
Coal in Northern and Central Queensland: Exploration aplenty
QUEENSLAND is renowned for its coal mining industry, which generates billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs for Australians. Now the state’s coal mining industry is about to enter a new era of growth, after the Queensland government opened up 7000sq km of land in its Bowen and Surat coal basins to fresh exploration activity for coal and gas. Mining companies have been invited to stake their claim in the exploration territory to sow the seeds for the next generation of resources projects. Queensland Member of Parliament for the Mackay constituency, Julieanne Gilbert, said the exploration program could result in significant job opportunities. “Two areas in the highly prospective Bowen Basin have been earmarked for metallurgical coal –...