BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has outlined an extension plan for the Saraji mine’s Grevillea pit.
The joint venture mines about 16Mtpa of run-of-mine (ROM) coal from multiple pits at the Saraji lease about 20km north of Dysart
BMA is looking at extending the Grevillea pit for decades in the face of expectations that current mining operations are forecast to exhaust resources (within ML 1782) during the 2025 financial year.
Its Grevillea Pit Continuation Project would extend the footprint of the pit to cover about 220ha, (beyond ML 1782 to the east into ML 700021). It has an estimated end date of 2055.
BMA is seeking federal environmental approval for the project, and its referral under the EPBC Act is now open for public comment.
Mining at Saraji supports about 2400 full-time equivalent employees, including labour hire and contractors.
BMA says these jobs are reliant on maintaining continuity of mining operations through the proposed action.
The brownfield development would make use of the significant existing on-site infrastructure such as rail, road, power and water services.
BMA argues in its documentation this would result in less demand and impact on the environment, existing services and providers.
Saraji has coal reserves of around 648Mt making it one of the largest in the world. Mining began there in 1974.
Saraji Mine around 20km north of Dysart.