Boundary Hill South project
The EIS process for this project has now concluded.
Project summary
Anglo American’s Anglo Coal (Callide Management) Pty Ltd, on behalf of the joint venture partners Anglo Coal (Callide) Pty Ltd and Anglo Coal (Callide) No. 2 Pty Ltd, proposes to develop a new pit adjacent to the current Boundary Hill pit as part of the larger Callide Mine.
The proposed project would be located approximately 20km north of Biloela and 85km south-west of Gladstone. The existing Boundary Hill pit (one of four pits making up the existing Callide Mine operation) has a limited life with economic reserves expected to be exhausted by 2016. Beyond 2016, operations will significantly reduce at the existing Boundary Hill pit. The Boundary Hill South pit would be a replacement of the existing pit and would maintain the current mining rate of approximately 2.6 million tonnes per annum (Mt/y) of run of mine (ROM) coal and would maintain the total output from the Callide Mine of approximately 8.5Mt/y of ROM coal. The project would allow for mining at Boundary Hill South to continue at current production rates for an estimated 20 years.
On 18 August 2011, the proponent applied under section 70 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for approval to voluntary prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Boundary Hill South project. The application was approved on 2 September 2011.
On 23 May 2012, the Australian Government Environment Department determined the proposed project (EPBC 2012/6324) to be a controlled action 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, 20 and 20A (listed migratory species).
On 20 November 2012, the Australian Government Environment Department advised of their decision to accept a variation to proposal to take an action is made under section 156B of the EPBC Act that included the abandonment of MLA 80121 and the new MLA 80186.
On 17 October 2013, the Australian Government Environment Department determined that sections 24D and 24E (water resources) are also a controlling provision.
The assessment of the project has been completed under the Bilateral Agreement using the EIS prepared under the EP Act.
Documents
- EIS assessment report (April 2016)
- Final terms of reference (October 2012)
- Draft terms of reference (June 2012)
- Initial advice statement describing the project (May 2012)
Further information
For further information about the EIS process for the Boundary Hill South Lease Extension Project, contact the EIS coordinator on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email eis@detsi.qld.gov.au