Adani gets final nod for Oz coal project

Melbourne: Indian energy giant Adani on Thursday cleared the last regulatory hurdle to commence the work on its controversy-hit Carmichael coal mine near the iconic Great Barrier Reef in Australia with the Queensland state authorities approving its groundwater management plan.

The final and last approval for the group's long-delayed billion-dollar mega coal mine project came weeks after a surprise election win of Australia's pro-coal ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Reacting to the development, Gautam Adani, Chairman of Ahmedabad-headquartered Adani Group said: "Today our remarkable journey of conviction, resilience, and commitment in Australia enters a new phase".

"I am thankful to the Queensland government and the Australian federal government for believing in the Adani Group's vision of strengthening India's energy security and creating new opportunities for the people of Australia," he said in a statement.

On May 31, the group won the first approval from the Queensland state government to protect the endangered black-throated finch bird population as part of its crucial environmental plan at the site of its mine project.

The finch management plan and the groundwater plan were the two persisting hurdles before the Indian energy giant could begin work on the largest coal mine project in the country. The mining company is now expected to start construction at the site within days.

The State Department of Environment and Science said in a statement that it has approved the most recent version of the plan, which Adani submitted just a day ago. "Adani submitted its most recent version of the plan, addressing the department's feedback, yesterday.

"The (plan's) assessment has been rigorous and based on the best available science," the department said. The group's country head -- Adani Australia Chief Executive Officer Lucas Dow -- said: "Adani Mining received advice today from the Queensland Government's Department of Environment and Science that the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Management Plan has been finalised and approved.

"Throughout the past eight years, regional Queenslanders have been beside us every step of the way and we thank them for their on-going support. We're ready to start work on the Carmichael Project and deliver the jobs these regions so badly need".