Adani’s Australian coal mine wins further environmental approval

MELBOURNE, Apr 10 (Reuters): India's Adani Enterprises has taken a step closer to the construction of a controversial thermal coal mine in Australia after winning federal government approval for its groundwater management plan.

Adani wants to develop the Carmichael coal deposit in Queensland state, but has faced fierce environmental resistance that has turned the project into a political hot potato ahead of a federal election due next month.

Environment Minister Melissa Price said on Tuesday the project still needed nine further approvals from the Federal and Queensland state governments before mining can start.

"This decision does not comprise the final approval for this project," she said.

The groundwater management plan also requires approval from the state government, Reuters was told last week by the state's environmental department, which is also assessing a management plan for an endangered bird.

While the Carmichael project would create jobs and has strong support in the region, the ruling conservative Liberal-National coalition and opposition Labor Party both fear losing votes in major cities where voters are worried about climate change.

Adani welcomed the approval.