Australian Labor Government Approves First Thermal Coal Mine
- Idemitsu Kosan gets nine-year extension for Queensland mine
- Decision angers Greens party, may complicate Labor’s agenda
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Australia has approved its first thermal coal project since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to power, drawing criticism from climate groups and the Greens party.
The decision, made on Friday, allows Idemitsu Kosan Co. to mine power-station coal at Ensham in Queensland for another nine years. The Japanese company will be producing 4.5 million tons a year of the fuel at the mine, which is equivalent to around 2.5% of Australia’s thermal coal exports in 2022.