In a controversial move, the Albanese Labor government in Australia has approved four coal mining projects this week, despite claiming it has given the go-ahead to zero new coal mines in 2024. The decision has sparked fierce backlash from climate campaigners who argue that at least one of the mines, the Vulcan South project in Queensland, is in fact a completely new mine rather than just an extension of an existing operation.
Greenfield Development or Mine Expansion?
Environment minister Tanya Plibersek approved the four projects on Thursday, labeling them all as expansions of current mines that would primarily be extracting coal for steelmaking purposes. She asserted on social media that “in 2024 Labor has approved 0 new coal mines.”
However, climate activists have challenged this claim, pointing out that Vitrinite, the company behind the Vulcan South mine, has itself referred to the project as independent from a neighboring mine in its environmental report published in October. The report stated:
“Vulcan South mine and its existing Vulcan mine are approximately 10kms apart and are independent projects… Vulcan South is a greenfield development and is not part of a staged development and is not part of a larger project”
Claire Gronow from Lock the Gate declared, “Vitrinite says this is a new mine. We were disgusted when we saw those social media posts. We’re gobsmacked.” The Queensland Conservation Council also expressed skepticism about the government’s position.
Vast Environmental Impact
According to Vitrinite’s plans, the Vulcan South mine is expected to operate until 2033 and would result in the destruction of 1,166 hectares of koala habitat. It would also impact the habitat of other threatened species like the greater glider, squatter pigeon and a brigalow tree ecosystem.
Climate groups estimate that the four approved coal projects combined would release over 880 million tonnes of carbon dioxide across their lifetimes, equivalent to almost double Australia’s yearly emissions. Most of these emissions occur when the coal is ultimately burned overseas. An additional three coal mine expansions approved in September are projected to release around 1.3 billion tonnes of CO2.
Labor Defends Approvals As Steel Necessity
In an effort to minimize the significance of the Vulcan South approval and the other three projects, minister Plibersek emphasized that the coal would be used to manufacture steel and that “there are currently no viable renewable alternatives for steelmaking”. Climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen also maintained on Friday that the projects were all expansions of “existing mines”.
“The independent scientific experts and the minister’s department classify the [Vulcan South] project as an expansion.”
Spokesperson for environment minister Tanya Plibersek
However, critics like Prof Lesley Hughes from the Climate Council argue this is a moot point in terms of environmental impact:
“Our atmosphere doesn’t care if this coal is for steel or power – it’s all heating our planet and driving climate pollution. Burning coal fuels the climate crisis, worsening bushfires, floods and heatwaves that devastate our communities.”
Activists Protest “Greenwashing” And Vandalize Office
Jenny Brown from the Queensland Conservation Council accused the government of attempting to “greenwash” its coal mine approvals with technical arguments, while the atmosphere will suffer the same climate consequences regardless of whether it’s a new mine or an extension.
The Vulcan South approval ignited activists, with Zack Schofield of the Rising Tide group caught on camera spray-painting “LIAR” on the glass of minister Plibersek’s Sydney electorate office. He plans to turn himself in to police, framing his actions as a justified response to the coal decisions.
Plibersek condemned the vandalism, stating “We all have a duty to call it out, wherever it happens.” She lamented that her staff had to spend the morning giving police statements instead of helping constituents with issues like Medicare and Centrelink.
The Continued Fight Over Australia’s Coal Future
The battle over these four coal mine approvals crystallizes the ongoing tensions between Australia’s massive coal industry and the drive to slash fossil fuel use to combat climate change. Labor is striving to strike a balance between supporting mining jobs and exports while still projecting strong climate ambitions.
However, with scientists warning that global coal use must rapidly decline this decade to maintain a livable climate, every coal mine decision now faces immense scrutiny and pressure from environmental advocates. They fear new mines will lock in decades more of coal dependence and emissions.
As the world sprints to transition to clean energy, Australia’s stance as a top coal producer will face intensifying challenges, both economic and environmental. The Albanese government’s deft maneuvering on the domestic political tightrope contrasts starkly with increasingly forceful calls internationally to consign coal to history. How Australia ultimately navigates this defining issue of our time remains an open and highly contentious question.
