Isaac Downs
Project Overview
Project Details
Overview
Stanmore proposes to develop the Isaac Downs Project, an open cut metallurgical coal mine expected to produce up to approximately 35Mt of ROM coal over 16 years.
Isaac Downs is located in the Bowen Basin coal field, approximately 145km south-west of Mackay and 10km south-east of Moranbah.
Isaac Downs will support stable employment and economic opportunities in Moranbah and the region by extending the life of the company’s assets at the Isaac Plains Complex. The project will limit its footprint by using Stanmore’s existing coal processing plant and rail infrastructure which links the mine to Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal.
The project will:
- Employ approximately 250 people during construction and approximately 300 people during operations. In addition, there will be opportunities for local employment in construction, transport and the supply of goods and services.
- Maintain a stable level of employment and economic activity in Moranbah and the region.
- Contribute significantly to the State's economy through more than $200 million of forecast coal royalties to the Queensland Government.
- Capitalise on existing infrastructure at Isaac Plains Complex, limiting the project's environmental footprint.
- Continue Stanmore Coal's commitment to progressive rehabilitation and environmental stewardship within the mine's operating footprint.
Approvals timeframe
Stanmore IP South Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Stanmore Coal) has prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act). Stanmore is currently assessing its response to public submissions. Stanmore IP South Pty Ltd has lodged mining lease applications and an environmental authority application to enable development of Isaac Downs.
Isaac Downs has been declared a Controlled Action by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy, which means the project will be assessed and approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Subject to all required approvals, construction and mining operations are expected to commence in 2021.
Social Impact Management Plan
The Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) was approved by the Office of the Coordinator General on 20 July 2021 along with our Local Content Strategy document.
Prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Isaac Downs project it addresses the requirements of the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017 outlining how benefits will be delivered to communities local to our mining operations.
Mining Lease applications
An application has been made for mining leases and an environmental authority for the Isaac Downs Project under the provisions of Mineral Resources Act 1989 and Environmental Protection Act 1994 for the mining/purpose of a metallurgical coal resource comprising a total of 35 million tonnes over a 16 year period, with associated infrastructure.
Environmental Authority Application
The proposed Isaac Downs Project is located approximately 10km south-east of Moranbah and 145km south-west of Mackay in the Bowen Basin coal field.
Existing approved infrastructure at the Isaac Plains Mine for coal processing, rejects management, coal railing power supply and water management will be utilised for this Project.
Notice of Environmental Impact Statement Isaac Downs Project
Environmental Protection Act 1994
- Sections 51 and 52
Notice of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Isaac Downs Project
The proposed Isaac Downs Project is an open cut steel making (metallurgical) coal project with total metallurgical coal resources of approximately 36 million tonnes.
Environmental Impact Statement
The company proposes to develop the Isaac Downs Project, an open cut steel making (metallurgical) coal project, mining over a 10 to 16 year period with a variable annual profile.
Located in the Bowen Basin coal field, Central Queensland, it is approximately 145 km south west of Mackay and 10 km south east of Moranbah.
Terms of Reference (TOR)
The Terms of Reference (TOR) document for the Isaac Downs Project will be used in conjunction with the environment impact statement (EIS) which will be submitted to the Department of Environment & Science (DES) as part of the project approvals process.
This document is also published on the DES website. You can access the TOR and more DES information about the approvals process by clicking the Read More button below.
Region
Multi – operation region
Incremental capacity increases available leading to a 'combined effect' in value
Stanmore footprint with a track record of sourcing, development, operating and rehabilitating
Development / Projects
Isaac Downs acquired in 2018.
Consenting and approvals underway
Majority semi-hard and PCI coking
coals for steel making
Isaac Plains South in exploration phase
Operations
Operations continue to expand such that in financial year FY20 ROM production was 3.0Mt and saleable coal was 2.4Mt.
Infrastructure / Equipment
100% owned CHPP
(coal handling preparation plant)
Rail loop and infrastructure areas with
3.5Mt ROM (run of mine) capacity