Adani gives green light for controversial Australia coal mine

Adani Enterprises has decided to move ahead with construction of a multibillion dollar new coal mine in Australia, one of the largest greenfield thermal coal developments approved in recent years.

The controversial decision follows a protracted battle with environmental activists and political wrangling over the level of public subsidies offered to the project, which could cost as much as A$16.5 billion (€10.94 billion) to complete.

"The project has Final Investment Decision approval, which marks the official start of one of the largest single infrastructure and job-creating developments in Australia's recent history," Adani chairperson Gautam Adani said in a statement.

Pre-construction work is expected to begin later this year, he added.

The company, which has still to line up funding, plans to build what would be Australia's biggest coal mine, but has faced opposition from environment groups who argue it will contribute to global warming and damage the Great Barrier Reef.

"This mine will be a disaster for the climate, the Great Barrier Reef and frontline communities in Queensland and around the world," Greenpeace spokesperson Nikola Casule said in a statement.

"We have been challenged by activists in the courts, in inner-city streets, and even outside banks," Adani said. "We are still facing activists. But we are committed to this project."

The Carmichael mine, in Queensland's Galilee Basin, includes a plan for six open-cut and up to three underground mines across an area of 250sq km.