Adani urges Queensland government to get behind Carmichael Project

The campaign has been brought to the doorstep of the state’s parliament, with digital billboards across Brisbane carrying the message: ‘It’s time the Queensland Government gave Adani a fair go’.

Radio, social media, newspapers and 90 office tower elevators in Brisbane will also be used in the campaign.

Adani Mining CEO, Lucas Dow, said thousands of jobs for Queenslanders and investment are being held up by the government.

“We’re ready to go. The [Carmichael Project] mine is fully-financed, we have 14 500 people who want to work for us and we have the plan to start. The government has said the project needs to stack up. It does. We would really like to see the state government get behind us and allow us to get on with the task of delivering jobs for Queensland,” Dow said.

Over 14 500 people have registered their interest in working on the Carmichael Project, and Adani Mining says many want to know what is required for construction of the mine to start.

Dow said there was growing frustration throughout regional communities, which are seeking new employment opportunities: “The desperation for these jobs is real. My team receives enquiries on our email, website and social media channels every day.”

“Furthermore over a thousand small businesses, predominantly from regional Queensland, have registered on Adani’s supplier portal looking for business opportunities and contracts.

“With thousands of people knocking on our door for work, we’re stepping up our communications so that we can keep them up to date through the use of such things as billboards, radio and newspaper updates.

“The focus of our increased communications activities are designed to explain that for construction work to commence, we need the Queensland government to give us clarity and certainty on what’s required to finalise our outstanding management plans, and also the associated timeframe.

“In terms of getting started on the mine, we have submitted our remaining management plans.

“In relation to the approval of these plans and getting started, we have certainty of process, timing and requirements at both the federal and local government levels, however the Queensland government has to date been unwilling to commit.

“We are simply seeking a fair go from the Queensland government, so we can get on with delivering the 1500 direct jobs and 6750* supporting jobs that the Carmichael Project will create for central and northern Queensland.

“We have been working towards this project for more than eight years, investing more than AUS$3.3 billion in our Australian businesses. Our resolve and resilience to see this through and deliver these jobs for regional Queensland is rock solid.

“As with any project of this scale, the international market is watching closely and there’s no doubt the eyes of the mining world are focused on Queensland and Australia in terms of whether there is a flag here for sovereign risk.”

“For eighteen months we worked tirelessly to accommodate all of the Queensland government’s requirements and feedback, only for them to move the goalposts at the eleventh hour,” Dow said.

“We have met all of the stringent environmental conditions put in place and signing off our remaining plans should be a standard process, which the government has completed for scores of other mines and the coal seam gas industry.

“All we ask is that we be treated in the same way as those other companies, that the Queensland government stops moving the goal posts, and the process is fair and consistent.”

Adani will continue to carry out works on site under its current legal approvals.

*The Queensland Resources Council’s economic modelling states for every 1 direct job in the Queensland resources industry, 4.5 additional indirect jobs are supported. There will be approximately 1500 direct jobs during the initial construction and ramp up of the Carmichael Project, which will support 6750 additional jobs.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/11022019/adani-urges-queensland-government-to-get-behind-carmichael-project/