CANBERRA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Conservationists have criticized the Australian government's decision to approve the extension of three coal mines.

The government on Tuesday issued approvals for three coal mines in the east coast state of New South Wales to expand their operations and continue operating for the next 30-40 years.

Responding to the decision, Canberra-based independent think tank the Australia Institute said the three projects would generate 1.3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions in their lifetime, undermining Australia's push to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

According to the institute, it took the total number of coal mine projects approved by the Labor Party government to seven.

The Australia Institute on Wednesday published an open letter signed by leading climate and environmental organizations, calling on the government to tell Australians when it will stop approving new fossil fuel projects.

NGO the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said on Tuesday that the coal mine approvals would have consequences for Australians who are forced to live at the forefront of climate change.

A spokesperson for Tanya Plibersek, the minister for the Environment and Water, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the approvals were considered on a case-by-case basis under national environmental laws. Enditem

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