RIO Tinto is forwarding its plans to develop the massive Valeria project, a coal deposit spanning 13 properties between Capella and Rubyvale.
On Wednesday the company announced a new Exploration Permit for Coal adjacent to the project, expanding its horizons even further.
Having held the original exploration permits for decades, landholders were beginning to question the future of the development until the company moved on it just over a year ago due to the soaring price of coal.
Roger Lee runs Caroa, the largest property affected with the most coal on it. For more than 20 years he worked to develop a profitable cattle business to hand over to his sons. That future is looking less likely today.
"We are one of the two properties that haven't struck a deal with them yet. Most have already done a deal," Mr Lee said.
"There are a lot of serious producers up here and a lot of country is going to be affected."
"The southern politicians have no idea about the fertility of the land up here... They have a short-sighted view of it all."
Mr Lee said the option of splitting the large and very profitable Coroa property was not ideal, and would bring with it a range of problems.
"I don't think any of us would want to live next to a coal mine," he said.
Central Queensland News
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