In response to a media report today that Adani has begun on ground works at the Carmichael coal mine site, Australian Marine Conservation Society spokeswoman Imogen Zethoven said:
“AMCS is calling on the Queensland Government to prosecute Adani for any illegal activities it is found to have undertaken at the mine site.
“Last week the Qld Department of Environment and Science prosecuted Abbot Point Bulkcoal which is owned by Adani for spilling 800% more coal-laden water into Great Barrier Reef during Cyclone Debbie than was allowed under their licence.
“Adani is appealing another decision by the Department to require the company to undertake an environmental investigation into the causes and impacts of the release of coal-laden water into the nationally important Caley Valley wetland.
“Time and time again Adani have shown they can’t be trusted to comply with Indian environmental laws. Now they are putting at risk highly important sites in Australia such as the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and nationally important wetlands such as the Caley Valley Wetland and Doongmabulla Springs.
“The Queensland government needs to throw the book at Adani to teach them a lesson that the company can’t get away with breaking the rules.”
“Adani’s Carmichael coal mine is a clear and present danger to our beautiful Great Barrier Reef. Mining and burning coal from this massive new mine would release billions of tonnes of carbon pollution over its lifetime when we need to be turning down the heat on our vulnerable oceans and Reef.
“At full operations, the mine would require a second coal terminal at Abbot Point. This would require dredging the World Heritage area, damaging the habitat of threatened turtles and dugongs, and sending hundreds more coal ships through the Reef’s waters, increasing the risk of ship groundings and collisions.”
CONTACT
To arrange interviews with Imogen Zethoven, Great Barrier Reef Campaign Director, contact:
Shane Cucow, Senior Communications Officer
0423 544 979 / [email protected]