The withdrawal followed discussions between both parties where New Hope Group confirmed the mining of overburden and coal from the yet to be developed Manning Vale West Pit is not expected before 1 September 2024 under the mine’s existing Stage 3 ramp-up plan.
The outcome means the threat of OCAA mounting another legal challenge to delay the project has been removed for now, and allows New Hope Group to accelerate the mining activity already underway at Stage 3.
New Acland Mine General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said the withdrawal of OCAA’s stay application is a welcome outcome for the site’s 100+ workers.
“Resolving the stay application with OCAA means we can start digging coal from the Manning Vale East Pit which is the first area we have been developing since the Queensland Government approved the project in October last year,” Mr O’Dwyer said.
“We can also progress development of the planned adjacent Willeroo Pit and begin construction of the Lagoon Creek Crossing.
“While we have confirmed mining of overburden and coal in Manning Vale West Pit is not expected before 1 September 2024, we are able to undertake surface works, including the building of infrastructure, exploration and bore drilling on the site.
“Multiple Queensland Government Ministers, their respective departments and numerous independent experts have critically assessed and evaluated every aspect of the project and found New Acland MineStage 3 stacks up environmentally, socially and financially.
“OCAA’s withdrawal of the stay application allows us to extract coal with certainty while also having our day in Land Court to support the Queensland Government’s decision to approve Stage 3.”
There are currently more than a hundred local employees on site at New Acland Mine, with the number expected to grow as a result of the stay application withdrawal.
At the peak of construction, there will be approximately 600 local workers at New Acland Mine. Throughout the life of the project, the permanent workforce will be approximately 400 full-time roles, made up of Darling Downs locals.
Unlike a lot of other mines in Queensland, New Acland Mine does not engage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, with more than 90% of the current workforce living within 50km of the site.
Local workers, contractors and local businesses will benefit to the tune of $1billion over the life of the New Acland Stage 3 project.