PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has again granted approval for the development of the $16.5-billion Carmichael coal mine and rail project, in Queensland.

The Minister's original environmental approval was overturned by the Australian Federal Court earlier this year, after it was appealed by a greens group on the grounds that Hunt had failed to consider conservation advice when making his decision on the project.

Hunt said on Thursday that the project had now been approved in accordance with national law and subject to 36 of the strictest conditions in Australian history.

“In making this decision, I have considered additional information provided by Adani and environmental groups, including the Mackay Conservation Group, the Environmental Defenders Office and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

“The conditions I have imposed take into account issues raised by the community and ensure that the proponent must meet the highest environmental standards,” he said.

The conditions included implementing all advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC), and protecting and improving 31 000 ha of southern black throated finch habitat.

Further, project developer Adani would be required to spend A$1-million on research programmes to improve conservation of threatened species in the Galilee Basin over ten years and to ensure the protection of Doongmabulla Springs through strict monitoring of groundwater and triggers to take action so impacts do not exceed the approved limits.

“The rigorous conditions would protect threatened species and provide long-term benefits for the environment through the development of an offset package. These measures must be approved by myself before mining can start,” Hunt said.

“I have the power to suspend or revoke the approval and strict penalties apply if there is a breach of the strict conditions. Department of Environment compliance and enforcement officers will closely monitor the operation of the mine.”

A further 23 conditions have been set for the approval decision linked to the rail line project.

The proposed project would comprise an opencut and underground mine, running for a period of some 90 years and producing an average 60-million tonnes a year of thermal coal.

Adani, for its part, has welcomed the approval, saying the Carmichael mine and rail project was at the heart of the company’s plans to build a long-term future in Queensland.

“Adani has said for some time now that what is required for companies planning major job creating and infrastructure generating projects in Australia is certainty on approval,” a company spokesperson told Mining Weekly Online.

“It is certainty over the remaining approvals that is now key to the company progressing its plan to deliver mine, rail and port projects in Queensland that will deliver 10 000 direct and indirect jobs and A$22-billion in taxes and royalties to be reinvested back into community services.”

He said on Thursday that Adani was looking forward to the remaining government approvals and decision processes being dealt with promptly to ensure the project would get back on track, so the much-needed economic benefits of this project could commence and Adani could continue with its aspiration.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has also welcomed Minister Hunt’s approval, with CEO Michael Roche saying it was no surprise that the project had been approved for a second time, considering all the necessary environmental protections were already in place.

Roche has, meanwhile, warned that until federal Parliament acted in a bipartisan fashion, there remained the very real risk that activists would continue to exploit the current loopholes for every resource project proposed by every resource company.

“Both Adani and GVK, who are trying to kick-start development in the Galilee basin, have come under attack from the anticoal activists who don’t want Australia’s lower-emission thermal coal to go to developing countries,” Roche said.

“The activists' delaying tactics are also preventing the creation of jobs and the financial benefits that flow into regional communities as a direct result of the project, and royalties into the state coffers that help pay for schools, hospitals, police and roads.”