Green light for troubled Galilee mine

THE Federal Government has given conditional approval to another Galilee Basin mega mine.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has ticked off on the AMCI and Bandanna Energy’s South Galilee coal project and its plan that will create a potential 1600 jobs. However, Bandanna Energy is now in the hands of receivers after long delays in the approval and development of its Springsure Creek project, near Emerald, and the downturn in the coal market pressured investors.

The mine, 12km from the town of Alpha and 180km west of Emerald, is the fifth to be approved in the region.

If it goes ahead it will consist of both open cut and underground mining and produce about 17 million tonnes.

Some of the conditions from the Federal Government relate to the endangered black- throated finch which have also impacted Clive Palmer’s Waratah Coal project. The most advanced of the Galilee Basin projects, Adani’s Carmichael mine, is expected to have all its approvals later this year.