Structural change to Adani plan

ADANI has applied to increase the export capacity of its coal terminal at Abbot Point, effectively delaying the need to construct a second terminal.

Documents submitted by Adani Abbot Point Terminal to the Queensland Government show the company wants to build a new conveyor and transfer tower, which would allow for an additional 10 million tonnes of coal to be transferred per year through the existing terminal, known as “T1”.

Adani eventually plans to export 90 million tonnes of coal through the port annually.

The company has approval to export 50 million tonnes through T1 and 40 million through the yet to be built “T0” terminal.

If approved, the new plan would result in 60 million tonnes through T1, reducing the need to build the T0 as quickly.

T1 is currently operating at about 28 million tonnes a year.

In the application, Adani also pro- posed to enhance the management of coal dust through the addition of stockpile dust suppression infrastructure.

“In the context of a land use application for an existing operating coal terminal, it is considered the environmental risks posed by the operational changes and the minor new optimised infrastructure have been appropriately identified and risk assessed.”

In a statement an Adani Abbot Point Terminal ( AAPT) spokeswoman said there would be no change to the overall capacity through the port precinct.

“AAPT has submitted a Material Change of Use application as part of feasibility studies to enhance the terminal’s capacity,” she said.

“This is part of normal business practice in managing capacity requests from all existing and prospective users of the terminal facilities.”

The construction of T0, which will require dredging and other capital works, would be deferred if the new application is approved.