PA/07/16 5 February 2016
Queensland environmental permit for Adani’s Carmichael
coal mine welcomed
The Australian High Commission today welcomed the Queensland Government’s environmental permit for Adani’s Carmichael coal mine project.
Adani was issued an environmental authority for the project, to be located west of Bowen in north Queensland, by the state’s Department of Environment and Heritage this week.
Acting Australian High Commissioner Chris Elstoft said the Australian Government was pleased with the decision, which should pave the way for Adani to build Australia’s largest coal mine.
“The $16 billion mine, rail and port project is important to India as coal from the mines will help fuel India’s growing energy requirements. It will also ensure jobs and economic benefits for the people of Queensland,” he said.
Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage issued 140 conditions to the approval, nine of which related to the protection of the black-throated finch as required by the Land Court in December 2015 following a case filed by a conservation group.
The Department said it was confident the strict conditions on the environmental permit, including extra requirements based on the directive of the Land Court, will ensure that the mine would not pose an unacceptable risk to the environment.
It added that any potential impacts will be closely monitored.