Lock the Gate Alliance is calling on BHP to abandon its planned expansion of Queensland coal projects, as the company faces accusations it is no longer serious about reducing emissions after ditching a key renewable energy project in WA.
BHP has plans to expand three large coal mines in Central Queensland, with the projects at various stages of assessment. Its Saraji East proposal, which would mine more than 100 million tonnes of coal, is seeking approval in the coming months.
BHP also wants to expand its Peak Downs coal mine and operate the project until 2116, long after humanity needs to reach zero emissions in order to avoid the most severe impacts of the climate crisis. If approved, BHP’s Peak Downs would mine 18 million tonnes of coal each year for 93 years, adding more than three billion tonnes of pollution to the atmosphere.
Lock the Gate Alliance Queensland coordinator Maggie Mckeown accused BHP of saying the right words on climate publicly, but doing the opposite when it came to project decisions.
“BHP promotes the image that it is a climate-responsible corporation but the reality is this company is planning major expansions of its climate-heating coal mines in Queensland.
“The number one step BHP should take if it truly wants to meet its own stated emissions reduction targets is to abandon its planned coal mine expansions in QLD.
“Right across Queensland, communities are suffering as floods, storms, and heatwaves become more severe due to fossil fuel-supercharged climate change.
“BHP is harming Queensland communities through its expansion of coal mines at a time when humanity, including mining companies, should be decarbonising to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis.”
The call for the company to ditch its planned coal mine expansions comes as BHP prepares to hold its annual general meeting next month.
ENDS