A small ceremonial fire has persisted for over 1,300 days on Wangan and Jagalingou Country in central Queensland, Australia. This enduring flame symbolizes a protest against the Carmichael coal mine, operated by Adani, which poses challenges not only to the environment but also to the cultural integrity of the local Indigenous community.
The mine, located on the ancestral lands of the Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) people, has faced robust opposition from community members like Adrian Burragubba and his son Coedie McAvoy, who describe their struggle as a fight for spiritual survival and cultural identity. "Where my land is, there's a mine trying to destroy my country," Adrian states. "That country is the roadmap to my history and knowledge about who I am and my ancestors."
Central to their campaign is the Doongmabulla Springs, a sacred site believed to have been created by the rainbow serpent Mundagudda—an integral figure in many Aboriginal creation narratives, symbolizing water and the land. The springs are crucial in sustaining the local ecosystem, connected to a larger underground water network vital for life in this arid region.
Hydrogeologists, including Prof. Matthew Currell, have pointed out concerning signs of hydrocarbon traces appearing in the spring waters, a potential indicator of mining-related contamination. "If hydrocarbons have only started turning up after mining, then we have to explain why," he warns, emphasizing an urgent need for a reevaluation of the mine's environmental impact assessments.
Despite findings that suggest mining operations may be affecting local groundwater more severely than initially predicted, Adani has rejected such claims, asserting compliance with environmental laws. The Queensland government even banned the proposed underground mining due to concerns over the springs' ecological health.
The approval of the Carmichael mine has sparked significant controversy, polarizing public opinion in Australia. While some local families have signed agreements with Adani for community funds, others, like Jackie Broderick, lament the environmental and cultural costs. “Mining is God in this country. One mine has divided a whole nation,” says Coedie.
The W&J people's complex history with land rights further complicates the issues at play. Their Native Title claim, initiated in 2004, faced numerous obstacles, leading to a judge's ruling in 2021 which dismissed their claim due to an insufficient connection to the land.
As the legal battles continue, Adrian and his family fight on, asserting their rights under state human rights laws to protect their cultural heritage. With upcoming court decisions at stake, the outcome could set a helpful precedent for First Nations groups aiming to safeguard their land and culture against similar threats.
In the words of Adrian Burragubba, “We come from the water. Without the water, we're all dead. Without land, we've got nothing.” Their determination resonates as a call for recognition, respect, and the preservation of cultural and environmental integrity.
