Sixteen climate change activists have been arrested, with a number forcibly removed after shutting down Bathurst’s Canterbury coal mine for 8 hours.

35 activists from Extinction Rebellion blocked entry into the mine and locked themselves inside diggers in protest against Bathurst’s proposed mine expansion.

“Coal is cooking our climate, and we’re seeing the effects of the climate emergency in real time as fires in California and the Arctic Circle consume homes and lives,” says Julie Thompson, one of the arrestees. 

Earlier today, a police spokeswoman said “while Police recognise the lawful right to protest, our priority is to ensure safety and uphold the law.”

“In this instance it has not been safe for the protesters to be in this area.”

Bathurst is consented to take 20,000 tonnes of coal from the ground per year, but it is estimated to already be taking up to 100,000 tonnes.

The group is calling on Bathurst to withdraw its application to expand the mine, and is encouraging the government to work with Bathurst to decommission the mine and transition workers into clean industries.