Construction Completed on Middlemount Rail Spur
Construction has now been completed on a 16.5km rail spur directly linking the Middlemount Coal Project to the Goonyella rail network, enabling exports through Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT).
The commencement of rail haulage is a significant milestone for the Middlemount Project, a joint venture between Macarthur Coal and Gloucester Coal.
The rail spur’s completion also marks the first time in Queensland that a private company has delivered a privately-owned rail line that connects to the publicly-owned rail network.
Completion of the rail spur also marks the commencement of ongoing operations for the Middlemount Coal Project and the progressive ramp up of coal production.
Initial exports from the project will be via existing port capacity allocation at DBCT, however the project will have long-term port capacity access at Abbott Point following completion of the Northern Missing Link which is expected to be commissioned in January 2012.
Despite the project’s timing having been affected by the extensive wet season in 2010/2011, the Middlemount Early Rail Alliance (MERA), consisting of GHD and John Holland Group, completed construction of the rail spur one month ahead of the revised schedule.
The Environmental Impact Study process for the expansion of the Middlemount Coal Project from 1.8 million tonnes per annum to up to 5.4 million tonnes ROM has been completed and final approval for the increased production is expected by mid-2012 calendar year.
