Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd. took further steps forward on the Korella North mine ML100379 permitting process this week with the submittal of the signed Section 31 deed, advertising the notice of intention to grant mining lease and notification of neighbours.
ML100379 covers an area of 118.62 hectares and is located six kilometres southeast of the Monument at Phosphate Hill. The grant of the mining lease includes the granting of access over the adjacent Phosphate Hill-Townsville rail line to the Phosphate Hill-Duchess Road.
The grant of the mining lease is under the Queensland Mineral Resources Act 1989 and is for a term of 10 years with the ability to apply for a further renewal for a term not exceeding 10 years.
Following signing of the ancillary agreement with the Yulluna People, the Queensland Department of Resources (DOR), under the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, prepared the Section 31 deed for signing by the Yulluna People and CRP.
The deed, now signed by the Yulluna People and CRP, has been returned to DOR for its signature.
In the meantime, DOR issued on May 17 the notice of intention to grant mining lease 100379, allowing a 20-business-day period for objections. The notice is now being advertised and is available on the CRP website. At the same time, neighbouring property owners are being advised. With the size of the MDH property, within which ML100379 sits, the boundaries of neighbouring properties are in some cases over 50 kilometres away.
To enable the grant of ML100379, the mine access road needs to have approval from Queensland Rail for a crossing on the Phosphate Hill-Townsville rail line and approval from Cloncurry Shire Council for a new intersection on the Phosphate Hill-Duchess Road. Applications for both consents were lodged on April 16, 2024.
Queensland Rail has commenced evaluation of the proposed crossing and has already advised that it will require a mining compensation deed to be concluded along with approval of the design of the rail crossing, as well as a project interface agreement and statutory interface agreement.
Obtaining Cloncurry Shire Council approval for the intersection will be aided by completion of a road maintenance agreement and assistance from a recently engaged Cloncurry-based consultant town planner.
The company will keep shareholders updated on the progress of the approvals being processed by Queensland Rail and Cloncurry Shire Council.
