The Federal Government has approved three coal mine expansions in NSW, despite conservationists labelling it as “the opposite of climate change”.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek gave approval to extend the life of three coal mines in NSW with one of the mines given an extension of 24 years.
Yancol’s Ravensworth mine near Muswellbrook was given an extension to 2032, Whitehaven Coal’s project in Narrabri until 2044 and MACH Energy’s mine in Mount Pleasant to 2048. The Narrabri and Mount Pleasant plans will target thermal coal for exporting overseas and burning in power stations.
These extensions will secure over 1,800 mine workers in the Hunter Valley and Narrabri regions, according to the government.
A spokesperson for the Environment Minister told the ABC that the Albanese government will be making decisions “in accordance with the national environment law” that were already supported by opposition.
“The emissions from these projects will be considered by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy under the government’s strong climate laws that were supported by the Greens political party and independents,” they said.
These laws that the government are referring to are the “safeguard mechanism”. The law is to set baselines (known as legislative limits), on the greenhouse gasses of the coal mining companies. Although these are in place it only considers the emissions made through digging the coal from the ground, not including when the coal is actually burnt.
Greens MP Adam Bandt said the Albanese government has “betrayed everyone who voted for climate change” and that their operations are contradicting their climate targets.
“To have any chance of meeting climate targets there can be no new coal or gas mines, yet Labor has now approved 26 new coal and gas projects since coming to power. Each one will make the climate crisis worse,” he said.
Australian Conservation Federation spokesperson Gavan McFadzean criticised the federal government for making these approvals despite trying to act against climate change.
“Together, these coal mines will generate more than 1.3 billion tonnes of lifetime emissions which will undermine Australia reaching net zero by 2050,” he said.
“It is grossly irresponsible to be approving coal mines when global scientists and the International Energy Agency have repeated calls for no new coal and gas projects if we have any chance of having a safe climate.”
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constabel told the ABC that these approvals will stabilise the economy in the region, safeguarding jobs that are relied on in the industry.
“These projects have faced lengthy delays due to appeals exploiting legal loopholes in our environmental laws, driven by third parties disconnected from the needs of local communities.”
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