Conservation groups say they're disappointed the Queensland Government has approved the state's third-largest coal mine, because of the threat it poses to koala habitats. Construction will begin soon on the Olive Downs Coking Coal Project, located 40 kilometres south of Moranbah in Queensland's Bowen Basin.
Conservation groups say they're disappointed the Queensland Government has approved the state's third-largest coal mine, because of the threat it poses to koala habitats.
Construction will begin soon on the Olive Downs Coking Coal Project, located 40 kilometres south of Moranbah in Queensland's Bowen Basin.
The mine, run by Pembroke Resources, will have a production life of 80 years and is expected to produce up to 15 million tonnes of metallurgical coal for steel production each year.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday the State Government had signed off on a mining lease for the project.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said an expansive koala habitat could be wiped out for the mine's construction.
"Clearing those forests pushes this species closer to extinction," Gavan McFazdean, the ACF's program manager for climate and energy, said.
Key points:
- Conservation groups say the mine could push an expansive koala habitat to extinction
- The Queensland Resources Council says the promised 1,000 jobs are "just what Queensland needs"
- The Government is expected to collect billions of dollars in royalties
By Rebecca Hyam and Lia Walsh
Posted Wed 30 Sep 2020 at 5:46am