Friends of the Earth Brisbane takes Xstrata's Wandoan mega coal mine to court

UPDATE Thurs 5 May: The directions hearing went well, and the case is scheduled for two weeks starting on August 22nd. Over the next few months we'll working with the Environmental Defenders Office, putting together our case to show that this mine will cause unacceptable impacts on the climate, the reef and Queensland's environment.

Global mining giant Xstrata will today face the Land Court of Queensland over the greenhouse impacts of its proposed Wandoan mega coal mine.

Friends of the Earth lodged the objection with the Land Court due to the colossal carbon emissions from the mine. Friends of the Earth spokesperson Dr John Mackenzie says that the mega mine will have disastrous impacts and should simply not go ahead.

“Each year that the Wandoan mine operates it will result in more greenhouse pollution than 150 countries. The impacts that this will cause on our climate and the Great Barrier Reef are unacceptable and will be around long after the mine is closed,” said Dr Mackenzie.

Todays initial hearing will set out the scope and timing of the trial, which will call a variety of experts to give evidence on the impacts that this mine will have on Queensland's environment and the global climate.

Each year the proposed Xstrata coal mine will extract 30 million tonnes of coal and cause 47 mega tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution, a sizable 0.15% of annual global emissions.

If the mine goes ahead, it will be one of the largest coal mines in the world.

“This project will lock Queensland into a huge expansion of the worlds dirtiest energy source for the next three decades, when the only responsible thing to do is transition to a cleaner economy,” said Dr Mackenzie.

“Approving mega coal mines which lead to massive carbon emissions will be another nail in the coffin for the Great Barrier Reef,” said Dr Mackenzie from Friends of the Earth. “Queensland will lose an economic asset which generates over $6 billion dollars annually and provides over 50 000 jobs”

“Queensland’s climate is set to worsen over coming decades. The CSIRO predicts more extreme floods and cyclones to batter the state, and much harsher droughts that could decimate rural industries.”

13 local individuals and groups have also lodged objections.

For comment, please contact Dr John Mackenzie, Media Spokesperson, email: john.mackenzie@foe.org.au