LETTERS: “Surely we are smarter than that?”

David Baldry from Bundaberg wrote to The Observer questioning a mining giant’s recent economic decisions.

A BHP sign adorns the side of their headquarters in Melbourne on February 19, 2019. - Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP posted an underlying profit of 3.73 billion US dollars on February 19, in a lower-than-expected first-half result after a series of operational problems at its mines. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

I AM dismayed to read about the $3m feasibility study for a new coal-fired station in Collinsville.

Is this a sensible economic decision?

After all, global coal prices have declined so much to the point that Glencore has temporarily closed their coal mines in NSW and Qld.

Even BHP is selling off its coal mines.

If we are to revive our economy and create jobs, we need to follow the money trail.

Currently this trail appears to lead to the renewables industry.

The last thing we need is to spend money that we can ill-afford to research a profit-losing coal project.

Surely we are smarter than that?

David Baldry, Bundaberg.