Mahon Carbon Project

The Mahon Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 15km inland from Sarina and 45km south of Mackay in Queensland. Registered in August 2020, the project covers nearly 500 hectares in the Sarina Range region. This area is traditionally known for a mix of intensive sugar cane production on the coastal plains and cattle grazing in the hinterland.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, specifically focusing on the conversion of former cropland or fallow ground into permanent pasture. By establishing permanent pasture species, often utilizing multi-species mixes to enhance root depth and soil biodiversity, the project aims to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it within the soil profile. This process is monitored using rigorous soil sampling and modelling to calculate the net increase in soil organic carbon over time.

Situated in a high-rainfall tropical to sub-tropical climate, the region creates favorable conditions for rapid biomass growth and subsequent carbon storage. The local soils typically include Dermosols and Vertosols (cracking clays), which are well-suited for holding organic matter when managed correctly. The project currently holds an optional delivery contract with the Clean Energy Regulator, allowing the proponent to sell the resulting Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the government or on the private market.