MORANBAH AMMONIUM NITRATE PROJECT TO GO AHEAD
Published Monday, 14 May, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
13 May 2007
Signing of the Coordinator-General’s report has given Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific’s proposed $520 million Moranbah Ammonium Nitrate Project the green light to go ahead, Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said today.
Ms Bligh said Dyno Nobel, the world’s second largest manufacturer of explosive products, will construct and operate the Moranbah plant producing up to 330,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate per year.
“The large scale manufacturing project, located within the northern Bowen Basin, will bring enormous benefits to Moranbah and is expected to be the catalyst for the transformation of the region’s economy,” Ms Bligh said.
“Employment for up to 600 people will be generated during peak construction, with 90 jobs available once operational.
“This project, and other value adding opportunities it may attract, means Moranbah is developing an industrial base and will move beyond servicing of coal mines in the northern Bowen Basin.
“This new supply provides a solid platform for the continued strong growth of mining activity and its associated royalties and revenues to Queensland.
“The plant will also allow Dyno Nobel to replace imported product with locally manufactured product to meet increasing demand. A great outcome on all levels - nationally, state-wide and locally.
“This will ensure downstream customers in the Queensland mining industry will have a highly reliable supply of high quality locally manufactured explosives.
“This project has been made possible by the availability of critical water and gas infrastructure,” Ms Bligh said.
The plant will use local coal seam gas and water from the Burdekin to Moranbah water pipeline currently under construction.
“It is important to recognise that the Impact assessment for this project has had a sharp eye to the problems of doing business and living in an infrastructure-stressed regional centre like Moranbah.
“By locating ammonium nitrate manufacturing closer to its major mine customers, Dyno Nobel has very substantially reduced the road transport impact of its operations on the State Road network.” Ms Bligh said.
“Specific mitigation measures have been developed to address project impacts on town water supply, roads and housing.”
Ms Bligh also highlighted the company’s commitment to providing permanent housing for its workforce.
“Dyno Nobel will construct up to 70 new dwellings for its employees and their dependants, which will further support the growth of the Moranbah community,” she said.
The Coordinator-General’s report recommends conditions for a development approval for the Project and is now available for viewing on the Department of Infrastructure website at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au.
Media contacts: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900
Signing of the Coordinator-General’s report has given Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific’s proposed $520 million Moranbah Ammonium Nitrate Project the green light to go ahead, Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said today.
Ms Bligh said Dyno Nobel, the world’s second largest manufacturer of explosive products, will construct and operate the Moranbah plant producing up to 330,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate per year.
“The large scale manufacturing project, located within the northern Bowen Basin, will bring enormous benefits to Moranbah and is expected to be the catalyst for the transformation of the region’s economy,” Ms Bligh said.
“Employment for up to 600 people will be generated during peak construction, with 90 jobs available once operational.
“This project, and other value adding opportunities it may attract, means Moranbah is developing an industrial base and will move beyond servicing of coal mines in the northern Bowen Basin.
“This new supply provides a solid platform for the continued strong growth of mining activity and its associated royalties and revenues to Queensland.
“The plant will also allow Dyno Nobel to replace imported product with locally manufactured product to meet increasing demand. A great outcome on all levels - nationally, state-wide and locally.
“This will ensure downstream customers in the Queensland mining industry will have a highly reliable supply of high quality locally manufactured explosives.
“This project has been made possible by the availability of critical water and gas infrastructure,” Ms Bligh said.
The plant will use local coal seam gas and water from the Burdekin to Moranbah water pipeline currently under construction.
“It is important to recognise that the Impact assessment for this project has had a sharp eye to the problems of doing business and living in an infrastructure-stressed regional centre like Moranbah.
“By locating ammonium nitrate manufacturing closer to its major mine customers, Dyno Nobel has very substantially reduced the road transport impact of its operations on the State Road network.” Ms Bligh said.
“Specific mitigation measures have been developed to address project impacts on town water supply, roads and housing.”
Ms Bligh also highlighted the company’s commitment to providing permanent housing for its workforce.
“Dyno Nobel will construct up to 70 new dwellings for its employees and their dependants, which will further support the growth of the Moranbah community,” she said.
The Coordinator-General’s report recommends conditions for a development approval for the Project and is now available for viewing on the Department of Infrastructure website at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au.
Media contacts: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900