this might be of interest its historical,open cut coal mines on...

this might be of interest its historical,open cut coal mines on the bowen plains,according to a book "the big fella" the rise and rise of BHP BILLITON part of the deal in establishing the mine was an agreement with the QLD govt was
profitable rail-freight charges combined with a low royalty of 5cents per ton until 2010,this was under the stewardship of Bjelke-Petersen---- a pretty smart move and the mine developers paid for the terminal at Hay Point i guess all this helped propel QRN to its current status.

i dont old but watch with interest