BHP relents on longwall mining

BHP Billiton has decided to restrict its search for coal under some of Australia's richest farming country, at Caroona, near Gunnedah, but farmers are continuing a 20-day blockade against the mining giant.

In a shareholders' report to be published today, the company says environmental concerns are the main reason for narrowing its search to ridge country surrounding the Liverpool Plains.

The news is scant comfort to the farmers whose land is still being targeted for coal mining against their will.

"With the effect of the subsidence from longwall coal mining, it would probably make farming as we know it impossible within 10 years," said Tim Duddy, a landholder whose family has farmed in the district for six generations. read more

source:http://www.smh.com.au/