Whitehaven Coal’s proposed $1 billion Winchester South mine in Queensland has moved closer to development after the Queensland Land Court recommended its approval following objections from environmental groups.
The recommendation marks a regulatory milestone for the proposed Bowen Basin operation, which is designed to produce up to 17 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal annually over a 30-year operating life.
Located near Moranbah, Winchester South would primarily supply metallurgical coal for steelmaking, as well as thermal coal for energy generation.
The Australian Conservation Foundation and Mackay Conservation Group had argued against granting mining leases for the project, citing its potential environmental impacts.
While the court recommended approval, it also proposed strengthened rehabilitation conditions, including additional surveys, sampling, and monitoring, as well as ecological surveys of threatened species before work begins.
The two environmental organisations said they were considering their next steps following the decision.
The court’s recommendation will now be considered by Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, who will determine whether the project’s environmental authority and mining leases should be granted.
Whitehaven welcomed the decision and will continue progressing Winchester South through the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) approval process.
The project previously received a conditional recommendation to proceed from Queensland’s Coordinator-General in November 2023, following an environmental impact assessment.
Winchester South has an estimated 1.1 billion tonnes of coal resources and 380 million tonnes of reserves, according to Whitehaven’s published project information.
Development plans include a coal processing plant and rail infrastructure connecting the operation to existing Bowen Basin export networks.
Whitehaven is also examining potential operational integration with its neighbouring Daunia metallurgical coal mine as part of ongoing feasibility studies.
The company has not provided an updated construction timetable or a final investment decision date, and further regulatory approvals are required before development can proceed.