Coal mining jobs in Queensland

[Cliff]

Anyone in the mining industry will be interested to hear of a new contract just awarded. New jobs are to be created near Emerald, in central Queensland as a huge coal mining deal has been agreed. A massive 70,000 new jobs are expected. The deal will also bring in large royalties for the Queensland government.

"Mining billionaire Clive Palmer has turned economic superhero, announcing the deal of the century to create up to 70,000 new jobs in Queensland. The entrepreneur has clinched a contract with one of China's biggest power companies to export $69 billion worth of thermal coal from new mines in central Queensland over 20 years. "This deal is Australia's biggest-ever export contract," he said proudly. "The best years of this state are yet to come." Mr Palmer said the deal would provide a massive boost to the state economy, and likely result in the restoration of Queensland's prized AAA credit rating."

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...7-3102,00.html

[FamousFive]

70,000 jobs is an amazing number. A lot of scope for migrants I'd think.

Quite a hot sort of place to live but it's a lot less humid that Brisbane, so it mightn't be too bad.

Emerald Climate Stats

Brisbane Climate Stats

[Housewife]

This is a great boost for Queensland, and great for Australia. Good to see more of these big dollar projects coming in for Australia & Qld in particular.

[Cliff]

Lots of jobs expected to be on the go but not just yet. Maybe companies should be thinking about training people up ...

"Queensland 's coal and gas companies are in a desperate race for staff with more than $100 billion in projects kicking off at the same time. And the outcome may be a serious skills shortage, a failure of some projects to get enough staff or a wages blowout. The gas industry has already indicated it would need up to 6000 tradesmen and professionals in the next 10 years for up to eight separate liquefied natural gas projects in Gladstone. Thousands more will be needed in construction."

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...3-3102,00.html

[Martha]

I hope they are putting apprentiships on their list of priorities, but knowing big business they will probably hire contractors for the jobs and then it will be up to them to train people up. They may not have the financial advantage to do so. The government used to support businesses a great deal in training people but they cut back on that. This is why Australia has a skill shortage in the first place. You would think that politicians would see what is happening, if it is as obvious as that, and act on the people's best interest and fix it. A return to an old policy of assistance to employers of apprentices would give a little balance. Still enough jobs for emigrants too.

[Thongs of Praise]

Seems to be some uncertainty over the scale of this project. It seems the $69 billion contract doesn't exist yet!

"Queensland billionaire Clive Palmer has had to back away from claims he had signed a $US60 billion ($69.4 billion) export coal contract with a Chinese group, saying the price was only an estimate...

...The statement came as China’s official media reported that China Power International Development was denying reports it had signed a coal supply deal worth $US60 billion...

...China’s official media reported that price negotiations had not even started yet."

http://www.smh.com.au/business/palme...0209-np70.html