Here's what you need to know about the Adani mine project

The $16.5 billion decision six years in the making was announced by the CEO of Adani Australia Jeyakumar Janakaraj alongside Queensland premier Annatascia Palaszczuk in Townsville Thursday 14th of June.

Mining contractor Downer Group has won the contract to build and operate the mine, and Canadian company Aecon will build the adjoining rail 189km rail link, which Adani has asked the federal government for a $900 million loan to build. Source: buzzfeed.com

Adani has previously said it would be able to begin construction within days if both approvals were secured, with equipment already on site.

Nearly 19,000 workers have applied for the estimated 1500 construction and ramp jobs expected over the next two years.

Further rolling deadlines from June to September are set for leases and licences, allowing rail construction and operation, a workers’ camp and airport and the finalisation of a royalties deal.

Katter’s Australian Party Queensland leader Robbie Katter said benefits from the mine should go to Queenslanders and especially areas near the mine.

Mr Katter also called for the Government to build its own railway line into the Galilee Basin to help get coal from other proposed mines to the port.

“It’s one thing to get these mines off the ground, it’s another to get them access to the port and I still find it astounding that we keep talking about a Cross River Rail that’s going to cost $5 billion when $2 billion can build a rail line in to the Galilee,” he said.

“There should be a rail line built and owned by the government, which may suggest a second one going in.

“As most people know there’s a lot more coal, Adani’s pretty small in the grand scheme of things in the Galilee Basin so there’ll be a lot of other people looking for accessibility.” Source: Couriermail.com.au