The Swiss mining giant took issue with a full-page feature in the Australian Financial Review titled “Bluff game over coal bonanza”

While Xstrata is continuing to purchase land in the Wandoan project area, the company reiterated it was honouring its existing commitments.

“All actions to date remain consistent with the company’s announcement on June 3 to suspend $A186 million of expenditure to develop the $6 billion Wandoan thermal coal project,” Xstrata said.

“Xstrata has presented offers to purchase local properties to almost all of the landholders within the mining lease application area and is continuing in good faith to meet its commitments. There is no change to the offers made.

“Xstrata rejects any suggestion it is ‘bluffing’ the community.”