Qld coalmine expansion approved by Albanese government will clear habitat and fuel climate crisis, scientists say

It’s estimated about 85m tonnes of coal would be exported over the life of the expanded Middlemount coalmine in Queensland's Bowen basin. Photograph: Koalas not Coal

The Albanese government has approved the expansion of a Queensland coalmine that will clear habitat for threatened koalas and greater gliders and add further fuel to the climate crisis, conservationists say.

The extension of the Middlemount mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin – jointly owned by US company Peabody and China-owned Yancoal – would see about 85m tonnes of coal exported over 24 years.