ILUA approved for Carmichael coal mine

The Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) indigenous people of Queensland have authorised an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with Adani Australia for the Carmichael coal project. The ILUA was authorised at meeting of the W&J people and comes after a W&J group last week said it would challenge the granting of the mining licences for the Carmichael project in court.

The W&J Family Council challenged the approval of the mining leases by the Queensland government, arguing that the leases were approved without the consent of the W&J people.

When the legal challenge was announced, Adani criticised it as being ‘politically motivated’ and not representing the opinions of the majority of the W&J people – a view now given support following the vote to approve the ILUA. It is unclear where this legal challenge now stands following the vote.

“Adani welcomes today’s democratic vote by the W&J to authorise an ILUA with Adani,” the company said in a statement posted to its Facebook page.

“Today’s clear decision follows earlier determinations by traditional owners spanning the length of the company’s mine, rail and port projects […] to work with Adani in building sustainable and ongoing partnerships that see the benefits of these projects are shared by all in the broader community.”

The vote marks another stage in the development of Carmichael project, which includes a planned 60 million tpy coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin, as well as rail line and coal export facilities at Abbot Point. Earlier in the month, the Queensland government approved the mining leases for the project.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/exploration-and-development/18042016/ilua-approved-for-carmichael-coal-mine-2016-626/