Project Owner: Hancock Prospecting
Project Value: n/a
Project Status: In Progress
Location: QLD, Australia

Associated Projects:
Alpha Coal and Kevin's Corner Projects
   - Hancock Coal - Railway Opportunities
   - Hancock Coal - Port Opportunities
   - Hancock Coal - Mine Opportunities

Hancock Prospecting has two projects under development in the Galilee Basin near Alpha, in Central Queensland.  Hancock’s Alpha Coal and Kevin’s Corner Projects are adjacent projects located in the basin’s rich thermal coal deposit, which until now has remained largely unopened to this level of development.  Hancock Prospecting has a long-standing interest in the Galilee Basin, having held coal exploration permits since the 1970s.

The projects are similar in scale, with both receiving status as projects of State and Federal significance.  The mines associated with each project are expected to produce 30 million tonnes per annum over a 30 plus year life. They will share significant rail and port infrastructure, securing their status as one of the largest thermal coal mine developments in the world.

The Alpha Coal and Kevin's Corner combined resource of 6.1 billion tonnes of JORC compliant thermal coal is anticipated to increase to in excess of 7 billion tonnes following further drilling in 2010.

The Hancock Coal Rail  project include the construction and operation of a new privately owned rail line to transport coal 495km from the Galilee Basin to Abbot Point coal terminal, north of Bowen.  The stand alone, standard gauge line will be open for third party access.  Rail quick facts:

Galilee Basin to Abbot Point
• 495km standalone rail link
• Third party access
• Standard gauge
• 80 Mtpa capacity
• 25,000 tonne trains
• Semi or automated rail system

The projects include the development of infrastructure capacity at Abbot Point to meet Hancock’s future port requirements.  The port is currently undergoing expansion and development, and a number of options in terms of stockpile and ship loading facilities will be available as the port expands to meet growing coal export demand.

Port Quick Facts Abbot Point

• 2 x 30 Mtpa export capacity
• 2 x ship berths
• Coal stockyard, with stacking and reclaim facilities
• X80/X110 or other stockpile options
• Closest Australian port to market

 

With the Terms of Reference for the Alpha Coal Project finalised in mid-2009, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the mine, rail and port infrastructure is well underway.  This project has now moved into Bankable Feasibility Study phase.

An EIS for the Kevin’s Corner Project is also underway following the release of a final Terms of Reference in February 2010.

The timeline for commencement of construction for the Alpha Coal Project is mid-2011, with first shipments of high quality thermal coal expected in late 2013.  Kevin’s Corner is working to similar timeframes. The operational workforce for the projects will be predominantly fly-in fly-out via a commercial airstrip to be established on site.

The projects are managed by subsidiaries of the parent company, Hancock Coal Pty Ltd (Alpha Coal) and Hancock Galilee (Kevin’s Corner) to maintain focus on the individual requirements of each project.