Clermont mine

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The Clermont mine is an open cut coal mine currently under construction. It is located located 12 km north west of the township of Clermont in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland. Rio Tinto states on its website that "when the mine reaches full capacity (expected in 2013) it will produce up to 12.2 million tonnes of thermal coal for international markets." Rio Tinto, which has a 50.1 per cent interest in the mine.

Rio Tinto states that the "deposit holds 190 million tonnes of thermal coal, and the mine has an expected life of 17 years."

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Background

On its website, Rio Tinto states that the mine will employ approximately 380 people.

"The Clermont deposit is contained within the Wolfang Basin, on the western margin of the Bowen Basin, a significant Permian coal basin stretching 600 km long and 250km wide. The major seam, named Wolfang, constitutes 90 per cent of the deposits' reserves and has an average thickness of 45 metres. When the mine reaches full capacity, scheduled for 2013, it will produce up to 12.2 million tonnes of thermal coal per annum. After being washed and prepared for sale, the coal will be transported by conveyor to stockpile and rail facilities at the nearby Blair Athol Mine. From there, it will be loaded onto trains for transportation 278 kilometres to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal where it will be shipped to international customers. Clermont Mine has marketable reserves of 189 million tonnes as at 31 December 2008."

Joint venture

Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages the operation on behalf of the joint venture partners. Rio Tinto Coal Australia holds a 51.1% share in the project with Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd holding a 31.4 per cent share, J-Power Australia Pty. Ltd. holding a 15 per cent share and J.C.D. Australia Pty. Ltd. with 3.5 per cent.

Articles and Resources

Related SourceWatch Articles

• Australia and coal
• Queensland and coal
• Rio Tinto's coal interests

External resources

Queensland Government

• Department of Infrastructure and Planning, "Projects: Clermont Coal Mine", Department of Infrastructure and Planning website, accessed August 2010.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia

• Rio Tinto Coal Australia, "Clermont Mine", Rio Tinto Coal Australia website. This website has copies of Rio Tinto Coal Australia's fact sheet on the project, copies of the Clermont Conveyor from 2007 to late 2009, documents from the Community reference group (CRG),Community consultative committee (CCC) and guidelines on the Community Development Fund.