After years of being put on hold, New Hope Corporation’s New Acland Stage 3 project is on the fast track to redevelopment.
The Queensland Government Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water has granted the mine a Stage 3 Associated Water Licence, the last restriction to be cleared.
It follows the Land Court process, the Coordinator General’s extensive consultation process, and the separate independent assessments of the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the Minister for Resources.
New Hope now holds all the primary approvals required to enable resumption of mining operations at New Acland.
Company chair Robert Millner said it was a defining moment for the company.
“New Hope and the local communities around Acland and Oakey are celebrating that New Hope can now re-start the New Acland mine where there has been mining activity for over 100 years,” he said.
“New Acland Stage 3 stacks up environmentally, socially and financially and is consistent with and delivers on the Queensland Government’s Resources Industry Development Plan.
“lt was almost 12 months ago that the Land Court of Queensland completed an extensive hearing and recommended the grant of the mining leases and environmental authority for the mine.
“Since then, various Queensland Government departments have undertaken their own extensive reviews and all have granted the necessary approvals for Stage 3 to progress.
“New Acland Stage 3 will secure jobs in the region and provide significant economic benefits for Queensland.”