Australia's new environment agency approves coal mine expansion through 2055
Australia's newly established National Environmental Protection Agency has approved its first coal project, extending a Queensland open-cut mine to 2055, drawing anger from climate groups. The decision came days after PM Anthony Albanese denied Pacific leaders had raised concerns over Australia's fossil fuel exports.
Australia's new National Environmental Protection Agency, which began operating on 1 July following last year's environmental law reforms, has issued its first approval for a coal project. The agency confirmed it approved BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) extension of the Saraji open-cut mine in Queensland, allowing an additional 55 million tonnes of coal to be dug through 2055. The coal is used for steel production.
The agency said the approval comes with strict conditions to protect threatened species and water resources, including limits on clearing habitat for koalas, ornamental snakes and squatter pigeons. In its application, BMA said it would likely need to clear 9.7 hectares of endangered koala habitat, 14.2 hectares of vulnerable ornamental snake habitat, 39 hectares of squatter pigeon habitat and 3.1 hectares of threatened Brigalow woodland. The agency's approved limits are higher, capping clearing at 132.5 hectares for snakes, 162 hectares for pigeons and 11.5 hectares for koalas.
Climate groups react
The approval came in the same week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at the Pacific Islands Forum, denied that Pacific leaders — many concerned about rising sea levels threatening their nations — had raised objections to Australia's fossil fuel expansion plans.
Ben McLeod, a senior adviser at the Climate Council, said burning the coal overseas for steelmaking would release about 120 million tonnes of CO2 over the mine's lifetime, compared with Australia's current annual emissions of 455 million tonnes. He said the climate does not distinguish between emissions from electricity generation or steel production, and noted the International Energy Agency has said no new coalmines are needed to reach net zero by 2050.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific said Saraji was the 37th fossil fuel project approved under the Albanese government, calling it hypocritical toward Pacific nations. Environmental Advocacy Central Queensland warned the expansion would add pressure on threatened species and water quality in the Fitzroy River catchment during flooding.
