Adani clears another hurdle to securing mining lease for Australia project

Adani Group has finalised a mining compensation deal with the Isaac Regional Council, clearing another hurdle to securing a mining lease agreement for its $6.5 billion Carmichael Mine project in Australia's Queensland province.

The Indian mining group now needs to agree to a similar compensation deals for council infrastructure as well as with landholders and native title holders before getting its mining lease.

The company will then be able to make formal approaches to banks for financing for the mine.

Mayor of Isaac region in the state, Anne Baker, said Adani and the council have worked closely together to ensure a way forward and a positive outcome.

''Our joint focus is to responsibly deliver mutual and long-term economic benefits for the community," Baker said adding, "This compensation agreement fundamentally provides Adani with access to council roads and reserves integral to the project while maintaining public access."

She said Queensland's mining sector has lost over 20,000 jobs over the past two years. "It's essential our communities and our businesses benefit from the Carmichael project. Both parties are committed to commencing negotiations on the next and important step, the infrastructure agreement," Baker further commented.

"Comprehensive maintenance agreements on existing infrastructure like road corridors are critical," she said, adding, "The infrastructure agreement determines the extent of infrastructure works and maintenance over the life of the mine."

Welcoming the move, Adani CEO Jeyakumar Janakaraj said, "Working together with Isaac Regional Council, the project is moving one step closer to delivering long term benefits to Queensland, while helping deliver higher quality, lower emitting coal that will help alleviate energy poverty in India."

The mining compensation agreement recognises that part of Adani's mining operations will be over council-controlled road and reserves. The Queensland state in February gave environmental approval to controversy-hit project but with about 140 conditions.

Adani's plan to build one of the world's largest coal mines in Australia has been facing hurdles ever since it signed an agreement with the Queensland government.