Xstrata Coal is aiming to develop a $15 billion, 100 million tonne per annum coal complex near the Queensland town of Wandoan.
All relevant parties have now agreed to Newcastle's much anticipated long term coal export plan, with Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) finally agreeing to the framework.
The Queensland Resources Council has called for improvements to the State's infrastructure to capitalise on the recovering resources market.
Australia risks losing overseas investment by not supporting mining infrastructure.
Infrastructure constraints are being blamed for limiting Victoria's mining industry and restricting Australia's export economy.
Infrastructure suffers from a cancer of neglect, according to Minerals Council of Australia CEO Mitchell Hooke.
Phoenix Copper managing director Paul Dowd told delegates at yesterday's Financial Review Australian Infrastructure Conference 2009 that South Australia faces urgent infrastructure challenges if the State is to meet the needs of its new mineral economy.
Some of Australia's most prominent mining leaders gathered in Sydney yesterday, calling for the government to get serious about underwriting investment in the industry.
Murchison Metals has announced that the Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has signed a State Development Agreement with Oakajee Port & Rail (OPR) for the Oakajee port and rail infrastructure project.
New laws were recently passed through Federal parliament designed to protect overseas workers and ensure that they are not exploited as little more than cheap labour.