Cockatoo Coal Limited advise of significant progress regarding the approvals process relating to the expansion of the Baralaba North mine to 3.5 million tonnes per annum ("Baralaba North Continued Operations Project, or BNCOP"). Cockatoo advises that it has received correspondence from DEHP of a Section 56A (Environmental Protection Act 1994) decision notice to proceed with the BNCOP EIS. This notice has been received approximately 5 months from the date of EIS lodgement, and confirms that the EIS lodged by Cockatoo has been deemed adequate by DEHP.

As a result of this notice, DEHP has confirmed the commencement of their EIS Assessment Report, and importantly, Cockatoo will not have to submit a Supplementary EIS regarding the BNCOP. The company also advised that it has executed a Coal Haulage & Road Infrastructure Agreement with Banana Shire Council. This agreement will see Cockatoo significantly upgrade council controlled roads, improving the safety, access and amenity of the road corridor for all users, whilst also allowing for the scheduled increase in road haulage activities by Cockatoo to its Train Load-Out Facility ("TLO").

Additionally, Cockatoo has received final construction approvals for the TLO, in the form of an approved Material Change of Use Application and an Operational Works Permit being granted for the TLO site.