Glencore’s $1.5 billion Valeria coal project in the Bowen Basin has been declared a coordinated project by Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General.

A construction workforce of up to 1400 people is expected to be required for the project, and Glencore expects the mine to have an operational workforce of up to 950 people (fulltime equivalent).

State Regional Development Minister Glenn Butcher said the coordinated project declaration would help get jobs happening earlier.

“While the coronavirus pandemic is putting pressure on our economy, this project shows that major companies are still keen to invest and back jobs,” Mr Butcher said.

“Through my department of Regional Development, we are working with industry stakeholders to support economic recovery and major projects like this show Queensland business there will be many opportunities in the future.”

Valeria would be a large-scale open-cut mining operation producing up to
20 million tonnes per annum run of mine (ROM) metallurgical and thermal coal for a period of 35 years.

The project is located about 27km north-west of Emerald and 8km south-west of Capella in the Central Highlands region.

Glencore lodged an initial advice statement for the project last month, estimating the capital cost for Valeria’s development at $1 billion to $1.5 billion.

Subject to approvals, construction of mine infrastructure is scheduled to commence in 2024, with production proposed to kick off about 2026.

The Coordinator-General will now prepare draft terms of reference for the environmental impact statement and invite community input.