SYDNEY/CANBERRA (Reuters) – On Friday, the state government of Queensland announced blocking Glencore’s carbon capture project due to irreversible harm to groundwater used by farmers.
Glencore’s pilot project intended to inject 330,000 metric tons of CO2 underground. It aimed to test onshore carbon storage feasibility.
The project “is not suitable to proceed due to potential impacts on groundwater resources,” the state’s environment department said in a statement, however, adding that similar projects would also be blocked.
Glencore did not immediately comment.
Farm groups protested the project’s potential to poison the Great Artesian Basin, a vast groundwater network in eastern Australia.
The proposed site was not a contained aquifer and the carbon dioxide “could migrate, likely causing irreversible or long-term change to groundwater quality and environmental values if the project were to proceed,” the statement added.
It mentioned potential increases in contaminants like chloride, sulfate, salinity, lead, and arsenic.
The decision to block Glencore’s Australia carbon storage project reflects growing awareness of groundwater protection. Regarding Glencore Australia carbon, regulatory authorities cited potential risks of groundwater contamination.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the project area.
The blockage of Glencore’s Australia carbon storage project underscores challenges in implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Regarding Glencore Australia carbon, the setback may slow down efforts to reduce carbon emissions in Australia’s industrial sector. However, it also emphasizes the need for stringent environmental regulations to safeguard natural resources.
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