Whitehaven Coal’s $1 billion Winchester South coal mine is a step closer, with the release of a draft environmental impact statement.

The metallurgical coal project, 30km south-east of Moranbah, is expected to create 500 construction jobs and 500 operational jobs once approved.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the mine would generate more than $500 million in royalties to be spent on Queensland schools, hospitals, and roads, as the Palaszczuk Government continued to implement its COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“This project will be a massive jobs and business boost for Central Queensland and the Isaac region particularly, with those benefits extending east to Mackay,” Mr Stewart said.

“Whitehaven Coal has a strong record of local employment and is committed to maintaining local employment here in Queensland.

“Ongoing investment in our resources sector continues to underpin Queensland’s economic recovery plan and prove that Queensland is the place to be when it comes to resources investment.”

Winchester South is expected to produce up to 11 million tonnes per annum of primarily high-quality metallurgical coal for steel manufacturing over a 30-year mine life.

Whitehaven Coal managing director and chief executive officer Paul Flynn welcomed the release of the EIS. 

“Since acquiring Winchester South in 2018, our team has developed a detailed project design that capitalises on the site’s position in a well-established coal region,” Mr Flynn. said

“As our first development in Queensland, we’ve built productive relationships with the community, local council, the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation, government, and other stakeholders, all of whom have been critical to developing the proposal.

“This project will support ongoing economic development in regional Queensland and importantly in the customer countries where the product will be used.

“We encourage any interested parties to have a say as part of this public notification process.”

The expected construction start date is in 2022/23.

Submissions are open until September 15 and the finalised EIS will then be provided to the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments for examination.

The EIS is available on the Co-ordinator General’s Winchester South project page.

• Businesses interested in supplying goods or services to the project are able to register HERE