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Qld coalmine expansion approved by Albanese government will clear habitat and fuel climate crisis, scientists say (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 day ago by hanrahan@slrpnk.net to c/environment@aussie.zone

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Conservationists estimate coal exported from expanded mine to release CO2 equivalent of about half Australia’s annual carbon footprint

FFS voters, reap what you sow I guess, an unlivable biosphere :(

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/11/point-of-no-return-hothouse-earth-global-heating-climate-tipping-points

Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say

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[–] Eyekaytee@aussie.zone 1 points 1 day ago

Conservationists estimated that burning the coal overseas to make steel or electricity

I don't think it's for electricity, it's used for steel:

No, the coal extracted at Middlemount mine—semi-hard coking coal and pulverized coal injection (PCI) coal—is not used for coal power plants. These types are specifically metallurgical coals, used in steelmaking rather than for thermal power generation (which uses "thermal coal" or "steam coal"). Metallurgical coal is processed and used in blast furnaces to produce steel, not for burning in power stations to generate electricity.

Unfortunately at this stage it's a bit like airline fuels, there's not a lot we can do

We have to hope Green Steel becomes a reality:

Greensteel Australia is considering two outstanding candidates for our $2.3 billion flagship project.

https://h2greensteel.com.au/location/

Our SMS group CMT350® mill design features an electric arc furnace and continuous mill technology, producing 350,000 tonnes of reinforcing bar and coil per year from the heart of Swanbank’s industrial precinct.

Feasibility studies and technical assessments have been completed and our steel mill project has received statutory approvals through the Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Government.

Civil works will commence in early 2026.

https://futureforgeworks.com.au/

Hopefully this takes off and that coal mine goes broke