"Devastating" coal mine expansion approved as super El Niño looms

BHP has been granted approval to expand their Saraji coal mine near Dysart in Central Queensland, digging a further 55 million tonnes of coal until 2055 and clearing habitat for several threatened species.

This is the first fossil fuel project approved by the new National Environmental Protection Agency, and the 37th coal, oil, or gas approval under the Albanese Government since 2022.

QCC Acting Director Anthony Gough, said

This approval is devastating news at a time when Australia is hearing first hand of climate impacts in the Pacific and the country itself is staring down the barrel of a super El Niño event supercharged by climate change.

The increased output of coal from Saraji will produce 120 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, more than Australia’s entire annual emissions from the transport sector.

When the coal from Saraji is exported, two other things leave Australia with it: the profits, and the pollution. While the profits will not return, the impact of the pollution will be felt by Queensland communities for years to come.

Australian coal burned overseas contributes to global climate change, and no matter where its burned countries near and far feel the effects.

In Australia that means increased frequency and severity of heatwaves, bushfires, floods and other climate disasters.

It is hypocritical for Prime Minister Albanese to stand up at the Pacific Islands Forum and talk about our country's "highly regarded" role tackling climate change, on the back of his government's 37th fossil fuel project approval.

BHP is one of Australia's top polluters. They have quietly minimised their responsibility for emissions reduction and pursued more opportunities to expand outdated fossil fuel projects, while being massively subsidised by the Australian taxpayers.

The Federal Government must stop enabling destructive coal and gas projects and become a genuine leader of the transition away from fossil fuels for the good of Queensland communities and our neighbours in the Pacific.

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