Queensland Greenlights Coal Mine Expansion, Despite Environmental Concerns

0:00Here's more Sydney news for March 12th. Queensland's government has greenlit an expansion for Glencore's Hail Creek coal mine in central Queensland. The project adds 24 million tons of coal production and stretches operations to 2038. This includes clearing 600 hectares of nationally significant koala habitat west of Makai. The site ranks as Australia's top methane emitting open-cut mine, with emissions possibly much higher than reported. Global advocates are outraged, labeling it a massive carbon bomb that fuels climate chaos like floods and fires. Groups like Lock the Gate Alliance demand federal environment minister Murray Watt block it to protect communities and wildlife. The state environment department downplayed risks, calling threats to biodiversity and global emissions low. Critics argue methane's potency 80 times that of carbon dioxide locks in decades of warming. Meanwhile, the expansion heads to federal review under national laws.

1:02Glencore says it's cutting emissions via pavement plans and gas studies in line with safeguards. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play, S-O-L-I, solelypillo.com.