The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) congratulates Minister Lynham on awarding Senex as the preferred tenderer for a Petroleum Lease in the Surat Basin.

Statement by QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane on the review of the Workers’ Compensation Scheme

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has thanked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, the Hon Grace Grace, for her quick response in establishing the Stakeholder Reference Group to address compensation arrangements surrounding Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP).

QRC’s position, outlined to the Parliamentary Committee on the Workers’ Compensation Scheme this morning, broadly supports the recommendations of the Stakeholder Reference Group that all workers who contract CWP should receive fair compensation in a timely fashion, and retired workers or workers who had left the industry can have access to medical examinations at no cost.

QRC was one of the first bodies who advocated for the need for a review of the Workers’ Compensation Scheme and improvements in the scheme to deal adequately with all cases. In particular, the QRC recognised workers, who are diagnosed with early stages of CWP should be entitled to receive statutory compensation including circumstances where those workers are not suffering any permanent impairment or incapacity for work.

The Parliamentary Select Committee’s report into CWP released earlier this year represented a substantial body of work and the QRC acknowledges the committee’s open engagement with all parties and commends them for their professionalism in overseeing such a complex review.

The resources sector is completely supportive of, and has fully cooperated with Minister Lynham and the work of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, including the implementation of the recommendations made in the Monash Review.

Meanwhile, coal companies have fully adopted all new regulations and have cooperated with the government in the design of significant improvements to the medical assessment process including lung function tests, spirometry testing and new standards to set out clear requirements for medical practitioners conducting tests.

The health and safety of workers is a core value and the resources sector will only strengthen its commitment to see that CWP is eradicated.

Source: QRC

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has applauded the significant achievements by Rio Tinto’s Amrun project near Weipa with diversity in its workforce and investment in supporting local suppliers.

Yesterday the Land Court of Queensland recommended Minister Lynham grant the Mining Lease and the Environmental Authority be issued for the Kevin’s Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin, subject to the original draft conditions.

The GVK backed mine would inject billions of dollars into regional Queensland with 1,800 construction jobs, 1,600 operational and thousands more through indirect employment for the life of the mine.

It is time to penalise states that do not develop resources because of pressure from foreign-funded green activists, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane told the Queensland Media Club today.

The latest figures from the resource industry shows records tumble with an $8 billion increase in exports, however it’s not all good news as the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) quarterly sentiment survey highlights concerns about government policy uncertainty.

Statement from the Queensland Resources Council

Today’s budget papers illustrate the vital importance of resources, especially coal, to keep the state in the black. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced it as the ‘jobs bonanza budget’, which would have been impossible without royalty revenue.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomes policy announcements by the Queensland Government of its Powering Queensland Plan to address the state’s energy needs. This Queensland Plan has been released ahead of the Finkel review due to be released at COAG.

Statement by QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane

As the Mark Twain saying goes: Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. And so have been the green activist reports of the death of coal, and more broadly, the resources sector. Today, it is pleasing to see the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham, have thrown their support behind the resurgence of Queensland’s mighty resources sector.

Statement by QRC Deputy Chief Executive Judy Bertram

The Queensland Government has approved the mining leases for QCoal’s Byerwen coal mine, near Glenden.

The east coast gas supply is set for a boost with Arrow Energy’s announcement that it will commence work for its proposed expansion of the Tipton gas project in Queensland’s Surat Basin.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomes the state government’s proposal to increase base load power in North Queensland with the potential expansion of Burdekin Falls Dam.

In yet another positive sign for the coal sector the state government today released more than 270 square kilometres of land in the Bowen Basin for exploration.

The announcement by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to invest over two hundred million dollars into the Bowen Basin will create hundreds of jobs and shows the ongoing strength of the state’s coal industry.

The Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) has congratulated the Palaszczuk government after seven mineral and resources companies received funding for drilling projects in North West Queensland.

The Queensland Resources Council is extremely concerned to see the broadening of the work of the select committee into Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) before the first inquiry has been finalised. QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said to change the scope at this stage is unhelpful.

The Queensland Resources Council welcomes the announcement of ‘Project Ruby,’ the Shell Australia/QGC joint venture, that will employ hundreds of people, and inject new gas supply into the east coast gas market.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the announcement was yet another sign that Queensland was getting on with business.

"The ‘Project Ruby’ development in the Surat Basin underpins 350 new and existing jobs, which is good news for the local community, and good news for Queensland’s gas supply,” Mr Macfarlane said. “The QRC is pleased that Queensland is leading the way when it comes to working to address the problem of the east coast gas shortage.”

Up to 161 new wells will be drilled in 2017 and 2018 in QGC’s existing tenements in south-west Queensland.

“This significant milestone for the QGC project is also a vote of confidence in Queensland’s onshore gas industry,” Mr Macfarlane said. “Importantly, this is an investment into regional Queensland, where state and local governments and farmers support the gas industry, resulting in massive economic benefits for local and state governments as well as farmers and rural and regional communities.”

QRC’s current data shows that in 2015-16, our state’s gas industry contributed $12.8 billion in economic contribution and supports 65,000 jobs and the advancement of this project will only mean more revenue and jobs for Queenslanders.

Shell’s QGC business is a net contributor to the domestic gas market and will sell more than 75 petajoules (PJs), net of domestic gas purchases, to customers in Australia this year. This represents more than 10% of east coast gas demand and 40% of Queensland’s demand.

Source: QRC

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, applauded the decision by MMG to transfer its Century zinc mine in north west Queensland to Century Mine Rehabilitation Project Pty Ltd as a clear and practical example of MMG’s commitment to the environment and the local economy.

A successful Everest climber, former Telstra Business Woman of the Year finalist, and 30-year resources sector veteran has been recognised by the sector for her outstanding achievements. Karen Alexander was presented the Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources Award in Brisbane today by Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Grace Grace, Queensland Resources Council (QRC) President Rag Udd and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) Chair Maria Joyce before a state-wide audience of more than 900 people.

Statement by QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane on FIFO Bill:

The Queensland Government’s Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Bill parliamentary committee report has been released today.