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Activists Try to Halt Expansion of Coal Mine Based on Climate Change

By Joel ScanlonAug 22 2011

Xstrata has run into trouble with its expansion plans of the Wandoan coal mine in southern Queensland. Friend's of the Earth environmental group spokesperson Dr Bradley Smith said that they were opposed to what may end up as the largest coal mine in the southern hemisphere as it would emit 15% of the global emissions and impact the climate change seriously.

James Rickards the communication manager of Xstrata Coal said that despite the outcome of the court the company was dedicated to the project. Wandoan is located 350 km north west of Brisbane. It is north west of Toowoomba and is to be developed as an open cut coal mine. It has the potential for extracting 30 million tonnes of coal per year for exporting.

The Swiss mining giant was facing a similar court case for its Wollombi mine in central Queensland. The Xstrata spokesman said that they were very aware of the burning of coal overseas, that's why they were committed to investing in new technologies. He added that the industry has got to be looking at ways to manage its greenhouse footprint.

David Jackson the acting counsel for the company said that the mine would create close to 1700 jobs in Queensland and generate $ 3.7 billion in royalties over the 30 year mine life. The company and the local community are now awaiting the court decision today. It is the first time in Australia that a court case has called for the complete refusal of a coal mine based on climate change.

Source:

http://www.xstrata.com/

Written by

Joel Scanlon

Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.

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Scanlon, Joel. (2019, February 18). Activists Try to Halt Expansion of Coal Mine Based on Climate Change. AZoMining. Retrieved on November 21, 2024 from https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=4776.
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Scanlon, Joel. "Activists Try to Halt Expansion of Coal Mine Based on Climate Change". AZoMining. 21 November 2024. <https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=4776>.
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