Australia Fines Adani for Abbot Point Pollution

Dean Sewell/Oculi Mining giant Adani has been fined for breaching pollution limits from its Abbot Point coal terminal in Australia during Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March this year. The Queensland Government issued the company with an AUD 12,190 penalty infringement notice (PIN) on July 20 for breaching conditions of a temporary emissions licence (TEL) that was issued to the company in late March. Abbot Point Bulk Coal was granted the TEL during the cyclone which permitted an elevated suspended solid limit (100 mg per litre) on stormwater releases from the terminal during the high rainfall associated with the event. However, the company advised EHP on April 6 that a non-compliance with the conditions of the TEL had occurred with a release of stormwater from the terminal containing suspended solids recorded at 806 mg per litre. This stormwater was discharged to the surrounding marine waters. The companys environmental authority and TEL contained strict conditions that should have been adhered to in ensuring the environment was protected, especially during extreme weather events, the Government said.