Expressions of Interest are being called for tunnelling work on the $14.2 billion dollar Borumba pumped hydro project near Imbil.
The latest underground works is the most significant package to be released to the market as part of the Borumba Exploratory Works program.
The EOI for Underground Works marks the first step in the most significant program to be delivered during the exploratory works phase of the project.
The package will involve the excavation of soil and rock utilising controlled blast and drilling methods, rather than tunnel boring machine, to form a D-shaped tunnel leading to the proposed site of the underground powerhouse cavern.
This tunnelling will compliment surface geological investigations, which together will provide a detailed understanding of ground conditions to inform detailed design of the project and how it is best delivered.
The works will be accompanied by the required environmental approvals and once complete, the excavated tunnel will be repurposed to become a permanent cable tunnel.
The EOI release follows the Coordinator-General’s coordinated project declaration on 12 October 2023, signalling the start of the rigorous assessment of social, economic and environmental matters before the Borumba Project’s Main Works can begin.
Once underway, the project’s main works will create more than 2,000 jobs during construction, and boost the regional economy by tens of millions according to the State Government.
