Proposals by mining giant BHP Billiton to build eight longwall tunnels along a 5km stretch of the Nepean River, in south-western Sydney, Australia, face being derailed by environmentalists who fear work will destroy a platypus colony and other wildlife.
BHP Billiton wants to build the tunnels to extract coal and coke for use in steel making. But it has been met by strong and vervent opposition.
University of Western Sydney associate professor Rob Close said: “The tunnels would have a tremendous impact on the platypuses. The platypus is extremely susceptible to changes in its food supplies, and any mining would change oxygen levels in the water and kill off any insects they eat.
