The Coal Free Bundaberg Action Group are fighting the fight to oppose a Mineral Development License Application by Fox Resources. You can help too. Every person, every conversation, every letter to the Minister will help.

Here’s what we know

Mineral Development Licence (MDL) 3040 will give Fox Resources access to over 7926 hectares of Prime Agricultural land. Fox Resources can carry on activities including ground levelling, bulk sampling, open trenching, earthworks and pipeline installation, vegetation clearing, setting up an exploration camp, using explosives, building access roads, and fencing changes.

There are no limits on these activities, such as the number, the diameter or the depth of test bores, or the number, depth and width of trenches or pits.

The only limitation on MDL holders is that they must give the owner of the land five days notice before entering the property.

An MDL is a preliminary step toward establishing an operational coal mine.

01.

What is a Mineral Development Licence ?

An MDL allows further studies of a resource and to assess the development potential of a site once minerals or coal are discovered in the resource authority area.
Learn More

 

02.

What has already happened

The Coal Free Bundaberg Action Group began in April 2021 when residents decided to fight the first applicationof MDL 3040.

The Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart, rejected Fox Resources' application in October 2022. However, Fox Resources successfully appealed the Minister's decision in the Supreme Court, thereby reactivating MDL 3040 .

The Minister is reassessing Fox's Application. His final decision is expected in July.

The Action Group will continue to fight this application on social, environmental and economic grounds. All support, encouragement, person hours, and expertise are welcome, and financial donations will help the group be seen and be heard.

 

03.

Who Will Be Affected?

For residents of the 4670 postcode, the short answer is YOU. The access point for the MDL is to be north-west of Bundaberg near the Witts Road and Rosedale Road junction.

Approximately 9km to Moore Park Beach, 11km to Bundaberg GPO and 17km to Burnett Heads.

The access point alone will be a 120 hectare above-ground infrastructure. The exploration target area encompasses 1023 hectares of agricultural area around Sharon, Welcome Creek, Moore Park Beach, Meadowvale, Moorland and Avondale.

The Kolan River and Burnett River will be duly affected and both run directly to the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Coal dust has the potential to span more than 40km in distance depending on wind. Coal will travel to the Port of Gladstone by rail.

 

This Needs
To Be Halted

The local area, Wide Bay Burnett, is officially classified as a Priority Agricultural Area and is one of Australia's most significant small-crop food producers.

 

Adverse
Effects

Underground coal mining can have several environmental impacts, including:

  • Subsidence: The removal of coal can cause the ground above to collapse, leading to sinkholes and changes in the landscape. 
  • Water pollution: Coal mining can contaminate nearby water sources, affecting aquatic life and human consumption. Farmers are particularly concerned about their aquifers.
  • Methane emissions: Coal mines release methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Methane is referred to as ‘natural gas’.
  • Land degradation: Mining can lead to soil erosion, landslides, and biodiversity loss. The prospect of a mine in a food bowl is just ridiculous.
  • Air pollution: Coal dust and particulate matter can affect air quality, impacting human health. Especially Particulate matter 10 microns or less. There is no safe level of these.
  • Noise pollution: Mining operations can generate significant noise, disrupting local ecosystems. Fox has said its operation will be for 20 years.
  • Waste disposal: Coal mining generates large amounts of waste rock and tailings, which can be challenging to manage and rehabilitate. Fox has never stated where it will dispose of its waste.
  • Disruption of natural habitats: Mining can fragment and destroy natural habitats, affecting local wildlife. No amount of rehabilitation will bring back what was lost.
  • Acid mine drainage: Coal mining can release acidic water, contaminating nearby waterways. The Kolan River is particularly at risk.
  • Health impacts: Coal mining has been linked to various health problems, including respiratory issues and increased risk of cancer.

It's important to note that many of these affects can be mitigated with PROPER mining practices, rehabilitation, and regulation. Currently, there is little faith in the veracity of these practices.

Living close to an underground coal mine can pose a multitude of health risks due to exposure to air and water pollution, noise, and other environmental factors. Read a detailed report from Em. Prof. John P. Headrick called Let's Talk Dirt on Dust .

Some common health effects include:

  • Respiratory problems: Inhaling coal dust and particulate matter can lead to conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Cardiovascular disease: Exposure to air pollution and particulate matter has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure.
  • Cancer risk: Long-term exposure to coal mine pollution has been linked to an increased risk of lung, breast, and other cancers.
  • Neurological problems: Exposure to coal mine pollution has been linked to neurological issues like Parkinson's disease, cognitive impairment, and anxiety.
  • Noise pollution: Prolonged exposure to loud noises from mining operations can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and other hearing-related problems.
  • Water pollution: Contaminated water sources can lead to gastrointestinal problems, skin issues, and other health concerns.
  • Mental health impacts: Living near a coal mine can also lead to stress, anxiety, and depression due to concerns about health, environment, and community impacts.
  • It's important to note that the specific health effects and risks can vary depending on factors like the mine's operations, distance from the mine, and individual circumstances.

Coal mining is the most water-intensive mining process in Australia. Learn More

Underground mines can pose several risks to aquifers, region's underground water supply.

  • Water pollution: Mining activities can contaminate aquifers with heavy metals, chemicals, and other pollutants, making the water unsafe for human consumption or other uses.
  • Water table depletion: Mining can cause the water table to decline, leading to reduced water levels in nearby wells and springs.
  • Subsidence: Underground mining can cause the ground surface to collapse, leading to sinkholes and subsidence, which can damage aquifers and contaminate groundwater.
  • Fracture connections: Mining can create connections between aquifers and nearby surface water bodies, allowing contaminants to flow into the aquifers.
  • Acid mine drainage: Mining can expose sulfide minerals, leading to acid mine drainage, which can contaminate aquifers and surface water bodies.
  • Loss of aquifer storage: Mining can reduce the storage capacity of aquifers, making them more vulnerable to drought and other water scarcity issues.
  • Induced seismicity: Injection of mining wastewater into aquifers can cause induced seismicity, potentially leading to earthquakes and further aquifer damage.
  • Aquifer salinisation: Mining can cause saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers, making them undrinkable.
  • Caverns and voids: Underground mining can create caverns and voids that can store contaminated water, which can eventually leak into aquifers.
  • Long-term liability: Mining activities can result in long-term environmental liabilities, making it challenging to restore aquifers to their original state.

It's essential to protect aquifers from the potential impacts of underground mining.

Who is
Fox Resources?

Fox Resources Ltd is a Perth-based coking coal exploration company that is unlisted on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Currently, it is attempting to obtain a Mineral Development Licence (3040) from the Queensland State Government. This licence, if approved, will allow the company to explore coking coal north-west of Bundaberg more intensively.

The Coal Free Bundaberg Action Group are fighting the fight to oppose a Mineral Development License Application by Fox Resources. You can help too. Every person, every conversation, every letter to the Minister will help.

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Email us at info@coalfreebundaberg.com.au
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