The Australian Government has approved the expansion of the controversial Adani Abbot Point coal terminal in North Queensland. The expansion will allow coal to be shipped from projects in the Galilee Basin, such as the Carmichael mine.
The mine is the largest of its kind in Australia, and consists of six open cut pits, and five underground mines.
The proposed expansion will add 70-million tonnes a year to Abbot Point’s current coal production capacity of 50 million tonnes.
The project will see 1.1 million cubic metres of spoil dredged near the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which will then be disposed of on land.
Adani is unable to secure finance until there’s legal certainty regarding the project, which has faced a series of court challenges. The State Government has told Adani that the company must show they can finance the Carmichael mine on their own before construction goes ahead.
“There will be no taxpayer money going towards this project,” says Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Source: Baird Maritime
