Introduction

Queensland Nitrates' fully integrated ammonium nitrate facility near Moura in Central Queensland is designed to produce 180,000 tonnes per year of ammonium nitrate, and provides a strategic resource to help sustain the competitiveness of Queensland's mining industry.

Queensland Nitrate Pty Ltd (QNP) is a joint venture involving Dyno Nobel and CSBP. Dyno Nobel was acquired by Macquarie Bank in 2005.

The location of the facility was selected becaused of the availability of feedstock gas, raw water and electricity, and the proximity to the Bowen Basin open cut coalmines for road delivery of product.

Following extensive feasibility studies initiated by BHP Coal, basic engineering work commenced in November 1997.

In February 1998, QNP entered into a contract with Melbourne based Shedden Uhde Pty Ltd, for the design and construction of the main process plant. Shedden Uhde in turn nominated Stork ICM as the construction contractors.

Seventy full time personnel are employed at the facility, which is a key strategic investment for the joint venture partners.

Protecting the Environment

Maintaining air quality and water quality are prime objectives in the operation of the plant. A detailed impact assessment study (IAS) was conducted prior to the project receiving approval. The complex is designed to comply with the Queensland Environmental Protection Act and the obligations of the IAS.

Plant Overview

The plant comprises three core process units, which are briefly described below:

Ammonia Unit

QNP produces Ammonia for the use of refrigeration and the manufacture of Ammonium Nitrate. All Ammonia produced by QNP is used on site.

Nitric Acid Unit

Most commercial Nitric Acid is used for the production of Ammonium Nitrate. All Nitric Acid produced at QNP is used for AN production.

Ammonium Nitrate Unit

Most commercial Ammonium Nitrate is used for the manufacture of commercial explosives and fertiliser. All of QNP's product is for the Queensland coal mining industry.

Utilities and Infrastructure

Gas, the main feedstock for the ammonium nitrate plant, is supplied both from the nearby Moura Mine, where there is a compression station for the coal seam methane, or from the natural gas line that runs from Injune to Gladstone.

River levels can vary greatly, so a floating pontoon pumping station anchored to the river bed is used to pump the river water to the plant.

When the plant is operating at full capacity, it generates two thirds of its own electricity requirement, with the balance imported from the Queensland electricity grid from the Moura substation.