We made an error, says Adani
Miner advises some activities missed in reporting process
ADANI has blamed an “administrative error” for its failure to include some clearing and exploration activities at its Carmichael mine site in a recent report to environmental authorities.
The mining giant yesterday notified the Queensland Department of Environment and Science about an “administrative paperwork error” in its 2017- 18 annual return for the coal mine site.
Adani told the department areas on the mining lease were disturbed during the final threeand- a- half weeks of the annual return period that should have been included in the report. Mr Dow said the company had taken steps to improve administrative processes.
ADANI has blamed an “administrative error” for its failure to include some clearing and exploration activities at its Carmichael mine site in a recent report to environmental authorities.
The mining giant yesterday notified the Queensland Department of Environment and Science about an “administrative paperwork error” in its 2017- 18 annual return for the coal mine site.
Adani told the department areas on the mining lease had been disturbed during the final three- and- a- half weeks of the annual return period that should have been included in the report.
The company said there was also “exploration disturbance” before the reporting period, which should have been carried across.
Adani is required to provide the report to the department as part of its general environmental reporting obligations.
Adani chief executive Lucas Dow told the Bulletin the disturbance during the threeand- a- half- week period was clearing for paths.
“It was the creation of dirt tracks to access monitoring sites,” he said.
Mr Dow said the company had taken steps to improve administrative processes such as requiring additional sign- offs and other oversight measures.
“If we make a mistake we step up, we own it, we fix it, and work so that we don’t have a repeat occurrence,” he said.
“It’s really important that people understand that all the activity being undertaken on site has been in accordance with approvals and environmental conditions. We want people to have the facts.”
Mr Dow said it would be up to the regulators if they chose to take any steps to verify the new information.
“I would expect we’d receive the same ( treatment) that every other mining com- pany would,” he said. “More than anything we take our environmental commitments very seriously … and I hope that actions today are a clear example of that.”
Meanwhile, Adani met another milestone yesterday by submitting its new rail operating plan to Aurizon — necessary to get the project off the ground. Mr Dow said the plan would trigger a regulatory process that will allow connection of the Adani rail line to the existing network and then carry coal to Abbot Point for export.