[Analysts have raised doubts about whether Adani Enterprises can fund the mine, at an initial cost of $4 billion, given a global backlash to investment in fossil fuels. (StopAdani.com)]
Sydney: Thousands of activists belonging to more than 350 organisations Saturday hit the streets across Australia protesting against Carmichael coal mining project granted to India's Adani Enterprises, media reports said.
Environment groups claim the mine in Queensland state would contribute to global warming and damage the Great Barrier Reef. The "Stop Adani" movement organised 45 protests. On the sands of Sydney's Bondi Beach more than 1,000 people formed a human sign saying '#STOP ADANI', said organiser Blair Palese from activist group 350, according to Reuters.
"I think there's a very real national concern that goes beyond Queensland about the idea of giving this mine a billion-dollar taxpayer-funded loan," she said.
The national rallies come as new polling shows more than half of Australians oppose the mine, reported local media.
Analysts have raised doubts about whether Adani Enterprises can fund the mine, at an initial cost of $4 billion, given a global backlash to investment in fossil fuels.
Australian Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham approved the grant of three individual mining leases for the $21.7 billion Carmichael coal, mine and rail project in November 2015.
The three approved leases are 70441 Carmichael, 70505 Carmichael East and 70506 Carmichael North, which are estimated to contain 11 billion tonnes of thermal coal, theage.com.au reported.
The approvals come after Adani secured final environmental approval and reached an agreement on compensation with a landholder last month.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the approved leases have undergone "extensive government and community scrutiny" and were a step towards securing jobs for the region.
Adani has said that more than 5,000 jobs are expected to be generated during construction and more than 4,000 during operation of the project.
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