Whitehaven Coal’s $1 billion Winchester South project has taken another leap forward, with the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation approving its environmental authority application.

“This is another important milestone for Whitehaven, for the people of Queensland and for our trading partners who rely on Australia’s high-quality metallurgical coal, which is essential for steel production,” the company said in a statement to the ASX this morning.

Located 30km south-east of Moranbah, the planned coal mine will produce up to 17 million tonnes per annum of run-of-mine (ROM) material.

The project has been declared a coordinated project, and in November last year the Queensland Coordinator General recommended the project proceed following an extensive assessment process.

Confirming the EA approval, a Department of Environment, Science and Innovation spokesperson said five submissions were received by the department – all of which were considered in the assessment process.

Submitters have the opportunity to object to the department’s decision and request that the project be referred to the Land Court. 

Acquired from Rio Tinto in 2018, Winchester South is adjacent to the Daunia metallurgical coal mine, which Whitehaven is acquiring from BMA.

This would provide opportunities for future synergies including potential integration of the operations, the company said.

Mackay Conservation Group climate campaigner Imogen Lindenberg described the State approval as being reckless in the extreme and said it flew in the face of the Queensland Government’s emissions reduction targets.

“The Queensland Government is undermining its own climate policies by approving massive new polluting coal mines. To reduce emissions, we need to urgently phase out fossil fuels, not open new coal mines that will pollute for decades to come,” she said.  

“We now call on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to refuse this project and not allow koala or glider habitat to be cleared for a climate-wrecking coal mine.

“Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has approved four new coal mines in the last year. This project is the ultimate test for the Albanese Labor Government on climate. If the Government is serious about climate action, they must stop approving new coal and gas projects, starting with Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South coal project.”   

• Story updated Feb 8 AM