(EnergyAsia, June 5 2012, Tuesday) — Australia’s MetroCoal Limited said the Queensland state government has declared its Tenement to Terminal Limited’s (3TL’s) Yarwun coal terminal project at Gladstone a ‘significant project.’ 3TL is 20%-owned by MetroCoal Limited.

The declaration means that approvals for the project will be assessed using a more streamlined whole-of-government approach, managed by the Queensland Coordinator-General.

The timely development of the terminal is vital for MetroCoal’s Bundi and Columboola mining joint ventures in the Surat Basin as it offers direct port access to export markets.

Describing the declaration as an important milestone for the Bundi and Columboola projects, MetroCoal CEO Mike O’Brien said:

“This declaration is a significant step forward for the economic viability of MetroCoal’s Surat Basin project areas, which will be enhanced via the construction of planned rail and port infrastructure.

“It recognises the importance of our projects for the future prosperity of Queensland and will ensure that the government assesses 3TL’s proposal using an appropriate level of resources and coordination.”

MetroCoal said it has been advised that the Yarwun project will be the first to have its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) terms of reference issued at the same time as the Coordinator-General’s declaration which provides an early indication of the scope of the detailed studies to be undertaken for the EIS.

That scope will be finalised after public advertising and comments on the draft terms of reference. This innovation will expedite the first stage of the approvals process.

Separately, MetroCoal said 3TL’s proposed port construction time-table fits very well with its plans. 3TL expects the final investment decision to be made by December, 2014 leading to construction of the first stage of the terminal with an annual capacity to handle up to 25 million tonnes.

Commissioning of the first stage is planned for 2017/2018, leaving open the possibility for stages two and three, each with a further 25 million tonnes capacity.