‘Make us out to be villains’: Bravus taking DESI to court over aquifers
Bravus - formerly known as Adani - is taking the Department of Environment and Science to court. See what the coal miner’s beef is.
Townsville
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Bravus - formerly known as Adani - is taking the Queensland Government to court over what they call a “clear misuse” of the environmental laws.
Currently operating the Carmichael Mine near Clermont, Bravus Mining and Resources believe they have a legal case against a “punitive” Environmental Protection Order placed on them in 2023.
In a statement, the mining giant said it was slapped with the EPO despite no environmental harm or breach of regulations actually occurring at their Carmichael mine.
The EPO was triggered when Bravus submitted an updated groundwater model for their mine site which indicated there was additional work to be done to ensure the Doongmabulla springs water levels did not fall by more than 20cm.
A Bravus spokesman said prior to the EPO the company had already “proactively and publicly committed” to not mining underground before the necessary scientific and modelling works were done.
“We’re proud to comply with those approvals,” the spokesman said.
“But it’s not OK for regulators to unfairly target law-abiding businesses and make us out to be villains.”
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) said it issued an EPO to prohibit the Carmichael Coal Mine from underground mining until a second groundwater model review.
“As the appeal is currently before the Planning and Environment Court, it is not appropriate to comment further on the EPO,” a department spokesperson said.
The EPO appeal is listed for hearing of the stay application in the Planning and Environment Court on 20 May 2024.
Doongmabulla springs is a complex that includes Moses springs and other vital water sources connected to neighbouring cattle properties.
The springs are supervised by more than 120 ‘monitoring bores’ that reach the aquifers below.
Originally published as ‘Make us out to be villains’: Bravus taking DESI to court over aquifers
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