Adani gets nod for $2 bn rail project in Australia

The rail line will connect he Carmichael mine to the east coast port of Abbot Point

It has been raining good news for billionaire Gautam Adani promoted Adani Group as the Queensland state government in Australia has cleared the $2 billion North Galilee Basin Rail line project to be executed by the Groups’ subsidiary Adani Mining Pty Ltd. This development follows Australian Federal Government’s recent decision to give environmental approval to Adani Mining’s $15.5 billion Carmichael Coal Mine project in the Queensland state.

Following this Adani Mining will have to obtain environmental clearance from the federal government of Australia and other departments as per the procedure.

The North Galilee Basin Rail line project involves construction of 311.6 km railway line connecting the Carmichael coal mines and potentially other mines in the untapped Galilee Basin to the east coast port of Abbot Point. The proposed standard gauge greenfield rail line will be able to transport 100 million tonnes of coal per year.

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, has welcomed the decision. “The 300-km rail line will be a key link connecting the Carmichael coal mine west of Moranbah to the port of Abbot Point,” said Suckling in an official statement. “This is an important decision as it will enable the State to tap its rich resources potential. It signals that Australia welcomes investment by Indian companies and is open for business,” he said. “The decision also shows that comprehensive, robust and timely assessments can be undertaken on Australian resources projects,” Suckling added.

Barry Broe, coordinator general, government of Queensland, Australia, in his approval report has concluded, “The project will the project will deliver significant economic benefits to local, regional and state economies. The employment benefits generated by the project will be significant with an estimated 2017 construction jobs, 369 operational jobs and further indirect local, regional and indigenous employment expected to be generated.”

Last month Adani got environmental nod from the Australian government to develop a 60 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) thermal coal mine in the north Galilee Basin in Central Queensland.

All coal will be railed via a privately owned rail line and shipped through coal terminal facilities at the Port of Abbot Point and/or the Port of Hay Point (Dudgeon Point expansion).

The Carmichael Coal Mine spread over area of approximately 44,700 hectares and 189 km rail project will have an operating life of approximately 90 years.