Australia blocks controversial Carmichael coal mine project

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/australia-blocks-controversial-carmichael-coal-mine-project/a-18628515

An Australian court has blocked a huge India-backed coal mine in Queensland that has drawn fierce criticism from environmentalists. The mine is also seen as a potential danger to the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia blocks controversial Carmichael coal mine project
05.08.2015

An Australian court on Wednesday revoked approval for a project to build one of the world's biggest coal mines.

"The Federal Court has formally set aside the approval of the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project," Australia's Environment Department said in a statement.

The 11.7 billion US dollar mine had been approved by the Australian government in 2014, but conservationists challenged the approval.

Environmental pressure groups argued the government's go-ahead for the project was wrong because of the amount of greenhouse gases it would create and because of its potential impact on vulnerable species. They had also said the transport of the coal to a port could have a negative effect on the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most biodiverse areas.