitive emissions and provide baseload power to the mine,’ it states in an executive summary.
‘The new SWC Gas Abatement Project plans to pre-drain the ASAA9 ahead of future mining operations.
‘This project hinges on successful permeability studies through test wells, for which access to the area is also required. The targets are MT1, MB2 and HY seams of the Rangal Coal Measures. Upon a successful result, Stanmore will build a 20MW power station, supporting infrastructure and install a series of dual lateral wells to supply fuel, progressing from the initial 2 wells up to 13 wells over the planned 15-year lifespan of the project.’
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