Skip navigation
  1. Home
  2. Koala killing mines
  3. Queensland mines
  4. Peabody and Yancoal’s Middlemount Coal Mine

Create your own countdown on howlongagogo.com

On August the 8th, EnvA-CQ provided evidence to the department and Minister Plibersek’s office that Vitrinite had commenced coal mining operations at the site of its Vulcan South coal mine before receiving federal approval for the project.

On Friday 4 Oct an ABC investigation revealed Queensland coal company Vitrinite has been found mining coal and bulldozing koala habitat at its proposed Vulcan South coal mine without Federal environmental approval. Minister Plibersek has not yet stopped the illegal clearing and mining to enforce the law. Read more.

Take Action Now

Peabody and Yancoal’s Middlemount Coal Mine

  • Koala habitat to be cleared (ha): 63.3
  • Lifetime Coal Combustion emissions (Mt CO₂-e): 53

Peabody and Yancoal’s Middlemount coal mine, near Middlemount in Central Queensland is on Barada Barna Country. The project would extend the life of the mine until 2044 and extract an additional 112 million tonnes of coal. The project is seeking approval to dig up and divert a section of Roper creek that supports high quality riparian vegetation, including many large old trees growing on the banks of the creek that are used by koala and greater gliders. The extension of the Middlemount mine open cut pit would remove this section of Roper Creek and the woodlands lining its banks. The project seeks to clear over 60 hectares of koala and greater glider habitat. The presence of koalas and greater gliders utilising this important riparian habitat was recorded on surveys conducted by the coal company19. Surveys also noted the woodland along the creek is dominated by Queensland Blue gum, a preferred food source for koalas, and supports hollow bearing trees that provide important denning habitat for greater gliders.20

Species likely to be impacted: Koala, greater glider, squatter pigeon.