Queensland Gov Approves New Coal Mine W. Capacity For 538 Million Tons Of GHG Pollution

[hatrack]

The Queensland government has approved a mega coalmine project which environmentalists say poses “unacceptable threats” to Queenslanders’ human rights. The project now goes for federal approval, where it could become the biggest coalmine given the green light since the Albanese government came to power.

Whitehaven’s Winchester South coalmine would be located in the state’s Bowen Basin, near the town of Moranbah, and mine an estimated 15m tonnes of thermal and metallurgical coal each year for 28 years. Queensland’s coordinator general recommended the approval of the mine last year despite conceding it “has the capacity to limit human rights” due to “climate change consequences that may arise from the project”.

According to the company’s environmental impact statement, the project would contribute 583m tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution – more than Australia’s national annual greenhouse gas emissions – including 14.2m tonnes of on-site emissions and 567m tonnes of scope three emissions created when it is burned overseas. Approximately 58% of the mine’s coal is for steel production, while the other 42% would be exported to Asian countries for use in producing electricity.

The mine would also clear 2,000 hectares south-east of Moranbah of habitat of endangered and threatened species such as koalas, the Australian painted snipe, the ornamental snake and the squatter pigeon, according to the coordinator general’s report.

EDIT

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/07/winchester-south-mine-queensland-federal-government-approval-emissions-whitehaven

[Mickju]

1. As one who once called Queensland home, this is very disappointing.