The Courier Mail reported that half a dozen clan groups met to vote in favor of the proposed Wongai underground project, 150 kilometers north of Cooktown.

Those in favor said the mine promised a multi million dollar windfall of royalties, infrastructure and jobs.

But Mr Hart, of the Muundhiwarra people, and some green groups, believe the small scale mine and its 15 kilometers long conveyor belt over forest to the coast at Princess Charlotte Bay will trash sacred sites and ruin pristine rivers, coastal reef and wildlife havens.

They warn it is the flashpoint for a new battlefront in wilderness conservation and sets an ugly precedent to open the way for some of the 19 other mining permits over nearly 1.5 million hectares on Cape York.

Mr Hart said that "I don't want to see the Cape turned into a quarry. I've got my ancestors' bodies lying in caves at Bathurst Heads. What damage will this do? It breaks my heart."

The Balkanu Development Corporation, an indigenous organization involved with financial, education and health projects in the region, is in favor of the mine.

Mr Gerhardt Pearson CEO of Balkanu said that "The Greenies want this shut down, well stuff them. We've been given our country back. But what can our country give back to us? What future does it hold for our children?"

Mr Pearson said the mining project to extract 1.5 million tonnes of coking coal a year was the region's best hope for economic wellbeing.

(Sourced from www.couriermail.com.au)