Australia gives the nod to India-backed mine despite fears for reef

Sydney

AUSTRALIA on Thursday approved a controversial Indian-backed project to build one of the world's biggest coal mines despite conservationists' fears it threatens the Great Barrier Reef and vulnerable species while worsening global climate change.

The Queensland state project was approved subject to "36 of the strictest conditions in Australian history", Environment Minister Greg Hunt said.

It came two months after the Federal Court blocked the A$16.5 billion (S$16.65 billion) Carmichael mine, largely in r…