A reopening mine has grown thanks to newly completed work.
New Hope Corporation (NHC) recently confirmed it would soon enter new territory at its $896 million New Acland Coal Stage 3 Expansion, 53km northwest of Toowoomba.
“The Lagoon Creek crossing is just about done … [and] this is the first big civil works part of the project, and this opens up to a whole new mining area,” New Acland mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer said in a video.
“We are really excited, we will be heading here in a few weeks’ time and will start work. It allows us to expand and we can bring more people on. There are [going to be] more jobs and more people onsite.”
Pentacon won the construction contract for the crossing, which includes a high water culvert to help mitigate floods.
“We used Boral from Oakey as our concrete supplier, Wagners from Toowoomba for steel, Protech for labour hire and Brooks Hire for plant and equipment. They have been really good,” superintendent Paul Cains can be heard saying in the video.
“It has been really good to work with Boral and Kat Concrete Pumping, another local business [too].”
Coops Construction supplied fuel, accommodation, paint, civil works, sand and gravel.
“We have bought new vehicles from the local Toyota dealer, machinery dealers and hire companies,” CEO Dave Cooper said.
NHC earlier revealed preparation work was underway for a train loadout facility, rail lines, roads, bridges, dams and other major infrastructure. Construction is expected to take two years to complete.
Clearing and topsoil removal began on 1 May 2023. Drill equipment has been mobilised. Mobile equipment maintenance is also well underway.
The $15 million coal handling and preparation plan refurbishment is expected to allow first coal washing soon.
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