Mining giant Adani has shrugged off accusations it exaggerated the number of jobs its massive Queensland coal mine would produce.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Environmental organisation Coast and Country seized on revelations in court on Monday the Carmichael mega-mine in the Galilee Basin would create an average of 1464 jobs per year, not the 10,000 jobs figure more commonly associated with the project.
The organisation is looking to block the mine in the Land Court of Australia, represented by lawyers from the Environmental Defenders Office Queensland.
Coast and Country spokesman Derec Davies accused the Indian mining giant of misrepresenting the numbers.
"Adani's jobs numbers were wildly exaggerated to give the misleading impression of a jobs bonanza to offset the risks of this dangerous mine," he said in a statement.
"The true jobs figures, which this court case has forced Adani to reveal, change the equation and represent roughly 8536 broken promises to the workers of Queensland."
His comments came after the Indian mining giant's expert witness, Dr Jerome Fahrer, admitted the mine would create an average of 1464 full-time-equivalent jobs a year.
But Adani stood by the 10,000 jobs claim, saying Mr Davies had "selectively misquoted" the consultant.
An Adani spokesman said its figures included contributions from the mine, the Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen, and the 310 kilometre rail line connecting the two.
An ACIL Allen Consulting report prepared by Dr Fahrer, on which his testimony was based, considered only the mine itself and part of the rail project.
Fairfax Media understands the rail segment referred to in court is some 70 kilometres of a total 388 kilometre rail line.
"The Land Court process relates to the economic benefits of the mine at Carmichael – it does not envisage the combined tax and royalty, direct and indirect, construction and operational job benefits of Adani's mine, rail and port projects," an Adani spokesman said.
"The experts are asked to consider the subject matter before the court – which is specific to the mine."
The spokesman said the expert was also asked to assume a "lower than expected" production capacity projection.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche previously said the rail line alone could provide 2400 new jobs.
Mr Davies said even if Adani's interpretation was correct, it meant the port and railway line would have to create "8500 or so plus jobs" for the 10,000 jobs figure to stack up.
"Adani need to come clean and Premier Palaszczuk and Minister (for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony) Lynham need to refuse this project based on its dangerous and risky for Queensland," he said.
The Land Court case is scheduled to wrap up on May 4.
Speaking before that case last week Mr Davies said "mining development for fossil fuels in the age where we know the threats of climate change are huge is dangerous and should not be approved in any circumstance".