Published Yesterday at 09:15 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
The Honourable Dale Last
Major Central Queensland Coal Mine Extension Declared Coordinated Project
- Crisafulli Government backs coal jobs by declaring a major extension to the Centurion Mine a coordinated project.
- The $662 million Centurion North Development Project will deliver 525 jobs and is a major sign of investor confidence in Queensland mining.
- The project delivers a fresh start for Queensland with a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.
In a major vote of confidence in Queensland’s resources sector, the Crisafulli Government has declared the northern extension of Peabody’s Centurion Mine a coordinated project.
The move backs Queensland coal jobs and is a strong signal the resources sector is responding to the Crisafulli Government’s ‘open for business’ approach which is restoring investment certainty.
As the first proposed coal mine project declared a coordinated project by the Crisafulli Government, the proposed $662 million Centurion North Development project, located 40 kilometres north of Moranbah, will secure over 500 Central Queensland mining jobs.
The proposed development would extend mining from the southern area into the adjoining northern area as part of the full Centurion Mine plan, which is projected to export premium quality hard coking coal to steelmaking customers through to 2055.
The mine is expected to annually produce up to 7.1 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal and extract up to 10 petajoules of coal seam gas to safely manage underground methane levels, provide power to the mine and boost Queensland gas supply.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the declaration demonstrated the global demand for investing in Queensland’s world-class coal resource and industry’s enthusiasm to partner with the Crisafulli Government to fast-track approvals.
“After Labor’s decade of decline, the Crisafulli Government is supercharging job-creating economic development in our mining sector across regional Queensland,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“While Labor continues to attack Queensland coal jobs, we are partnering with industry to unlock more investment and jobs with faster approvals and investment certainty.
“Labor even voted against the energy roadmap in Parliament last week, showing regional Queenslanders they’ve rejected coal for longer.
“This coordinated project declaration of Peabody’s Centurion Mine extension demonstrates Queensland’s resources industry is well and truly open for business under the Crisafulli Government.
“This declaration will fast-track approvals by delivering a coordinated, whole-of-government streamlined assessment process to manage the project.”
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the Centurion North Development Project would support Queensland’s long-term economic growth.
“After Labor’s anti-mining policies put Queensland jobs at risk, the Crisafulli Government is fast-tracking approvals, coordinating decision making and sending investors a clear message that Queensland is open for business,” Minister Last said.
“This project is a major vote of confidence in our world-class coal industry that delivers certainty and security to more than 500 Queensland mining families.
“Our message to industry is clear: if you’re willing to invest in Queensland and create regional jobs, we’ll give you the certainty you need to get on with it.”
Queensland’s Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan highlighted the significance of the coordinated project process.
“This declaration will ensure a comprehensive assessment of the project’s environmental, social, and economic impacts,” Mr Coggan said.
“My office will work with Peabody to ensure all approvals required for this project are achieved on time.”
Peabody’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Grech welcomed the declaration, describing it as a significant milestone in the company’s further development of Centurion Mine.
“We thank the Crisafulli Government for recognising the strategic importance of this cornerstone steelmaking coal project, which builds on the planned February 2026 startup of longwall production for Centurion’s southern district,” Mr Grech said.
“Steelmaking coal remains essential for producing the steel that underpins modern life, from homes and bridges to hospitals and renewable energy infrastructure.
“Centurion is also advancing our safety and sustainability commitments by extracting coal seam gas ahead of mining to improve safety and cut emissions, reusing the gas to power the operations and converting surplus into LNG to boost regional supply.”
ENDS