Australia coal mine expansion halted in climate case

Australia's High Court ruled Wednesday that a planned expansion of the Mount Pleasant coal mine should be halted because planning bodies had not properly considered the local impacts of emissions from the coal.

Retired science teachers Wendy Wales and Tony Lonergan had fought for years to stop the expansion in New South Wales coal country. Local miner Mach Energy had sought permission to extend the life of the open-cut mine by more than 20 years, until 2048.

The High Court dismissed Mach Energy's appeal. It found that the state's planning commission failed to consider imposing conditions that would limit emissions “to the greatest extent practicable”.

Environmental campaigners said the ruling set a binding national precedent requiring climate damage to be considered in fossil fuel project decisions. Campaigners also said it was the first climate case to reach Australia's top judicial body.

Mach Energy said it was disappointed but accepted the court's decision. The company said it would continue to pursue available options to ensure the long-term continuity of the Mount Pleasant operation.