Gassy, koala-threatening coal mine gets state stamp
Environmentalists warn that state-level conditions on open-pit coal mine expansion will do little to prevent methane leaks.
Glencore’s Hail Creek mine expansion project in central Queensland was given state government approval on Wednesday, but still needs the green light from the Commonwealth to proceed.
The planned footprint expansion will disrupt around 680 hectares, including “ecologically important” koala habitat.
An aerial survey by environmental groups spotted 13 of the threatened marsupials in the area in one evening.
Criticism was also directed at the illegal methane gas escaping during the project’s operations.
One aerial survey The United Nations Environment Program found that methane emissions at the current mine site are many times higher than Glencore reported.
In giving approval, the Queensland government said the impact of the extension on climate change was “low” compared to global emissions and targets.
The government said greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, would be managed under the company’s mitigation plan and reporting rules.
Glencore has promised to investigate “pre-mine drainage”, which would involve removing gas from coal seams before mining begins to prevent gas escaping during digging.
The coal producer has committed to a study of the method within two years of the project being approved, but Lock the Gate Central Queensland coordinator Claire Gronow says it is too late for that.
“Pre-mine drainage of harmful methane gas needs to occur before mining, not two years after mining begins.”
Dr Gronow says no real requirements have been placed on Glencore to reduce and mitigate methane pollution.
Before the decision, the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis recommended that aerial surveys and preliminary drainage trials be carried out before mining begins.
Australian Conservation Foundation climate campaigner Freja Leonard described Hail Creek as a “carbon bomb” and called on federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to reject the proposal.
“The damage Hail Creek does to the climate and environment is not worth the relatively small amount of coal it produces,” he said.
As part of the expansion, an additional 29 million tons of thermal and metallurgical coal will be mined and operations will continue for another three years.
Glencore has been contacted for comment.
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