| New Acland Mine | |
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| Location | |
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New Acland Mine
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| Location | Acland |
| State | Queensland |
| Country | Australia |
| Owner | |
| Company | New Hope Coal |
| Production | |
| Products | Thermal coal |
| History | |
| Opened | 2002 |
The New Acland Mine is located adjacent to Acland township, about 10 km north of Oakey on the Darling Downs in Queensland, Australia. It contains more than 500 million tonnes of coal that is removed by the open cut method. The mine is owned and operated by New Hope Coal and part of the Wallon Coal Measures. The mine began operations in 2002.[1] It was officially opened on 13 March 2003 by Premier Peter Beattie.[2] New Acland Mine supplies Swanbank Power Station, Tarong Power Station and both domestic and international markets.
To supply Tarong Power Station beyond 2010 the Queensland Government has indicated its preferred fuel source will be New Acland connected by a conveyor belt. Local reaction to property resumptions, workmen access and building activities was not well received.[3]
Mine owners have been investigating the feasibility of a coal liquefaction and coal gasification processors at New Acland Mine.[4]
Contents |
Stage 2 of the mine was opened on the 21 March 2007 by Anna Bligh. A total of 300 staff were expected to be working at the New Acland Mine in 2009,[5] producing 4.2 million tonnes of coal a year.[6] 60% of the coal was exported.[6]
In 2010, Stage 3 was undergoing an environmental impact assessment. This expansion will extend the operating life of the mine until about 2042.[7] It is planned that annual production will rise to 7.5 million tonnes.[6]
In preparation for the mine's expansion directly into the township of Acland most residents left to avoid the mine's ill effects.[8] The last resident in the town, who has refused to leave, is Glenn Beutel.[1] Some of the vacated houses will be used for operating purposes.