Australia has blocked a proposal for a new coal mine near the Great Barrier Reef.
On Wednesday, the Australian government declined to grant permission for a new thermal coal project just off the coast of central Queensland.
The news comes after public outcry over potential risks to the UNCECO World Heritage-listed reef.
“I’ve decided that the adverse environmental impacts are simply too great,” Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said in a video posted to social media.
“The mine is an open-cut coal mine less than 10km from the Great Barrier Reef, and the risk of pollution and irreversible damage to the reef is very real.”
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