Environmentalist slams approval of one of largest proposed greenfield coal mines

One of Australia’s largest proposed greenfield coal mines has been given environmental approval by the Queensland government.

Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South coal mine in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin plans to extract up to 17 million tonnes of coal a year for about 30 years.

The open-cut mine, 30 kilometres south-east of Moranbah, would produce mostly metallurgical coal, used to make steel, with secondary thermal coal for energy generation.  

Environmental groups have slammed the decision, with concern over the emissions the mine will produce, given its size.

The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation approved the company’s environmental authority (EA) application after the Coordinator-General recommended the project proceed in November last year.

However, it still needs federal government approval through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) process.

The company, along with the five organisations that made submissions on the EA, will be formally notified of the decision next Wednesday.

All parties then have 20 days to object to the decision and request it be referred to the Land Court.

Emission concerns

Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman said the group opposed the decision because of the size of the mine.

He said the project was regarded by the group as the largest proposed greenfield coal mine in the country, based on the total amount of coal expected to be taken out of the ground over the life of the mine.

“The climate emissions from this will lead to a staggering 583 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent,” Mr Copeman said.

“[That’s] more than three times Queensland’s annual emissions.

“It’s going to have real impact for Queenslanders that are struggling already to clean up from the fires and the floods and the storms that are made worse by climate change.”

However, the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said the project’s greenhouse gas emissions were comprehensively assessed, including abatement plans.

Mr Copeman called for an independent body to be in charge of approving mines, like an Environmental Protection Agency, and for Australia to move faster towards using green hydrogen to make steel, instead of coal.

However, he welcomed the federal government’s recent safeguard mechanism changes, which propose reducing the country’s emissions, as well as the expected changes to the EPBC  to come this year.

Whitehaven Coal has been contacted for comment.