‘Climate catastrophe’: court battle over coal mine plan

Protestors went out of a court identified as one of the largest coal mines in Australia, and saying that the multibillion -dollar bid will contribute to the “climate disaster”.

However, the company behind the Queensland mine, which was proposed on Monday, defended the big project, claiming that it would create hundreds of jobs and provide critical raw materials for renewable energy infrastructure.

A few dozen people were gathered on Monday to appeal the Winhaven Coal’s Winchester South open -cut mine, and compared with an offer to scan the large barrier reef of the 1960s to produce fertilizer.

On Monday, the Black Court in Brisbane began to appeal against Whitehaven Coal’s proposal from the Bowen basin that will receive 17 million tons of coal annually.

When Whitehaven estimates that the annual 11 million tons of metallurgic coal will be needed to feed the explosion furnaces for steel production, the rest will be thermal coal for electricity generation.

Adam Beeson of the Australian Protection Foundation compared the proposed mineral reef scanning and oil drilling, the ideas that the courts addressed outside protesters dozens ago.

Some of them dressed like Koalas, and others carried a four -meter glider puppet as the activists sang songs and chanting before the opening of the case in Brisbane.

“What is the difference between digging coral and digging coal, increasing the global temperature that causes coral bleaching and coral death?” Foundation’s general advisor, Mr. Beeson said.

He said that the return of the mine with the Mackay Protection Group of the Foundation would tell the court that the mine would “not touch this effect”.

Mackay Protection Group Climate Campaign Imogen Lindenberg said WinChester South could be the country’s largest new coal mine.

“If this mine persists, it will create more pollution than Australia produced in a year,” he said.

“We already live in a climate disaster.

“Many people’s homes are flooded, there are forest fires – not only us, but all the species under all good threats.”

Mr. Beeson said the hearing would run for eight weeks and he would receive news from 30 witnesses before giving the Queensland government a advice on the mine.

Nicholas Loos, a member of the Land Court, will chair the issue.

Lawyer Saul Holt Kc, who moves for Whitehaven, said that the Winchester South Project will provide significant economic benefits at the opening address of Mr. Loos.

He said that the mine has widespread community support and will bring $ 696 million in state copyrights and 500 new jobs during construction and operations.

“Right project by the right mine at the right place, at the right time,” he said.

Winchester South said that Australia will support vital production for the transition to renewable energy.

The mine said it would produce metallurgical coal, a “indispensable component” in steel production.

“In contrast, steel, net zero (emissions) targets are met if renewable energy infrastructure Queensland, Australia and the world needs to create a critical component.” He said.

He told Mr. Loos to use Winchester South in the production of wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric dams and electric vehicles.