Jeff Hoops built Blackjewel into the nation’s sixth largest coal company by acquiring bankrupt mines. When it declared bankruptcy, he pivoted to other ventures, leaving polluted streams and mud-shrouded roads in his wake.
Shell and ExxonMobil are selling their California wells despite oil selling at high prices. Experts say one reason is looming liability for environmental cleanup.
The failed coal mine in Collie, 200km south of Perth, owes close to $1.5 billion to creditors, with the banks urged to "come clean" on their losses to avoid a potential disaster in WA’s biggest electricity grid.
