The project entails developing open-cast and underground pits to extract thermal coal during the next 60 years, construction of a 388km heavy-haul railway from the Galilee Basin to a new terminal at Abbot Point near Bowen between Townsville and Mackay. The railway will carry up to 60 million tonnes of coal a year, and will be the first major standard-gauge line to be built in Queensland which has a 1067mm-gauge network.
Adani Mining expects to sign a final contract by the end of the year with Posco E&C, Korea, to build the new line, which should enable construction to start early next year.
