900 jobs for Bowen Basin
BY ELIZABETH FABRI QCOAL will soon begin construction at its $1.76 billion majority-owned Byerwen coal project in North East Queensland after receiving State Government approval last month to develop two of its tenements. The joint venture project between QCoal (85 per cent) and JFE Steel Corporation (15 per cent) was set to generate 350 construction jobs at peak, and a further 545 jobs once operational. The open-cut mine would produce up to 10 million tonnes of high-quality coking and thermal coal per annum, which would be railed to Abbot Point Coal Terminal for overseas export. QLD natural resources and mines minister Anthony Lynham welcomed the investment in the State’s resources sector. “It’s particularly good news for locals, as the proponent has…