New coal mine proposal fails environmental and climate test

Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) has called for the proposed Saraji East coal mine to be refused, warning it poses unacceptable risks to water resources, threatened species, and the climate.

The group has lodged a detailed submission opposing BMA’s application for a new Environmental Authority and Mining Lease, citing major flaws in the project’s environmental assessment.

Dr Coral Rowston, Director of EnvA said the proposal is based on inconsistent and outdated information that prevents proper public scrutiny.

“The assessment is fragmented, contradictory, and in some cases more than a decade old. It does not provide a reliable basis for decision-making.”

The group raised serious concerns about the scale of environmental impacts, including the clearing of thousands of hectares of habitat for threatened species such as koalas and greater gliders in a region that has already experienced extensive land clearing.

“The Isaac region has already lost more than 78 per cent of its native vegetation. Further clearing will push species closer to local extinction,” said Dr Rowston.

EnvA also criticised the project’s water management plan, pointing to recent failures across the Central Queensland coal network during heavy rainfall.

“In just the past few months, multiple mines were unable to contain contaminated water and relied on emergency licences to release it into waterways. This project relies on the same system, without demonstrating it will work.”

The submission also highlights major inconsistencies in the project’s greenhouse gas emissions, with discrepancies of more than 100 million tonnes of CO₂-e across different documents.

“These are not minor errors — they go to the heart of whether the project can be properly assessed at all.”

Dr Rowston said the project is incompatible with Australia’s commitments under the
Paris Agreement and lacks any credible plan to reduce emissions.

“The science is clear: new coal developments are not consistent with limiting climate change to safe levels.”

“In the face of escalating climate impacts, approving a project like this is not justified — environmentally, economically, or socially.”

EnvA is urging the Queensland Government to reject the proposal.

“This project does not stack up. It should be refused.”