Proposed Isaac Downs Extension Project—Draft terms of reference

Closed: 20 October 2025
Topic: Environmental licensing and regulation
Type: Public notice and consultation
Region: Mackay

Stanmore ID Extension Pty Ltd proposes to develop the Isaac Downs Extension project, an open-cut coal mine pit and associated infrastructure, mining approximately 2—4.5 million tonnes per year of run-of-mine coal over 15 years within an area of approximately 2,707 hectares. The project is within Mining Lease application (MLA) 700081, MLA 700082, MLA 700083 and MLA 700084 in the Bowen Basin. The project will result in approximately 30 Mt of primarily metallurgical coal product over the mining life.

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) – Section 42

Draft terms of reference for an environmental impact statement (EIS) Proposed Isaac Downs Extension Project

Stanmore ID Extension Pty Ltd (Stanmore ID Extension), a wholly owned subsidiary of Stanmore Resources Limited (Stanmore), proposes to develop the Isaac Downs Extension Project (the project). The project will extend the life of mining operations at Isaac Plains Complex (IPC) through the development of an open-cut coal mine pit and associated infrastructure. Approximately 46 million tonnes (Mt) of run of mine (ROM) coal will be mined over 15 years, which is approximately 2—4.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). The project will supply a total of approximately 30 Mt of primarily metallurgical coal product, at a rate of around 1.5—3 Mtpa. The project area comprises approximately 2,707 hectares within ML application (MLA) 700081, MLA 700082, MLA 700083 and MLA 700084. The project area would be located approximately 15 kilometres southeast of Moranbah within the Isaac Regional Council local government area.

The project would be integrated with the existing mining operations at IPC. The project would utilise existing surface infrastructure including the coal handling and processing plant (CHPP), rejects and tailings disposal in existing mining dumps and voids, train loading facility, rail loop, mine infrastructure area (MIA), internal haul roads, explosives magazine, and connections to raw water, power and communication supply. The project would also continue to utilise the same mining approach and type of equipment that is currently employed at the IPC.

On 16/05/2025 Stanmore ID Extension submitted an application for a voluntary EIS which was approved by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (the department) on the 17/06/2025.

The project was determined to be a controlled action (EPBC 2025/10183) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are sections 18 and 18A listed threatened species and communities, and sections 24D and 24E a 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.

Stanmore ID Extension submitted the draft terms of reference (TOR) for an EIS for the proposal to the department on 8/08/2025.

The draft TOR may be viewed on the Queensland Government Isaac Downs Extension EIS website or by emailing the proponent at environmental.approvals@stanmore.net.au

Written comments

The department’s chief executive invites written comments from any person in relation to the draft TOR, within the comment period from 8 September 2025 to 20 October 2025.

Please address written comments to:

The Chief Executive
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Attention: The EIS Coordinator (Isaac Downs Extension Project)
GPO Box 2454, Brisbane QLD 4001

or by email to eis@detsi.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@detsi.qld.gov.au.