An immediate ban on underground coal gasification in QLD has been announced by the Mines Minister Anthony Lynham.
Underground coal gasification is a process which converts coal into gas in non-mined coal seams using the injection of oxidants.
The minister says the potential risks to the environment and agricultural industries far outweigh any potential economic benefits from UCG projects.
Linc Energy’s Chinchilla project, which used underground coal gasification, has been described by Environment Minister Steven Miles as “the biggest pollution event probably in Queensland’s history.”
CEO of the Environment Defenders Office in QLD Jo Bragg says the process is ‘insidious’ and she is not surprised there is political support to ban it.
