Life at 50C: The Battle of Doongmabulla Springs

From the BBC World Service’s Life At 50°C strand, the inside story of one Aboriginal family fighting to stop a mine on their traditional land deep in Australia’s coal country.

Adrian Burragubba and his son Coedie are from the Wangan and Jagalingu People of Queensland. They fear a coal mine, owned by billion-dollar conglomerate Adani, will damage their sacred Springs. Adani maintains the mine is operating lawfully and the Springs are safe. The Queensland government approved the mine and says it is not impacting the Springs. Local mining communities and a majority of W&J family groups support the mine. Adani says its agreement with Traditional Owners provides opportunities and fulfils all protocols. But Burragubba and his extended family say that Native Title laws, which govern land rights and mining interests, ‘divide and conquer’ Aboriginal communities.

Part of the BBC World Service’s second series of Life At 50° - Water Crisis, reporting from some of the hottest parts of the world– South Sudan, Syria, Colombia and Australia.