Queensland has more coal mines than ever before
Remember when BHP threatened that Queensland was going to “rue the day” that coal royalties were changed to get more money for Queenslanders? How mining companies were going to desert the state?
New data from the Queensland Government shows that there are more coal mines in the state now than ever before, with 58 operating in 2024. Production is also up – 224 million tonnes this year compared to 218 million in 2022, although down from the record of 249 million in 2018.
This is obviously terrible news for the world’s climate, the Great Barrier Reef and most life forms on earth.
It also demonstrates that BHP and other mining companies will blatantly lie in their attempts to pay less to governments and communities.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Adani selling coal to India at mates rates, costing Queenslanders $400 million
Queensland taxpayers have missed out on almost $400 million because Adani sold coal at mates rates to Indian customers, according to new research by The Australia Institute.
Australia’s fossil fuel subsidies are out of control
Now costing Australian governments $31,020 per minute, fossil fuel subsidies are growing faster than spending on the NDIS.
Mates’ rates and why Australia can’t have nice things
Australia’s natural environment is in crisis and its wealth is disappearing into the hands of a few powerful fossil fuel companies – but it doesn’t have to be this way.

