Australia Backs Coal Mine Extension, Stoking Climate Backlash

The Australian government approved an extension to a Glencore Plc thermal coal mine, sparking renewed concerns from environmental groups about the country’s efforts to tackle climate change.

Glencore’s Ulan Coal Mines Pty was given the green light to mine an additional 18.8 million tons of coal and operate the mine for two more years until 2035. Australia is the second-biggest exporter of the dirtiest fossil fuel, after Indonesia, shipping out 209 million tons last year.