Analysis: Coal Mining Impacts on Black-Throated Finch and Ecology

This report examines the detrimental effects of coal mining, particularly by the Adani Company in Queensland, on the Black-Throated Finch (BTF) and its habitat. The study analyzes the destruction of the BTF's environment due to large-scale coal extraction, including habitat loss from deforestation and the introduction of pollutants, which threaten the bird's existence. It details the government's responses, including legislation and regulations like the EPBC Act and the Nature Conservation Act 1992, aimed at protecting the environment and endangered species. The report also assesses Adani's management and action plans, such as proposed conservation offsets, while highlighting the challenges in their implementation. It concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of coal mining on the BTF and its ecosystem, calling for a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.

Natural Resources Management
Effects of Coal Mining on Black Throated
Finch Bird
Abstract: A law of nature states that whenever economic activities and development threatens
the very existence of flora and fauna, one policy takes precedence: there should be no net loss and one
way of doing that is by biodiversity offsetting. This, however, can practically be achieved in theory. This
is because exploitation of economic resources and other developments are usually ascertained by an ad
hoc method which in many times fails to sufficiently take into account exact cumulative effects of the
activities on the biodiversity. In this study, the distribution of the Black-Throated Finch bird (Poephila
cincta cincta) in the Queensland’s regional ecosystem and how the mining of coal by Adani Company in
the region is affecting their ecology adversely is analysed. The effect of coal mining in the Queensland
region to the general environment is examined and analysed. The Adani Company presented its
proposal on the protection of biodiversity in the areas where coal mining was to be undertaken and in
addition, gave proposal on measures to be undertaken to protect the existence endangered bird
species- Black-Throated Finch- which is found in the Queensland area. The government gave the
company a go-ahead to start mining process after reviewing the proposed measures by the Adani
company. This was done despite widespread protests and worldwide condemnation to the
commencement of the mining by the company. This paper discusses the impacts of the coal mining to
the BTF and general environment, Adani’s management and Action proposals, existing laws and
regulation by the Queensland and Australian governments and commitment plan by Adani to mitigate
the side effects of coal mining in the area.
Key Words: Black-Throated Finch. Coal. Biodiversity. Flora. Fauna
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Table of Contents
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Table
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Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Effects of Coal Mining on Black Finch Bird and
Environment……………………………………….….4
Government Policies to Address the
Issue………………………………………………………………………6
Relevant Environmental Laws and
regulations…………………………………………………………….….7
Legislative and Regulatory
Framework…………………………………………………………….………….….7
Commitment and Action of
Adani……………………………………………………………………………….….8
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Summary of key management
issues………………………………………………………………………….….8
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Reference…………………………………………………………………………………………………
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1. Introduction
There are alarming rates of decline of our diversity in this world. This has been
attributed to increased pressure on natural resources especially minerals (Hundloe,
2018). This is demanding a lot of efforts to be put forward with the aim of
conserving the environment. This will also lead to conservation of endangered
species which face extinction. One of them is the Black-Throated Finch which faces
total extinction from the ecological system due to coal mining (Josh, 2016).
Numerous other species are facing extinction due to various human activities such
as changes in land uses including deforestation and bush clearing, urban
development, unfavourable grazing methods, and changing climatic conditions. The
figure 1 below shows the Carmichael area in the BTF habitat.
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Figure 1. Carmichael area (Jean P. Palutikof, 2014)
When extracting natural resources, more often potential effects to the ecological
system are overlooked, for instance effects of coal mining to the fauna and flora are
paramount. Therefore, it is only sensible that precautionary procedures are taken
into account before the extraction process begins. This approach is very critical
because when biodiversity offsetting is undertaken, effects to the biodiversity are
certain. There are some strategic assessments put in place by the Australian
government to check and safeguard the biodiversity in areas where natural
resource extraction is taking place (Ladle, 2009).
The BTF live in forests and bushes containing seeding grasses and water. The bird
species take their food which is majorly grass seeds. The BTF’s breeding and social
interactions are not known in depth but their nests can be found in trees, bushes
and even shrubs. As it is well known, coal mining needs extensive land, thus large
tracts of grasslands and bushes are cleared ready for coal extraction. This deprives
the birds from their main source of food which is grass seeds. It is worth noting that
geographically the Black-Throated Finch’s habitat overlaps with the Galilee Basin in
the Queensland state. This basin is where large coal deposits are found and is over
500 kilometres. The coal deposits run north south in the Queensland central area.
The figure 2 below shows the area under which coal deposits are located and
mining plant will be situated.
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Figure 2. The area where coal mining is situated in Central QLD (Forman, 2019)
Although the governments of Australia and Queensland state have considered
offsetting in face of coal mining in the area and other development activities, the
efforts are not well coordinated. This is because the cases are considered on
individual basis and thus there are proper analysis the cumulative impacts on
existence of BTF due to coal mining and other developments brought by such urban
developments, forest and grass/woodland destruction and pollution due to the
activities in the Galilee basin ( The Guardian, 2019).
2. Effects of Coal Mining on Black Finch Bird and
Environment
There are numerous impacts to the BTF and the entire ecological system of the
central Queensland region that will be caused by coal mining. Coal mining leaves
large pits which form an inhabitable place for animals and bird especially the Black-
Throated Finch and other native species (Chivers, 2010). In addition, the extensive
forests and grassland and woodland clearing to pave way for coal mining destroys
the natural habitat of the BTF and native species. This will force them to either
move to areas which are not conducive to their survival and thus accelerate their
extinction. Currently in the Queensland state, in the central QLD, Adani company is
planning on clearing over 20000 hectares of BTF habitat to start coal mining. This
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will lead to squeezing of the BTF and other native species into only two of the
primary habitats. The figure 3 below shows coal mining exaction pits in Queensland
(Newspaper, 2019).
Figure 3. land destruction in Queensland by Adani company in coal mining (M.J.
Chadwick, 2013)
Secondly, the government has come into agreement with Adani’s conservation plan.
One of the proposals of the plan is proposed offset. This is proposed to be done by
gradual transitioning the BTF and other native species to the not-far-away land. The
offset land is approximated to be around 33 000 hectares. The problem is that the
proposed land of offset is under surveying and proposal for a potential mining
activity by another company (Dulias, 2016). Therefore, the gradual transition of the
birds to their new habitat does not solve the problem. In addition, the habitat in the
proposed land of offset may not have similar characteristics and thus not favouring
survival of the BTF.
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Table 1 details of disturbance areas including the BTF areas
Coal mining involves a lot of dust and poisonous gases released to the atmosphere.
The carbon dioxide and other poisonous gases released to the atmosphere leads to
destruction ozone layer which contributes to global warming, polluting of local air
and falling of acid rain which destroys structures and flora. This has led to adverse
effects not only to the endangered finch but also to the people of Queensland
(Gabbard, 2008). The rivers, springs and other water bodies in the area have been
polluted by coal extraction by the Adani company (news, 2019).
Lastly, the mining activities undergoing in the Queensland state and the larger
Australia has led to change in climatic conditions. Heavy use of explosives and
dynamites in mining has destroyed the underground water bodies on top of the
poisonous gases increasing global warming in the surrounding area in the central
Queensland (Agarwal, 2018). In addition, Carmichael mining by the Adani company
has led to clearing large tracts of land initially covered by vegetation and forests.
This has in turn destroyed water catchment areas and accelerated gradual climate
change.
3. Government Policies to Address the Issue
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The government of Australia together with the government of Queensland have
enacted various laws and legislation intended to safeguard and protect endangered
species of fauna and flora, conserve the biodiversity and the environment in
general. One, there were amendments done to the EPBC Act. The amendments
were to include some of the native species of birds found in the Queensland state
along the coal basin to the list of the endangered species (Bagchi, 2010). This in
addition, was to increase the funding to the research centres and other
conservation agencies to protect the species including the Black-Throated Finch
from extinction they face due to destruction of their habitat by mining activities
especially coal mining by the Adani company.
4. Relevant Environmental Laws and regulations
There commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 was legislated by the commonwealth parliament and
signed by the Queen of England. The Act has guidelines and measures for
protection of endangered species within the areas falling under the
commonwealth jurisdiction. In addition, conservation of biodiversity and
protection of environment guidelines are contained in the legislation. This act
ensures that mining activities are banned from areas habited by endangered
species such as the BTF and other native species and prevent them from
extinction.
The Black-Throated Finch bird is legislated by the government of the
Queensland state as the most endangered species of fauna in the region.
And therefore, measures have been put in place the government of
Queensland in conjunction with national and international laws to protect
their habitat, provision of conservation offsets by any mining company, and
conservation of water sources in the region.
5. Legislative and Regulatory Framework
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There are numerous laws and regulations for conservation of environment.
One is Nature Conservation Act 1992. This act was legislated by the
parliament of the Australia in the year 1992 and it entails measures and
guidelines put in place to protect flora and fauna, proper mining waste
disposal methods, reducing the emissions to the atmosphere and
conservation of water bodies such as the ones found in the central
Queensland where coal mining activities are undergoing (S, 2013).
The government of Australia through the act of parliament, enacted the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC
Act) in 1999. This act provides procedures intended in nationally and
regionally protecting the endangered flora and fauna, important ecological
and heritage places. This is intended to protect the endangered species such
as the BTF in the central Queensland region in the state of Queensland.
6. Management and Action Plan by Adani Company
The Adani company presented their management and conservation plan to both
governments of Australia and Queensland for approval. There is various proposal
presented in the draft in protection endangered BTF and other native species,
conservation of environment and other measures. One of the proposal is the pledge
by the Adani Company to set aside an area for conservation of the BTF and other
native species. In this proposal, the Adani outlines the land that will be used for
conservation offsets. The conservation offset land is around 33 000 hectares in the
adjacent Carmichael area. Although this offset land faces hurdles as it under
another consideration for mining activities by another mining company. The area for
offset is about 60 percent of the area to be put for coal mining.
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Figure 4 Flow chart showing the key management plans and sub-plans for the
Carmichael Coal Mine.
7. Summary of key management issues
There are various management issues which include plan to ensure safe transition
of the BTF and other native species to their habitat in the conservation offset land.
This, they say, will be done by gradual and slow forest and land clearing
(Government, 2019). This will ensure slow and directed displacement of the BTF and
other native species from the area for coal mining to the offset land. In this case the
clearing will be done in phases.
Another proposal contained in management and action plan draft is the pledge in
the conservation of the artesian bore water springs located along the coal basin.
The Adani company proposes to ensure that the ancient springs and other
important water sources located in the area will be conserved. This is a plus in the
conservation of environment.
The other management plan is the pledge to engage in conservation measures such
as funding to the research areas dealing with conservation issues and engaging in
increase in vegetation cover through activities such as afforestation.
8. Previous Recovery Actions
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One of the previous actions is the formation of a recovery committee, The Black-
throated Finch Recovery Team (BTFRT). The committee was formed in 2003 and its
main work was to ensure conservation of the southern species of BTF.it is partnered
with other stakeholders to ensure protection and recovery of BTF populations.
Other previous and ongoing actions include creation of public awareness and
assembling of a data base for surveying and monitoring of the BTF populations.
9. Recovery objectives, performance criteria and actions
There are various plans and objectives formulated and set aside by Queensland and
Australia governments in conjunction with Adan coal mining company and other
mining companies in the country with the goal being rehabilitation of areas
disturbed by mining to result in sites that will become a safe haven for both human
and wildlife habitation, less pollution and sustainability of the mined land for post-
mining land use.
Table 2. summary of recovery implementation
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10. Cost of Recovery
The cost estimated for the recovery actions and conservation measures are
expected to come from both Australia and Queensland governments. In addition,
Adani company is expected to donate to the conservation agency, pay mining taxes
and engage in public tree planting to recover vegetation and forest lost as a result
of mining. The total cost of all this work is estimated is as shown below.
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Table 3 Cost estimates
11. Conclusion
As discussed above, the Black-Throated Finch is one of the most endangered species facing total
extinction due to destruction of their natural habitat in the central Queensland region. Measures put
forward to conserve them such as safe transition of the fauna do not ensure 100 percent conservation
as it is not known on the adaptability of the birds and other species in the new habitat and their
survivability. Therefore, more need to be done before mining in the designated areas commences and
public participation should be included in the efforts.
References
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Available at: https://www.theguardian.com
[Accessed 23 8 2019].
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Chivers, D., 2010. The No-nonsense Guide to Climate Change: The Science, the Solutions, the Way
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Forman, R. T. T., 2019. Towns, Ecology, and the Land. 1 ed. London: Cambridge University Press.
Gabbard, A., 2008. Coal Combustion: Nuclear Resource or Danger. 1 ed. London: Oak Ridge National
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Available at: https://www.des.qld.gov.au
[Accessed 21 January 2019].
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Josh, J., 2016. Current Affairs October 2015 eBook: by Jagran Jos, London: Jagran Josh.
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news, A., 2019. adani-mine-environment-approval-black-throated-finch/. [Online]
Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news
[Accessed 23 August 2019].
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Newspaper, R. E., 2019. adani-edges-closer-to-mine-start-as-queensland-accepts-plans-for-endangered-
finch-21013/. [Online]
Available at: https://reneweconomy.com.au
[Accessed 23 8 2019].
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