Work on Adani mine could begin in 3 weeks

ADANI could begin building its Carmichael coal mine in just three weeks, with the company committing to sift through 19,000 resumes from Queenslanders keen for work.

The Palaszczuk Government yesterday gave itself until June 13 – two days after the State Budget is handed down – to finish two outstanding environmental approvals and give the red or green light to the controversial mine.

But as proponents expressed relief at finally being given an end date, the timeline spawned a reinvigorated Greens push to unseat Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday hailed the co-ordinator-general’s deadlines of May 31 for the BlackThroated Finch Management Plan and June 13 for the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan as a “breakthrough” after declaring on Wednesday she was “fed up” with her own Government’s delays.

Further rolling deadlines from June to September are set for leases and licences allowing rail construction and operation, a workers’ camp and airport, and the finalisation of a royalties agreement.

Adani chief executive Lucas Dow said workers and equipment were already on site and construction of the mine and railway could begin within days of final approval being granted.

Nearly 19,000 workers have applied for the estimated 1500 construction and ramp jobs expected to be created during the next two years.

“We’ll be engaging with people, our contractors and people that have provided expressions of interest,” Mr Dow said after the government announcement.

He said Adani had a “key commitment” not to use foreign workers.

He said it would focus on hiring from major towns around the mine.