QRC welcomes State Govt approval of metallurgical coal mine extension in Central Qld
28 Jul 2021
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) today welcomed the State Government’s decision to approve an $82 million extension to the Isaac Plains metallurgical coal mine near Moranbah, calling it a huge vote of confidence in Queensland’s high quality coking coal industry.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said metallurgical coal prices were currently at record highs due to a surge in world steel production.
According to the latest Resources and Energy Quarterly report, the value of Australian metallurgical coal exports is forecast to reach almost $32 billion by 2022-23.
Volume-wise, exports of metallurgical coal are expected to increase from 171 million tonnes to 186 million tonnes by 2022-23 due to increased demand from rapidly modernising South-East Asian economies.
Mr Macfarlane said mine owner Stanmore Resources’ plans to expand output from its Isaac Plains complex was great news for every Queenslander, with its new open cut mine project expected to contribute $200 million in royalties to the state budget over its 10-year life span.
“Mining royalties help pay for the essential government services that every Queenslander needs and benefits from,” he said.
Source : https://www.miragenews.com