The Albanese government has approved the expansion of the Middlemount coal mine in Queensland. The mine extension will export about 85 million tonnes of coal over 24 years. Conservationists warn this will add roughly 236 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, nearly half of Australia’s yearly footprint. The project will clear 183 hectares of koala habitat and 81 hectares of greater glider habitat. Middlemount is owned by US company Peabody and China-owned Yancoal. The government made some demands: Middlemount must find and relocate tree hollows used by greater gliders. But ecologists say this is useless. Professor Euan Ritchie from Deakin University called the plan “genuinely deluded and contemptuous.” He explained relocating hollows could kill gliders because the hollows might lose their suitable climate. Professor David Lindenmayer from Australian National University said the mine’s approval “condemns these animals to die.” Both species are endangered, with habitat loss and climate change being main threats. This mine is the second coal extension approved this year by the federal government after Meandu mine’s greenlight last month. Dr Claire Gronow from Lock the Gate said, “With every new or expanded coalmine they approve, the Albanese government is burning our future and burning their own credibility.” Charlie Cox from Queensland Conservation Council added, “Allowing Yancoal to extract and export another 236m tonnes of climate pollution tells Queenslanders the Albanese government does not care about our safety, our health, or our cost of living.” The Guardian has sought comments from the government and the companies involved.