Coal company Vitrinite was rapped over the knuckles for environmental breaches at its Vulcan project in the same month that the QLD Government approved an associated mine without requiring an environmental impact statement.
An environmental protection order (EPO), quietly uploaded to the Environment Department’s website, reveals Vitrinite contaminated a local creek with mine runoff because it had not put in place the required “erosion and sediment controls”.
The EPO shows the department was made aware of numerous contaminated water releases between November 2022 and March 2023, with the company blaming heavy rainfall and staffing challenges.
The EPO also shows that in October 2023, nearly a year following the first reported contamination event, Vitrinite was still yet to construct all the infrastructure required as part of its Environmental Authority.
However, Vitrinite was not fined for the breach. Instead, the Environment Department ordered Vitrinite to engage “a third party appropriately qualified person” to remedy the situation and prevent further contamination of local waterways. If this doesn’t happen within the timeline provided, Vitrinite could face fines of more than $4.8 million.
The next stage of this coal project, Vulcan South, has faced heavy criticism due to Vitrinite’s plans to wipe out 770 hectares of koala habitat, and the QLD Miles Government’s decision not to require Vitrinite to complete an environmental impact statement.
Vulcan South is now undergoing federal assessment.
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland director Dr Coral Rowston said:
“Vitrinite’s failure to prevent contamination of waterways at its existing Vulcan Coal Project is another reason why Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek must reject Vulcan South.
“This Environmental Protection Order is proof Vitrinite cannot meet environmental conditions intended to protect our water and threatened species. Vitrinite certainly shouldn’t be rewarded with permission to destroy another 770 hectares of koala habitat,” she said.
“It’s disappointing to see Queensland’s Environment Department has not taken stronger action against Vitrinite. Runoff from most Central QLD coal mines including Vulcan eventually flows to the Great Barrier Reef, putting further pressure on a World Heritage site already facing an existential threat due to climate change caused by the burning of coal.
“We’re hoping Tanya Plibersek recognises Vitrinite should not be trusted with Queensland’s environment, overrides the state’s decision, and rejects the Vulcan South proposal.
“Koalas and the health of the Great Barrier Reef should not be sacrificed so Vitrinite can expand its polluting Vulcan complex.”
EnvA has now written to Minister Plibersek, asking her to consider the company’s environmental breach, consider the significant environmental impacts and refuse the coal mine.
EnvA - CQ 
How do you prevent Volcanos from erupting and spewing poisonous ash and gases which in the space of a couple of days contaminate more than the combined output from manufacturing and motor emission since the beginning of the industrial revolution.
How do you dispose of the windmill blades that have broken and are lying under the trees contaminating the soil. So much for solar as well what do you do with the broken panels. Electricity in battery form is more toxic than coal fumes and waste product which can be used in concrete and road base.
Richard Allen
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Thanks Richard
In short, while no energy source is without environmental cost, renewables like wind and solar are far cleaner, safer, and more sustainable than fossil fuels. Addressing the challenges of recycling and materials management is ongoing—but these are solvable problems, unlike the permanent damage caused by carbon emissions from coal, oil, and gas.
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