W&J elder Adrian Burragubba told the Guardian Australia that this group rejected a deal to develop the mine in October and that Adani turned to the National Native Title Tribunal to override this objection.

“We don’t consent to this large coal mine on our homelands, we have made it very clear to Adani that no means no,” he said.

“The mine will destroy the natural environment, it will damage our laws and customs beyond repair and further dispossess our people.”

Adani has responded by warning the publication of the need to be familiarised with “the important authorisation processes adopted by the Wangan and Jagalingou people in appointing authorised representatives to speak on their behalf”.

“As it stands, the questions that you have asked have been put by an individual who is not authorised to speak on behalf of W&J, whilst purporting to do so,” the Adani spokesman said.

“Adani respects these processes, and encourages you to ensure you are dealing with all of the duly authorised representatives.

“Adani is aware of at least one instance where the authorised majority of the W&J applicant instructed that the NNTT should disregard an individual statement of one of its group because there had been a unanimous decision not to make a submission on two of Adani’s mining lease applications.”

He said part of the native title process was using a structured framework to ensure clarity and openness of process and timelines, including with reference to the National Native Title Tribunal.

“Adani continues to negotiate with the W&J’s authorised representatives towards terms acceptable to all parties.

“Following comprehensive and ongoing discussions and negotiations with the W&J, Adani does not believe that the W&J ‘don’t want this mine’ as the W&J have been and continue to be actively involved in negotiations around delivery of the mine on terms acceptable to the W&J.

“In addition to the native title processes, Adani respects the W&J’s cultural heritage and can confirm it has been working closely with the W&J since 6 September 2011 under a cultural heritage management plan agreed with the W&J.

“Again, Adani continues to negotiate with the W&J’s authorised representatives and would prefer a negotiated outcome that recognises all parties’ interests.”

The $16.5 billion thermal coal project will involve the development of six open pits and five underground mines over 60 years, with the first surface operation planned for 2016 with a production rate of 5.5 million tonnes per annum.

The project includes a 388km rail development to link the open cut and underground project to Adani’s Abbot Point coal terminal 25km north of Bowen on the coast, which needs to be expanded to reach full ramp up plans of 60Mtpa.

Initial longwall production from the first underground mine is expected to reach 2.5Mtpa run-of-mine in 2018.

The broader Adani Group conglomerate is India’s leading coal importer and owns the biggest privately owned port in the country.