Environmental advocates speak on proposed Caval Ridge Horse Pit project

Environmental advocates are urging the Federal Government to pull the reins on a proposed extension to a Central Queensland coal mine.

Environmental advocates are urging the Federal Government to not allow a proposed expansion to a coal mine near Moranbah.

Environmental groups are urging the Federal Government not to approve an extension to a BMA mine in Central Queensland as the clock ticks down on public comment for the project.

The Caval Ridge Mine Horse Pit Expansion in the Bowen Basin is one of 18 fossil fuel projects approved under previous ministers that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek agreed in November 2022 to reassess following a legal push by the Environment Council of Central Queensland.

Preliminary documentation was earlier published and invitation for the community to make submissions to the Federal Government will close on Friday, September 29.

The mine itself currently produces up to 15 million tonnes of coal per annum and is located about 5km south-west of Moranbah.

The company is proposing to extend the horse pit’s footprint, which would increase the mine’s life by 20 years to 2056.

Lock the Gate has expressed concern the expansion will leave hectares of unrehabilitated land and release mine-affected water into Cherwell Creek, which is home to the endangered “bum breathing” turtles.

Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland director Dr Coral Rowston said land clearing associated with the project would mean species like the ornamental snake, the squatter pigeon and king bluegrass are “pushed closer to the point of no return”.

“This week we have heard stark reminders from the United Nations and International Energy Agency about the climate crisis driven perils the world faces if governments continue to allow new and expanding fossil fuel projects,” she said.

“Even if the Albanese Government wishes to ignore the increasingly dire state of the global climate, and coal’s leading contribution to it, they must surely recognise that this is a coal project that does not stack up at a local environment level.”

The project is about sustaining the 1500-strong existing workforce, according to BMA documents.

If approved, some existing site infrastructure would potentially be relocated into the pit from 2023 and it is expected to progress into the target area from about 2025.

The Australia Institute said the extension would produce an average of 6.1 tonnes of saleable coal over its 31 year life, resulting in hundreds of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

The policy think tank stated Caval Ridge’s potential 11.5 million tonnes of direct emissions and 462 million tonnes is contrary to the Paris Agreement, Australian climate targets and the Queensland Government’s commitment to net zero emissions.

Meanwhile, Mackay Conservation Group climate campaigner Imogen Lindenberg said the Caval Ridge expansion plan proved threats to pause new projects in response to the Queensland Government’s coal royalties increase was all for show.

“The company made an eye watering $12.9 billion profit last financial year,” she said.

“Its public outburst in response to the Queensland Government‘s modest coal royalties increase was always just a political strategy and appears to have done nothing to deter the mining giant from wanting to dig more polluting coal in the Sunshine State.”