The Queensland government in Australia is prosecuting Indian coal miner Gautam Adani’s company Abbot Point Bulkcoal for allegedly discharging excessive sediment water off the Great Barrier Reef.
According to an ABC News report, in 2017, the government had allowed Adani’s company to discharge some amount of sediment water near the Great Barrier Reef. However, the concentration of coal dust in the discharged water exceeded the permissible limit by 800 per cent.
The Adani group, in a press statement, denied the accusations of the Department of Environment and Sciences (DEC). “Abbot Point Bulkcoal welcomes the clarification that the Queensland Government has acknowledged no environmental harm was caused as a result of the discharge and their confirmation this charge is not in relation to the Caley Valley Wetlands,” the statement read.
The matter will be heard by the Bowen Magistrates Court on 23 October 2018. Adani’s company can face a penalty of up to $2.7 million if found guilty.
Environment Minister Leanne Enoch said, “Queenslanders have an expectation that companies are held to account for their actions and I’m pleased to see the department acting in line with those expectations today.”
She said, “The Department of Environment and Science, as the regulator, have made this decision based on the best available legal advice and scientific advice.”
State Greens MP Michael Berkman said that action against Adani’s company was “long overdue”.
“I hope this is one of the last steps towards Adani’s downfall, we have seen such a strong people-powered campaign for years now, most Queenslanders don’t want to see it [the Adani Carmichael coal mine] go ahead. We’re long overdue to see some strong action against the company. We know they can’t be trusted, their track record overseas is atrocious,” said Berkman.
Interestingly, the mainstream Indian media has left out the news about Adani’s law suit from their newspapers and prime time shows.