THE company proposing a $4 billion steel plant in Gladstone is expecting a response to its environmental impact statement "any day now".
Boulder Steel CEO Mr David Simpson said that decision, along with final investment, could clear the way for construction to start, in the State Development Area near Mt Larcom, within 18 months.
"We're expecting a response from the Coordinator-General imminently," he said.
Boulder is negotiating with potential investors from the Asian region.
In January, Chinese company PCK committed to purchase 44% of steel produced at the plant.
