Aussie authorities to ensure mining projects employ local workers at new

Authorities in the Australian state of Queensland are set to ensure mining projects will employ local workers before considering fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers just as the final approvals for one of the world's largest coal mines begin.

The Queensland state government on Thursday announced the new policy as it responded to a parliamentary report that called for proponents to focus on local workforces as the state's economy battles slow growth and rising unemployment.

"Our new policy framework will ensure no 100 percent FIFO operations in new mines where nearby regional towns have capable workforce (and) existing operations will need to consider locals for employment," Queensland state development minister Anthony Lynham said.

The new regulations come as the state authorities agreed Indian giant Adani Enterprises Ltd should be granted "all state government approvals" to build the 10 billion Australian dollar (7. 6 billion U.S. dollars) Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin after the final agreements with land holders were reached.

It's estimated that the mine will provide 22 billion Australian dollars (16.71 billion U.S. dollars) in taxes and royalties, shipping up to 60 million tons of coal per year to service India's high energy demands.

The controversial Carmichael project however is still fiercely being campaigned by Australian environmentalists who fear damage from additional port dredging and shipping at Abbot Point as well as climate change fears over the burning of coal.

Lynham on Thursday stressed he would scrutinize the documents needed to provide a mining lease "very, very thoroughly indeed... so Adani can progress with confidence to develop the Galilee Basin to bring prosperity to central Queensland."

The final approval won't be granted until Adani has the necessary funding in place for the entire mine and associated infrastructure projects, Lynham said, a task that will be tough given the continuing coal and broader commodities rout.

Adani's moves are at odds with global miners who have been under significant financial pressure from coal prices tumbling from highs of 300 U.S. dollars per ton in 2011 to around 80 U.S. dollars per ton.

Thermal coal, which will be extracted from the Carmichael project, have taken a similar slide to sit at decade lows, but are expected to improve throughout 2016, according to Swiss-based giant Glencore.

Glencore have suspended their Australian operations while coal giant Anglo-American has announced a global restructure, placing many of its Australian mines up for sale.

Rio Tinto recently sold one of its last remaining Australian coal assets to Indonesian conglomerate Salim Group.