Australia to ban coal mine near Great Barrier Reef

CANBERRA, Australia : Australia's new government plans to ban the development of a coal mine near the Great Barrier Reef.

The Environmental Minister Tanya Plibersek said she intends to deny approval for its further excavation due to the potential impact of the Central Queensland Coal Project on the reef.

The mine is located northwest of the state town of Rockhampton in Queensland.

According to Plibersek, "Based on the information available to me at this stage, I believe that the project will have unacceptable impacts to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and the values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage AreaWorld Heritage Area and National Heritage Place." The Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Area designated by the United Nations and Australia's National Heritage List, includes natural, historic and indigenous places of significance to the nation.

UNESCO is considering reducing the Great Barrier Reef's World Heritage status due to rising ocean temperatures that are killing its corals.

The supporters of the mine have 10 days to appeal the proposed refusal before Plibersek makes her final decision.

The Australian Greens, who have been pressing for the new Labour government to help reduce the country's greenhouse emissions, welcomed the announcement and urged the minister to reject 26 planned coal mines.

The mine would have produced up to 11 million tons of coal annually, which would have been an open-cut operation.