ENVIRONMENT activists fear gases found below the soil surface in regional Queensland are the result of a coal gas fire burning out of control.
Soil sampling late last month at two private properties at Hopeland, about 300km west of Brisbane, returned positive results for carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide.
These are three of the four main gases produced through the underground coal gasification (UCG) project being carried out by Linc Energy, which has a pilot plant in the area.
The controversial practice involves igniting the coal seam, with oxygen pumped into a chamber to allow for the combustion of the coal, which then produces gas.
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection director-general Jon Black said the gases were not a result of CSG, and that there were no threats to human health
“Independent environmental experts have advised immediate impacts to grazing animals and stock are extremely unlikely as the gases are located below the root zone in the soil,” he said. “The gases identified are commonly associated with combustion and are not associated with coal seam gas development.”
However, Drew Hutton, from the anti-mining group Lock the Gate, disagrees.
“The only way that fire has been caused is that … the burn got out of the chamber,” he said.
“If it is disturbed they’ll release a whole lot of toxic gas, and not only toxic gas, highly flammable gas.
“You’re actually talking about an extremely dangerous situation.”
Mr Hutton said the government must immediately halt all exploration until it can determine the extent of the fire.
Extinguishing the fire would also require the help of an international expert, he added.
Comment has been sought from Linc Energy.