A group of locals who sought to prevent Australian miner BHP Billiton from exploring coal in some of the most productive land in terms of agriculture in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has lost their legal battle.
A press release by the Caroona Coal Action Group said that the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales on Wednesday dismissed an appeal brought by the group against the grant of an exploration license to BHP Billiton subsidiary Coal Mines Australia Pty Ltd by NSW's minister for mineral resources, finding that the license was validly granted.
On April 12, 2006, the minister granted an exploration license to Coal Mines Australia Pty Ltd, allowing them to prospect for coal on the Liverpool Plains around the village of Caroona, an area which the group claims comprises some of the most productive agricultural land in Australia. BHP Billiton paid $100 million for the permit, while China's Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd paid $300 million for another license in the area.