ENVIRONMENT

Frydenberg defends Adani against Carmichael Reef damage claims

Frydenberg underplayed the impact of the Carmichael mine.

Lou Caruana
Frydenberg defends Adani against Carmichael Reef damage claims

The proposed Carmichael mine and infrastructure program is believed to be worth between $16.5 billion and $21 billion and to provide 10,000 jobs compared with Deloitte’s estimate of 64,000 jobs generated by the Reef, according to the report. 

However, Frydenberg underplayed the impact of the Carmichael mine. 

He said Adani's planned mine was "300km inland ... in a dry, dusty part of Queensland" and if Australia did not help meet India's energy needs, another country would – with dirtier coal – and reap all the economic benefits.

"If Australia vacates this field, not only will we be forgoing billions of dollars' worth of export income and thousands of jobs domestically, but somebody else will sell that coal into India and the impact on the environment could be worse in terms of emissions," Frydenberg said.

The Australian Conservation Foundation said emissions from the coal Adani would mine would fuel the primary threat to the Barrier Reef's survival: warming of the ocean through climate change.

"It's just a disturbing statement to hear from our federal environment minister," ACF campaigner Basha Stasak told AAP.

"Our governments seem to refuse to acknowledge the reality of the situation. It's a choice – it's coal or it's coral and we are going to have to pick."

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production