Article: Qld Government approves thermal coal mine near Alpha

[ozbob]

From ABC News click here!

Qld Government approves thermal coal mine near Alpha

An $8.8 billion mine and rail project planned for Queensland's Galilee Basin has been given conditional approval by the state government.

Waratah Coal, a subsidiary of mining magnate Clive Palmer's Mineralogy firm, wants to develop a large thermal coal mine near Alpha in the state's central region.

Plans also include the construction of a 500 kilometre rail line to Abbot Point Coal Terminal in north Queensland.

Approvals for the Galilee Coal Project include off-sets for the loss of part of the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, which opponents say would be destroyed by the development.

The proposal involves mining part of the 8,000 hectare reserve which is used for bird migration research.

Approval from the Commonwealth is needed before the project can proceed.

If built, the complex will include four underground mines, two surface mines and associated coal handling and processing facilities.

It will be linked to the new port at Abbot Point by a new 471km standard gauge, heavy haul railway line.

The State Government says the development has the potential to create 3,500 construction jobs and more than 2,000 operational positions.

But Greenpeace campaigner Louise Mathiesson says it is the wrong decision.

"We're horrified that the Queensland Government has approved this monster coal mine in the Galilee Basin," she said.

"It would bulldoze the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, suck up precious groundwater supplies that are vital for cattle grazing properties in the region, and emit more greenhouses gases than many small countries."
Decision delayed as reports are released to the public

Meanwhile Federal Environment Minister Mark Butler delayed a decision about a proposed multi-billion dollar expansion of Abbot Point Coal Terminal.

The plans involve dredging some three million cubic metres and disposing of it within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area.

His department has been examining the economic benefits and environmental concerns associated with the proposal and had been due to announce a decision today.

But he said "a number of reports have only just been delivered to me" and in order for these to be fully considered a decision will not be made for up to three months..

"Given the significance of the Abbot Point development both in terms of the economic development of the region and the potential environmental impacts on the Great Barrier Reef I have decided to release these reports for public information," he added.

The planned expansion of the port, north of the seaside community of Bowen, would double the terminal's current capacity and make it one of the biggest in the world.

[johnnigh]

Thermal coal? Who wants it? Solar PV/ battery back-up seems to be capturing the commercial/industrial market where operation is mainly day-time. Unlike households, many of these installations cut the user off the grid entirely. Economics is cutting down the business model of the big generators and distributors. SMH article on the big China PV companies.