Setback to environmentalists? Adani signs major rail contract for Aussie coalmine project

By Our Representative

In what appears to be a major setback for environmentalists in Australia, India’s powerful Adani Group, close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has announced a $100 million rail contract with the Martinus Rail for the 16.5 billion Australian dollar Carmichael coal-mining project. The contract took place amidst continuing protests against the project, with pickets being organized at different sites.
Calling it “a major win”, Adani Mining CEO Lucas Dow said that more than $450 million worth of contracts have been awarded for the Carmichael project. In an Adani communique, forwarded to Counterview, Dow was quoted as saying, “We will deliver jobs and economic benefits for the regions.” The project is being implemented in the Queensland state.
Martinus Rail’s managing director Treaven Martinus was quoted as saying that they were “keen to ensure regional communities saw the benefits of the significant contract”, promising to fulfil “Adani’s commitments to regional jobs”, even as “upholding the highest standards of project delivery across environmental and safety conditions.”
Martinus Rail claims to a large-scale railway construction contractor with a focus on delivering regional railways for mining and government clients across Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Adani Group asked “regional candidates and businesses are encouraged to apply or register their interest online”, insisting, “We strongly encourage jobseekers and suppliers to register their details via Adani’s website.”
“People can also use our employment and supplier portals to see Adani’s, and our contractors’, jobs and work packages being advertised as we progress construction of the Carmichael Project”, said Dow.

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