MINING entrepreneur Joseph Gutnick says it is full steam ahead for his company's $2 billion phosphate rock project in North Queensland and accused naysayers of being ``jealous competitors'' and ``people trying to kill a project''.

The project could earn revenue of $2 billion a year for decades and create thousands of jobs.

The company (Phosphate Australia) called into question the adequacy of the Mount Isa rail line, while separate claims were lodged with the Townsville Bulletin following the story that the Chinese group looking to join Legend, Wengfu Group Co Ltd, had backed out.

However Mr Gutnick said that was ''absolute rubbish''.

''We are in constant contact with (Wengfu),'' he said.

''They are sending over a major technical group and they will be visiting Townsville.

''Everything is going full steam ahead.''