“This world-class project will have a production life of almost 80 years,” Chairman and CEO Barry Tudor said. “There is no viable alternative to coking coal in the primary steel production process for the foreseeable future, and Olive Downs will be a major supplier to the world’s leading steel producers and as such, will be a valuable contributor to the Queensland and Australian economy for generations.”

Tudor also said Olive Downs will bring employment and other opportunities to the state’s regional communities. “Our focus is on workers living locally, including in the local economies of Moranbah, Nebo and Dysart, and hiring locally from the surrounding towns of Central Queensland,” he said. “There will be no fly-in, fly-out rosters.”

The first stage of the project will require capital expenditure of A$450 million and will produce 4.5 million metric tons per year (mt/y) of metallurgical-grade coal, which will be exported through the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. Pembroke awarded an A$184 million contract for the design and construction of a coal handling and preparation plant at Olive Downs, scheduled for commissioning in 2020.