Adani and QR National today announced the companies will jointly evaluate an integrated rail proposal for the Carmichael Coal Mine in the Galilee Basin.

In a joint statement today, Adani Chairman, Gautam Adani and QR National Managing Director & CEO Lance Hockridge said preliminary work between the two companies under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will now move into a feasibility stage.

The study will assess rail infrastructure and haulage services for 60 – 80 million tonnes of thermal coal per annum from Carmichael Mine to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal and / or the future Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal.

This is in accordance with the Queensland Government’s decision to have a new west-east connecting railway to QR National’s existing coal network that would service emerging Galilee Basin coal mines.

Mr Adani said: “A vertically integrated solution where Adani and QR National work across the mine, rail and port interfaces will result in a very efficient and cost effective supply chain.

“The joint evaluation will draw on the significant work done to date by both parties on logistics solutions – Adani with its mine and port developments, and QR National through its Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project.“ 

Mr Hockridge said: “Through preliminary work we’ve been doing with Adani, it became clear there was an alignment of interests in developing an integrated rail solution for their Carmichael Mine.

“The decision by the Queensland Government declaring a common rail corridor means that we can now accelerate work on the feasibility of the rail solution required.”