Take Action: Stop Caval Ridge Mine Extension

The science is crystal clear: fossil fuel projects are unsustainable. Yet, BHP is pushing ahead with the Caval Ridge Coal mine extension.

This will result in a staggering 440+ million tonnes of CO2 being emitted over the next 30 years along with a massive 545-hectare void of land that is unusable for nature or agriculture.

It is simply an environmental disaster that puts profits over our planet. We can't let this destruction continue.

Join us in sending a bold message to BHP: Stop Caval Ridge Coal Mine Extension now!

Together we can protect Koalas to ornamental snakes that are already facing local extinction due to past BHP mining.

Act today! Share your voice to force BHP to rethink their priorities and protect our environment.

Send your message

Dear BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the proposed extension of the Horse Pit at the Caval Ridge Coal Mine (the Project).
I have significant concerns about how any new and expanding coal mines can be consistent with meeting legislated environmental and emission reduction targets. Within this context, I firmly advocate for the rejection of this Project due to its significant potential to harm the environment, with no possibility of effective mitigation or offsetting for the ensuing damage. I express my concerns in detail below:
Climate Change:
The Project is projected to emit more than 440 million tonnes of CO2, making a substantial contribution to Queensland's current emissions from fossil fuels, energy, and industry sectors. This would exacerbate climate change precisely when we need to be committing to curbing further global warming. Notably, there has been no assessment of the Project's impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and its alignment with both national and BMA's operational emission reduction targets remains unaddressed.
Threatened Species and Communities:
The Project will negatively affect ornamental snakes, squatter pigeons, king bluegrass, and brigalow vegetation communities, all of which are already vulnerable due to prior coal mining activities in the Bowen Basin. Previous surveys in the Project area identified significant populations of koalas and greater gliders, which were conspicuously absent in recent surveys, suggesting local extinction likely due to coal mining expansion in the Moranbah area. The recent reclassification of koalas and greater gliders as endangered species underscores the urgency of implementing stringent controls to prevent habitat loss and facilitate rapid emissions reduction, should new coal mines be approved.
Impacts on Ground and Surface Water:
The Project intends to release mine-affected water into Cherwell Creek, with uncontrolled spills during heavy rainfall events potentially contaminating Horse, Caval, Cherwell, and Nine Mile creeks. These releases could alter water quality in the affected environment, potentially harming ecologically significant aquatic species like the white-throated snapping turtle, Fitzroy River turtle, and Isaac River alluvium stygofauna. Notably, the Project is situated within the Fitzroy River Basin, the primary source of water entering the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The cumulative effect of mine-affected water from the growing coal mining sector on water quality entering the Reef must be taken into account.
The Final Landform:
The Project proposes to leave a final mine void of approximately 545 hectares, representing over half of the total disturbance area. Given the substantial impact on threatened species' habitats, I find this level of rehabilitation to be unacceptable. Additionally, your modeling indicates a significant increase in water salinity within this vast mine void, rendering it unsuitable for livestock or agriculture. This approach falls short of best or even leading practices in mine rehabilitation and appears to prioritize economic gains over the protection of the local environment, water quality in the Great Barrier Reef catchment, and inter-generational equity.
I implore you to demonstrate how this project aligns with environmental and climate legislation, especially regarding the concerns outlined in this submission.

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