Whitehaven Coal has welcomed the judgment in the Federal Court dismissing proceedings seeking to prevent the Federal Environment Minister granting an approval for the company’s Vickery Extension Project under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act (1999).
The company sees a continuing role for high quality coal in contributing to global carbon dioxide emissions reduction efforts while simultaneously supporting economic development in the near region. There is strong market demand for the high-quality product of the type Vickery will produce.
Major employment-generating investments in the economy will be essential as the Australian economy continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. It is critical there is confidence in the integrity of Australia’s robust environmental approvals framework.