Portugal’s mining strategy may favour copper over lithium
Portugal already has the largest copper mine in the European Union, operated by Lundin Mining.
The Queensland Resources Council is calling on Premier Anna Bligh and LNP leader Campbell Newman to publicly condemn an environment lobby plan to sabotage the state’s leading export industry. Following media reports, Greenpeace has confirmed its leadership of a coalition of international and local environment lobby groups planning to systematically disrupt and delay the Australian coal industry through legal actions and by manipulating community groups.
Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said the anti-coal strategy was not only an assault on Queensland’s leading export industry but also part of a worrying anti-development agenda with potential funding from overseas and domestic ‘charitable’ institutions. “In Queensland right now, we have A$52.55 billion worth of major coal mining and coal infrastructure projects either committed or under consideration,” Roche said. “This is an industry worth A$26.5 billion to Queensland this year and directly and indirectly it provides employment for hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders.
“The current and future royalties generated by the coal industry are allowing both Anna Bligh and Campbell Newman to make significant new commitments to Queensland taxpayers during the election campaign. It’s time we heard very loudly and clearly from our political leaders over this attempt to hijack the state’s economy,” he said. Mitch Hooke, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has also spoken out against this campaign.
Roche said another alarming aspect of the anti-coal movement strategy was the involvement of government-funded agencies such as the Queensland Environmental Defenders Office. “Resource sector developers acknowledge the vital role of independent merit-based assessments under the state’s EIS process, but will have every right to question whether the groups behind this anti-coal campaign are pro-environment or anti-Queensland business,” Roche said.
Hooke said “The coal industry, which employs tens of thousands of Australians and generates more than A$50 billion per year in export revenue, is vital to Australia’s economic well-being and energy security. Without an increase in coal exports, Australia would have slipped into a recession during the Global Financial Crisis. Plans to disrupt and stop new coal projects threatens one of the key pillars of the economy. It is economic vandalism.
“Coal is a legal and legitimate industry that complies with rigorous environmental and social approvals processes. It should be permitted to expand without facing vexatious, untruthful and potentially unlawful campaigns.
“The minerals industry is committed to the principles of sustainable development and its practical implementation; spending billions of dollars minimising its environmental impact, rehabilitating lands and building long-lasting communities. It has worked closely with the environment movement to improve its performance.
“It is profoundly disappointing that the green groups, land access campaigners, academics and unions named in the strategy have now embarked on this anti-development campaign.
“Supporters of the groups named in the document should be under no illusion that they are signing on with organisations seeking to destroy a legitimate industry that underpins many regional communities.”
