Natural resources and mines minister Henry Palaszczuk, addressing representatives of Japan's ‘clean coal’ industries and research agencies, said Queensland was entering a period of unprecedented development in its coal mines.
"With six new coal mines under construction, 11 expansions of existing mines, six committed projects and eight projects at an advanced stage of appraisal, Queensland's mining industry is growing faster than ever,” he said.
Palaszcuk assured delegates the state’s infrastructure could cope with increased demand and infrastructure planning had been fast-tracked with $A1.4 billion in funding already allocated to coal infrastructure projects and more than $A1 billion planned for additional projects to expand capacity in the near-future.
Palaszczuk said the Japanese industry representatives were impressed by what was happening in Queensland in relation to coal and were looking forward to continuing to build on their existing relationship.