The federal government has approved Indian mining giant Adani's proposal to develop one of the world's biggest coal mines in Queensland. The tick from Environment Minister Greg Hunt comes two months after the state government gave its approval. Mr Hunt said 36 strict conditions would be imposed on the coal mine and rail project in the Galilee Basin. "The absolute strictest of conditions have been imposed to ensure the protection of the environment, with a specific focus ...

SANTOS’S Narrabri coal seam gas project is vital to the energy security of the eastern seaboard, but is facing opposition which has taken on a “religious” zeal, the company says. 
 
James Baulderstone, vice president of Santos’s eastern Australia division, said while the community was largely supportive of the project, the company would never be able to convince entrenched opponents. “In a lot of ways it’s become a bit of a religion for some...

Landholders continue to frustrate Bandanna Energy’s bid for a mining lease for the $1.2 billion Springsure coal project, near Emerald. 
 
The company has also sought to restructure its agreements with the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal because of the delay. Bandanna said only six objections were received over Springsure Creek and it had received “constructive responses’’ from three and was trying to resolve all six in coming weeks. “Until th...