Press release – 5 November, 2013Sydney, 6 Nov 2013. The decision by Queensland’s Environment Department to issue Clive Palmer’s Waratah Coal with an Environment Protection Order (EPO) should force the Federal Government to delay a decision, due next week, on whether to approve the controversial billionaire’s China First coal mine in the untapped Galilee Basin in Queensland.The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage
has found
that Waratah Coal failed to meet its environmental duty to decommission and rehabilitate 300 exploration drill holes at the site of the proposed China First Mine.
"How can Waratah Coal be trusted to build and operate a massive coal mine with huge environmental impacts, if it can’t even be trusted to clean up the mess left by its initial exploration activities?" asked Greenpeace Queensland Campaigner Louise Matthiesson.
"Environment Minister Greg Hunt is due to decide whether to approve the China First mine next Tuesday 12th November, the very same day that Clive Palmer will take his seat in Parliament."
"Mr Hunt needs to take a close look at why Waratah failed to meet its environmental responsibilities, and consider whether this is really a suitable company to be running a massive coal mine in a remote area."
"The China First mine would destroy koala habitat in the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, and produce more greenhouse gas emissions than many small countries."
"It would also use up to 10,000 megalitres of water a year, depleting underground water reserves in the area."
"We’re calling on Mr Hunt to reject this mine proposal for the sake of local water supplies, the natural environment and the global climate" Ms Matthiesson concluded.
For interview contact
: Louise Matthiesson, 0406 041 428