Two protesters dressed as bats hung upside down from Idemistu’s Boggabri coal loader in New South Wales.
The activists claim the mine, located in western New South Wales, is harming the nearby Leard forest.
“Idemitsu’s expansion will destroy 1385 hectares of forest, of which 624 is critically endangered box gum habitat,” wrote the activists on a news release.
“The forest is home to 31 endangered and vulnerable species, including the Greater Long-eared bat, the Barking Owl and the Turquoise parrot.”
Operations were halted for nine hours while police removed the protesters.
The Boggabri Coal Mine is about 15km north-east of the township of Boggabri in north-western New South Wales within the Leard State Forest. The mine employs about 150 contractors and employees.
The mine, which is 100%-owned by Idemitsu Australia Resources, produces thermal, PCI and semi-soft coking coal. In 2009 the mine exported 1.55 million tonnes of coal.