A wholly-owned subsidiary of India’s Adani Group, Adani Mining secured approval from the state of Queensland in May.
A spokesman said, "The date for a decision has been extended to ensure the minister can thoroughly consider the large volume of material associated with this project referral."
The open-cut and underground coal mine would have six open cut pits and five underground mines and is expected to produce 60 million ton per year of thermal coal.
The project has been facing a legal challenge from green groups that alleged the expansion will dredge about 3 million cubic meters of sand to be dumped near the Great Barrier Reef, reported Reuters.
The move by the Australian government comes at the time when UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is close to considering proposal to put Great Barrier Reef on the ‘in danger’ list.
Greenpeace program head Ben Pearson said, "This mine would result in the development of a vast new coal terminal at Abbot Point in the World Heritage Area which would have required dredging and dumping, and thousands of extra coal ships carving through the Reef every year."
"Approving it now would have been tantamount to an act of provocation, with UNESCO currently mulling the status of Australia’s greatest natural icon."
Image: The mine is expected to produce 60 million ton per year of thermal coal. Photo: courtesy of dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
