OGL plans to produce 1Mt per annum of run-of-mine coal at Ebenezer by 2013.

However the company will have to fight for the mine’s development after a Supreme Court writ was served on Queensland Mines Minister Stirling Hinchliffe which claimed the company’s mine development plans would endanger local koala populations.

The residents have also stated they oppose mining because of possible noise disturbance and general environmental impacts the mine could impose.

The mine originally opened in 1988 and operated until early 2003, producing more than 20.5Mt of thermal coal for the domestic and export market.

Mining lease 4712, which governs the Ebenezer mine area, was recently renewed to allow mining to recommence at Ebenezer.

Among the applicants appealing the mine’s redevelopment is prominent businessman Graham Turner.

Turner, the chief executive officer of Flight Centre, is believed to own the Spicers Hidden Vale rural property near the mine’s proposed location.

Turner told the Australian Financial Review he would vigorously fight the mine’s re-opening.

“I estimate there are about 400 properties that will be either directly or indirectly affected by the mine,” Turner was quoted as saying.

“I don’t know why there was no public consultation to reopen the Ebenezer mine.”

Turner told the news service his concerns over the proposed mine were based upon the mine’s environmental, aesthetic and noise impacts.

Despite the challenge ahead, OGL chairman Jack Tan believes the company’s newly appointed chief executive officer Allan Fidock will be the right man to bring Ebenezer into production.

Fidock has more than 30 years experience in open cut and underground coal mining, and was most recently a part of Macarthur Coal’s executive leadership group responsible for mine operations at Coppabella, Moorvale and Codrilla.

His role as company CEO will take effect from January 23.