It is reported that a protestor who chained himself to a coal exploration drill rig at Bacchus Marsh west of Melbourne has come down after talking to police.

The group Switch off Coal is protesting against Mantle Mining exploration in the region. One of the members of the group used thumb-cuffs to attach himself to the drill rig on a roadside.

Mantle Mining started testing for brown coal in the area two weeks ago.

The group says the community has not been consulted and the agriculture industry will suffer if mining is allowed.

Protester Mr Shaun Murray chained himself to a drilling rig at one of the test sites. He said that "This is probably the most advanced coal project and as such, it represents the first attempt to build or undertake a new coal development in Victoria in 15 years."

Another protester, Mr Paul Connor says money should be invested in renewable energy, not coal. He said that "We need to be transitioning away from coal. Brown coal is the dirtiest kind of coal."

He added that "Mantle Mining is claiming that they can burn the brown coal slightly more efficiently, but this technology that they're planning to use is in no way compatible with a safe climate future for this planet."

Premier Mr Ted Baillieu says there is no guarantee Mantle Mining will be granted a mining permit at Bacchus Marsh. He said that "We have different provisions in Victoria and to the extent that Mantle Mining has been seeking or they have an exploration permit, that's all they have and they don't have any development permits."

As the protest continues, Environment Victoria Mr Mark Wakeham has told a state parliamentary inquiry there should be a moratorium on coal seam gas projects pending a thorough investigation. He said that "We'd like to make sure that we look properly at the implications of developing a coal seam gas industry in Victoria."

The organization says the environmental impact assessment of the projects is insufficient.

(Sourced from abc.net.au)