Adani may face hefty fine in Oz: Environmental breaches

Adani Australia could face a multi-million penalty for possible environmental breaches over floodwaters released from the Indian mining giant's Queensland coal port after Cyclone Debbie which wreaked havoc in the country. The Queensland government said it was probing and considering a compliance action on the issue of possible breach by Adani in respect to water released from its Abbot Point facility that had eight times more sediment than allowed limit. Jim Reeves, the Director General of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), said Adani Abbot Point Bulkcoal was authorised to release water under the licence, for the period March 27 to 30, which was granted to assist with site water management during and after the cyclone Debbie.

There are serious penalties for corporations whose non- compliance with their environmental authorities or temporary emissions licences caused environmental harm, including fines of up to 3.8 million dollar if the non-compliance was wilful or 2.7 million dollar if the non-compliance was unintentional.

Meanwhile, Adani Australia refuted the claims that its Abbot Point coal handling facility discharged contaminated water in the wake of Cyclone Debbie. "The results of the test are not expected until next week, three weeks after the samples were taken. However, DEHP officers have confirmed to Abbot Point management that there was no evidence of environmental harm post Cyclone Debbie," it noted.