Mine orchid ‘threat’

ERIN PEARSON
Rare orchids stand in the way of plans to expand coal mining at Anglesea, according to Geelong Environment Council.
President Joan Lindros, said the 600 hectares earmarked for the Aloca mine expansion “must be protected at all costs”.
“The diversity of the species down there isn’t seen anywhere else in the world, especially some of the orchid species,” Ms Lindros said.
“The tragedy of the area is that there is coal underneath. Six-hundred hectares is a huge, huge area and would mean total destruction.”
Mine operator Alcoa is negotiating a new 50-year mining lease including the additional 600 hectares with State Government.
Alcoa has operated the mine at Anglesea since 1969 to feed a nearby power station. The station supplies about 40 per cent of the energy requirements of Alcoa’s Point Henry smelter.
Ms Lindros said Alcoa should at least consider digging deeper into its existing hole rather than expanding into neighbouring heathland.
The proposed expansion was futile anyway since using “carbon” to produce power had a limited future as countries moved against climate change, she said.
Melbourne’s The Age revealed the lease negotiations earlier this week, reporting the land subject to the proposed mine expansion had a heritage listing. But state and federal heritage councils were unable to identify any listing to the Independent.
Australian Heritage Council said it had been assessing an area along the Great Ocean Road for inclusion on a national list but the minister was yet to make a decision.
Aloca’s Anglesea power station manager, Stephanie Pearce, said the details of the company’s discussions with State Government remained confidential.
But she said Alcoa had identified coal reserves “that may be subject to future mining”.
“In the meantime, our regular operations continue as usual.”