Anglo-Swiss mining giant Xstrata now has a legal battle on hand with farmers in Quessland opposing a proposed coal mine near Wandoan and subsequently taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
Farmers alleged that their opposition to the farm has gone unheard by the state government, which gave its nod to the $7bn coal mine.
Xstrata’s mining lease covers 32,000ha, including 70 farming and grazing properties, and is expected to produce 30 million tons of coal per annum over the 30-years of its mine life, reported ABC News.
Commenting on their five-year battle against the mining major, Wandoan farmer John Erbacher told ABC news that he would not give up the fight to save his farm from being mined.
“Well I feel aggrieved that the Minister has prematurely approved the environmental authority but they assured the Government that they would own all the land so therefore they were given a concession,” added Erbacher.
Farmers now face the prospect of having to bitterly accept the compensation, if the Supreme Court order comes in the negative.