Pinsent Masons advises White Energy Company on acquisition of South Galilee Coal Project

Located approximately 11 kilometres west-south-west of Alpha in Queensland, the South Galilee Coal Project is a proposed 17 million tonne per annum open-cut and underground mine comprising two granted exploration permits and a mining lease application with a 30-plus year mine life. The project received Commonwealth environmental approval in 2015 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

The acquisition complements White Energy’s recent acquisition of the Tin Hut Creek Project. White Energy plans to undertake drilling and technical and economic studies to assess development, capital and infrastructure options for the South Galilee Coal Project.

The Pinsent Masons team was led by corporate partner James Stewart, with support from special counsel Madison Smith, senior associate Rachel Brennan and graduate associate Sara Ghani.

Commenting on the transaction, James said: “We are pleased to have supported White Energy on this strategically important acquisition, which strengthens the company’s portfolio of Queensland thermal coal assets. The transaction highlights continued activity in Australia’s resources sector and the importance of commercially focused legal advice in progressing complex mining acquisitions.”