Adani's Coal Mine Project in Australia Gets Environmental Nod

Melbourne: Indian mining giant Adani's plan to build one of the world's largest coal mines in Australia moved closer to realisation on Tuesday after the Queensland state gave environmental approval to the 16.5 billion dollars controversy-hit project but with about 140 conditions.

Queensland state's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) said it has issued a final environmental authority (EA) for Adani's Carmichael Mine project in the Galilee Basin.

The project is located near the fragile Great Barrier Reef.

The department said the conditions include nine provisions relating to the black-throated finch, an endangered species, as required by a court.

In a relief to the Adani Group, an Australian court in December rejected a bid to stall the project by Conservation group Coast and Country, saying the firm can go ahead if it agrees to some environmental measures. The environmental group had contended that the mine would affect groundwater, climate change and biodiversity, including black-throated finches.

"The EA application was vigorously assessed by the department and and acted on recommendations made by the Land Court," the statement by the department said.