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China Shenhua land buy up suggests govt nod to mining
Tuesday 16 June 2009
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says news that China's biggest coal mining company, China Shenhua Energy, is purchasing prime agricultural land in the Watermark area where it has exploration rights suggests it is confident that approval will be granted for its mining venture to go ahead.
"The Rees government has effectively let the fox into our farmhouse, offering no protection for farmers or the rich soils which form NSW's food bowl," Ms Rhiannon said.
Ms Rhiannon's federal colleague, Greens Leader Bob Brown, is today moving in the Senate for the federal government to use its powers to stop mining exploration in the area until an independent water study is conducted (release and motion below).
"The act of China Shenhua buying up land suggests the company has been given the inside nod from the NSW government that mining approval will be granted.
"This purchasing of land underlines why the Greens bill to protect prime agricultural land from mining, voted down two weeks ago by Labor, Fred Nile and the Shooters Party, was necessary.
"The purchasing power of China Shenhua leaves the interests of local farmers in the dust.
"This company not only has massive interests in mining but also operates railways, ports and power plants," Ms Rhiannon said.
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