New Acland Mine

New Acland Mine
Location
New Acland Mine Location in Australia 27.30°S 151.63°E / 27.3°S 151.63°E / -27.3; 151.63Coordinates: 27.30°S 151.63°E / 27.3°S 151.63°E / -27.3; 151.63
Location	Acland
State	Queensland
Country	Australia
Owner
Company	New Hope Coal
Production
Products	Thermal coal
History
Opened	2002

The New Acland Mine is located adjacent to Acland township, about 10 km north of Oakey on the Darling Downs in Queensland, Australia. It contains more than 500 million tonnes of coal that is removed by the open cut method. The mine is owned and operated by New Hope Coal and part of the Wallon Coal Measures. The mine began operations in 2002.^[1] It was officially opened on 13 March 2003 by Premier Peter Beattie.^[2] New Acland Mine supplies Swanbank Power Station, Tarong Power Station and both domestic and international markets.

To supply Tarong Power Station beyond 2010 the Queensland Government has indicated its preferred fuel source will be New Acland connected by a conveyor belt. Local reaction to property resumptions, workmen access and building activities was not well received.^[3]

Mine owners have been investigating the feasibility of a coal liquefaction and coal gasification processors at New Acland Mine.^[4]

Stage 2

Stage 2 of the mine was opened on the 21 March 2007 by Anna Bligh. A total of 300 staff were expected to be working at the New Acland Mine in 2009,^[5] producing 4.2 million tonnes of coal a year.^[6] 60% of the coal was exported.^[6]

Stage 3

In 2010, Stage 3 was undergoing an environmental impact assessment. This expansion will extend the operating life of the mine until about 2042.^[7] It is planned that annual production will rise to 7.5 million tonnes.^[6]

In preparation for the mine's expansion directly into the township of Acland most residents left to avoid the mine's ill effects.^[8] The last resident in the town, who has refused to leave, is Glenn Beutel.^[1] Some of the vacated houses will be used for operating purposes.

See also

Queensland portal

• Coal mining in Australia

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Norimitsu Onishi (28 June 2010). "Moving Out One by One as Australia Pursues Coal". New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/world/asia/29coal.html. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
2. ^ Peter Hackney (24 August 2010). "Fighting for Acland's survival". Daily Mercury (APN News & Media). http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/08/24/glen-beutel-Acland-New-Hope-Coal-mine/. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
3. ^ Residents angry at conveyer belt plans. ABC. 23 April 2007. Retrieved on 18 May 2007.
4. ^ Jame Freed (2008-09-24). "New Hope will share the loot". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital. http://business.smh.com.au/business/new-hope-will-share-the-loot-20080923-4mk5.html. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
5. ^ Madeleine Logan (16 February 2009). "Chance to strike ‘gold’ at coal mine". The Chronicle (APN News & Media). http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2009/02/16/chance-strike-gold-coal-mine/. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} Jamie Freed (24 September 2008). "New Hope will share the loot". Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/business/new-hope-will-share-the-loot/2008/09/24/1222193833562.html. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
7. ^ "New Acland Coal Mine - Stage 3 Expansion". Department of Infrastructure and Planning. http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/mining-and-mineral-processing/coal/new-acland-coal-mine-stage-3-expansion.html. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
8. ^ Francene Norton (15 February 2006). "Mine expansion sends Qld town packing". The World Today. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1570762.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-23.