Glencore hits back at Miles’ carbon capture comments

Glencore says it is disappointed that Queensland Premier Steven Miles is providing negative running commentary on its Surat Basin carbon capture and storage proposal while the project is still under independent review. "Our project should be judged on the science, not misinformation or political opportunism," a company spokesman said in a written statement today. "Our fear is that Glencore has been set up by this government to fail even though we are following the CCS approvals process set up by the Queensland Government." Mr Miles has been reported commenting on the issue in Rockhampton this week, saying that based on his knowledge of environment laws he did not expect the project would get state sign-off. “I think it’s unlikely to pass that environmental test, but it’s an important and independent process so I’ll let that run its course and once it has run its course then I’ll have more to say about longer term policy options,” he said. Glencore’s Carbon Transport and Storage Corporation (CTSCo) project is seeking approval to test inject 330,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide at depths of 2.3km over three years. The company argues CCS is a safe and proven technology that can make a meaningful contribution to meeting emission reduction targets. But the proposal has drawn outcry from parties including the Queensland Farmers Federation, AgForce and regional councils concerned about its impact on water quality in the Great Artesian Basin. The Glencore spokesman said the company had followed a rigorous approvals process which had seen the environmental impact statement (EIS) for CTSCo reviewed by independent experts from the Australian Government, Queensland Government and CSIRO. "Premier Miles himself approved the capture part of the CTSCo Project in 2023 but he has refused to meet with us, despite having meetings with organisations that oppose the project," he said. "The resources sector contributes almost half a trillion dollars to the Australian economy and any transition to a low-carbon future needs to consider the livelihoods of its workers, especially in regional Queensland. "Without carbon, capture and storage as an available option in Australia, a range of industrial sectors will struggle to reduce emissions and states will struggle to meet their stated emission reduction targets without imposing high costs on households. "We believe carbon, capture and storage can safely coexist with other activities in the Great Artesian Basin – just like CSG, oil and gas do today." Glencore's final amended EIS for the project can be viewed HERE

Glencore hits back at Miles’ carbon capture comments

Industry Queensland

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