Australia court overturns approval for huge India-backed mine

Environmental groups have protested against the proposed mine's impact on the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most biodiverse marine areas, because of the coal would have to be shipped out of a nearby port. - AFP / Sarah Lai

Sydney (AFP) - An Australian court Wednesday revoked the approval of a massive, Indian-backed coal mine project that environmentalists say threatens the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

But while environment groups hailed the decision over what would be one of the world's biggest mines as another important step in the Aus$16.5-billion (US$12.2-billion) project's eventual demise, Indian firm Adani insisted it would go ahead.