A new thermal coal mine for central Queensland could be in operation as early as 2012 now that an agreement between miner Hancock Prospecting and contractor Thiess has been made.

Thiess, a subsidiary of Leighton Holdings, announced yesterday it had been engaged to co-manage with Hancock Prospecting the pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the Alpha Coal Project.
The mine is projected to produce 30 million tonnes of thermal coal a year at full capacity, or more than one billion tonnes over at least three decades.
Thiess managing director David Saxelby said the PFS, due for completion this year, would explore the viability of developing the mine.
Also being considered are rail and port options.
“If the feasibility work demonstrates viability and we believe it will, construction should commence in 2010 with the first coal mined in 2012″, Saxelby said in a statement.
The Alpha Coal Project has reserves estimated at more than 3.4 billion tonnes.
The coal, used for principally for power generation, is destined for Asian and Indian markets.