Lock the Gate Alliance welcomes the Land Court’s recommendation that the Queensland Government not approve a mining lease for the Ensham thermal coal mine expansion due to the contribution the project would make to greenhouse gas pollution.
The Land Court handed down its decision (attached) in March, recommending the mining lease for the expansion “not be approved unless and until the applicants show real and significant progress towards mitigating their GHG emissions”.
The Court found that the more than six million tonnes of greenhouse gases emitted in Australia from the mine extension will contribute to climate change and breach the human rights of Queenslanders.
If built, the expansion would allow the joint venture between Sungela Pty Ltd and Bowen Investment (Australia) Pty Ltd to mine up to 85 million tonnes of thermal coal for an additional 20 years up until 2044.
While Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved the Ensham thermal coal mine expansion in 2023, the State Government was yet to determine whether a mining lease ought to be granted and was the final remaining assessment.
Lock the Gate Alliance Head of Research and Investigations Georgina Woods said, “This outcome is entirely reasonable and necessary to protect Queensland’s interests. We urge Resources Minister Dale Last to accept the Land Court’s recommendation. Coal mines must not be allowed to continue polluting dangerous greenhouse gases while Queenslanders suffer the consequences of fossil fuel driven climate change. Pollution from coal mines is undermining Queensland’s emission reduction targets and shifting the burden of emissions reduction onto other sectors of the economy like agriculture and manufacturing.
“In its judgement the Court expressed concern about the lack of action from Sungela, the coal mining company, in fulfilling their existing obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at their mine. This shows the important role of the Land Court in ensuring that coal companies are following the law and doing the right thing by all Queenslanders.”
ENDS