Australia rejects coal mine near Great Barrier Reef

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Australia rejects coal mine near Great Barrier Reef

This March 7, 2022 file photo shows the coral on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland. PHOTO AFP SYDNEY - Australia's environment minister has declined to grant permission for a new thermal coal project owned by mining magnate Clive Palmer near the Great Barrier Reef.

The Central Queensland Coal owned mine is located in the Styx Coal Basin, just off the coast of central Queensland.

The adverse environmental impacts are simply too great, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said in a video posted to social media.

The risk of pollution and irreversible damage to the reef is very real, as the mine is located less than 10 km from the Great Barrier Reef. The office received 9,000 public submissions on the issue in ten business days, according to Plibersek.

Central Queensland Coal did not respond to a request for comment.

The UNESCO world heritage-listed reef, the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem, is suffering from the significant impact of climate change and warming of the oceans, according to environmental experts.