Thousands of Australians protest against Adani coal mine
Massive protests were held across Australia against Indian mining giant Adani Enterprises' proposed $16.5 billion Carmichael coal mine in Queensland state. Environment groups believe the Carmichael mine, Australia's largest coal mine, would fuel global warming and damage the Great Barrier Reef. The project has been delayed over environmental and financing issues. Around 45 protests were organized by the "Stop Adani" movement.
Protests were held by the Stop Adani alliance, which comprises of over 30 groups, in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Port Douglas in North Queensland. Protesters formed human signs saying '#STOP ADANI' at various prominent locations. The nationwide protests come amid a new poll which has found that over half of all Australians oppose the Adani mine project.
Experts have raised questions on whether Adani can raise funding for the mine. The company is banking on a $700 million loan from the Australian government which has particularly irked protesters. "I think there's a very real national concern…about the idea of giving this mine a billion-dollar taxpayer-funded loan," a protest organizer said. However, Adani said it may not need the government loan.
The Adani group claims the Carmichael mine would create 10,000 jobs and earn Australia billions of dollars in royalties and taxes. It says the project strictly meets environmental guidelines. The project has received the public backing of Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. The environmental opposition has delayed the project's first phase and prompted Adani to cut underground capacity by 38%.
