Scrutiny of coal mine

QUEENSLAND’S environment department is investigating claims mining company New Hope expanded existing operations at its New Acland coal mine without permission.

The state environment department has confirmed it is investigating New Hope’s mine, located west of Brisbane, but the company insists the complaints are part of a campaign against it.

It comes as a protracted legal battle rages over the proposed stage three extension of the mine, near Toowoomba, with farmers’ groups appealing against a court decision to reverse an earlier decision scrapping the expansion.