Isaac Downs Extension project

Project overview

Current stage

Final Terms of Reference (TOR) issued – EIS in preparation.

Description

• Construction and operation of an open-cut coal mine south-west of the existing Isaac Downs Mine (IDM) extracting 2–4.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal.

Key features

• The project will be integrated into the Isaac Plains Complex (IPC), which currently includes the Isaac Plains Mine (IPM) and IDM.
• Existing infrastructure at the IPC will be used, 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.
• Operation within a project area of approximately 2,707 hectares.
• The same mining approach and type of equipment that is currently employed at the IPC will be used at the project.
• Water management infrastructure including multiple mine water dams, sediment dams and clean water dams.
• Water supply to the project will be via the Eungella Burdekin water supply pipeline under the current contract with SunWater.
• The project may result in a void post-mining with further details on rehabilitation and post-mining land use designation to be provided as part of the EIS.
• The project proposes a permanent diversion of Conrock Gully (Strahler stream order 2) and alteration of the floodplain post-mining.