Pembroke Resources has officially celebrated the opening of the Olive Downs Complex which is already delivering jobs, economic prosperity and opportunity to Central Queensland communities and the entire state.
The Olive Downs Mine, which produced and shipped its first coal to international customers in January this year, created 700 jobs in construction and 600 new jobs in its first stage of operation. The mine will generate more than $10 billion in royalties for the Queensland Government over its life – helping fund essential services and infrastructure across the state.
With over 500 million tonnes of reserves and up to 79 years of mine life, stage one of the Olive Downs Mine is delivering 6 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal per annum, with additional project components to support the approved capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum.
At the official opening of the mine, Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, the Hon Scott Stewart MP, joined the Pembroke team and their families for a unique celebration.
“I was here two years ago as we turned the first sod on the Olive Downs project and it’s great to be here to see the mine officially open.
“As a government, we will always support projects that stack up environmentally, socially and financially and Olive Downs ticks all those boxes.
“I want to congratulate Pembroke Resources and acknowledge that by building this mine they are backing Queensland’s resources sector for decades to come.”
Attendees at the opening were able to see firsthand the standard setting “integrated mining complex” which includes approximately 20,000 hectares of designated conservation areas dedicated to preserving fauna and ecological habitats plus a specialised clinic for Koalas and Greater Gliders, staffed by expert veterinarians and wildlife ecologists.
The site will have its share of clean energy too with a 10-hectare solar farm and green energy project designed to offset power demand and promote sustainable practices with approximately 20,000 hectares designated for pastoral activities, fostering agricultural pursuits and land utilisation.
Pembroke Resources Chairman and CEO Barry Tudor said the official opening was a chance to celebrate and recognise the people who had been part of bringing Pembroke Resources’ vision for the Olive Downs Complex to life.
“From our early planning stages through to operations, we have applied a fresh approach to the development of the Complex to exceed contemporary expectations of environmental management, conservation, emissions reduction, social responsibility, and governance. What we showed our guests is just the beginning,” Barry said.
“We aim to be world leaders in terms of prioritising on-site technology, environmental protection, and sustainability as part of how we operate.
“The Olive Downs Complex was the first mine to be approved under the Strong and Sustainable Communities Resources Communities Act, the first to build an integrated campus, the first with a three-phase vegetation clearing protocol, and the first steelmaking coal mine in the world to implement CAT Command autonomous control for trucks and drills at the same site.
“Customer demand for the Olive Downs’ high quality steelmaking coal product is very strong. We are now focused on the next stage of expansion where we will double production as soon as possible.
“Our approach continues to partner with Government at all levels and the local community to create sustainable and long-term economic opportunity through job creation, economic diversification, and direct community support.
“We remain committed to keeping our workforce as local as possible by giving our workers a genuine choice and the ability to live locally if they want to.
“We are proud of what we’ve achieved already, and we are looking to the future.”
