Proposed Kestrel West Mine Extension Project—Draft terms of reference

Closed
2 September 2024
Topic
Environmental licensing and regulation
Type
Public notice and consultation
Region
Capricorn

Kestrel Coal Resources Pty Ltd proposes to develop an extension to the existing Kestrel underground coal mine using longwall mining methods. The project would extract up to 11 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal which equates to 8.6 Mtpa of primarily metallurgical coal product for export markets over approximately 20 years. The project area would be approximately 5,644 hectares covered by Mineral Development Licence (MDL) 182 and existing approved mining leases (ML) 70301, ML 70481 and ML 1987.

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
Public Notice
Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) – Section 42
Draft terms of reference for an environmental impact statement (EIS) - Proposed Kestrel West Mine Extension

Kestrel Coal Resources Pty Ltd (Kestrel) proposes to develop the Kestrel West Mine Extension Project which would be an extension and direct continuation of the existing Kestrel underground coal mine. The proposed Project area comprises approximately 5,644 hectares within mineral development licence (MDL) 182 and existing approved mining leases (ML) 70301, ML 70481, and ML 1978. The proposed Project would also involve full utilisation of the existing approved Co-Disposal Area (CDA) footprint, along with a potential extension of the CDA facilities located on ML 1978. The proposed Project area is located approximately 40 kilometres north-east of Emerald within the Central Highlands Regional Council local government area. The proposed Project is within the Brigalow Belt bioregion within the Nogoa River sub-basin of the broader Fitzroy River Basin.

The proposed Project would have a mine life of approximately 20 years and would maintain annual production rates of the existing Kestrel Mine until approximately 2050. The proposed Project would involve extraction of between 9.0 and 11 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal equating to between 7.0 and 8.6 Mtpa of primarily metallurgical coal product for export markets.

The proposed Project would utilise the existing surface facilities, including administration and maintenance buildings, surface access roads, coal stockpiles and overland conveyor, Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP), water infrastructure and train loadout facilities. The proposed Project would also continue to utilise the same mining approach and type of equipment for the development of underground roadways and to setup longwall production faces.

On 6/12/2023 Kestrel submitted a Voluntary EIS application which was approved by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) on 05/03/2024.

The Project was determined to be a controlled action (EPBC 2024/09792) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are sections 12 and 15A World Heritage properties, sections 15B and 15C National Heritage places, sections 18 and 18A listed threatened species and communities, sections 24B and 24C Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and sections 24D and 24E water resource, in relation to unconventional gas development and large coal mining development. The EIS process will assess potential impacts of the project on the controlling provisions as an accredited assessment process under section 87(4) of the EPBC Act.

Kestrel submitted the draft terms of reference (TOR) for an EIS for the proposal to DESI on 21/06/2024.

The draft TOR, initial advice statement (IAS) and comments template may be viewed on the Queensland Government website at www.qld.gov.au (search for Kestrel West EIS) or by emailing the proponent at info@kestrelcoal.com.

Written comments

The department’s chief executive invites written comments from any person in relation to the draft TOR, within the comment period from 22/07/2024 to 2/09/2024.

Please address written comments to:
The Chief Executive
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
Attention: The EIS Coordinator (Kestrel West Mine Extension)
GPO Box 2454, Brisbane QLD 4001
or by email to eis@des.qld.gov.au

Privacy statement

The department is collecting the information provided in comments for consideration in the EIS process. All comments (including names and addresses) will be provided to the proponent as required under section 44 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, so that they may consider them and provide a response to the department. This consultation is a public process, and any comments you provide may be published (including online) and may be transmitted outside of Australia. You may wish to bear this in mind when providing your comments. Your information will not be disclosed by the department to any other parties unless authorised or required by law.

When the EIS is released, public submissions will be invited. For further information about the EIS process for this proposal, contact the EIS coordinator on 13QGOV (13 74 68) or email eis@des.qld.gov.au