Four former directors of Linc Energy's failed coal gasification project on the Western Downs have escaped prosecution after the Crown abandoned the case.
The former executives were to stand trial for allegedly breaching environmental laws over the operation of underground coal gasification on Queensland's Darling Downs.
Former chief executive Peter Bond, and executives Donald Schofield, Stephen Dumble and Daryl Rattai, were charged with failing to ensure a corporation complies with an act.
However, the charges have been officially dropped at a mention in the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday.
The Director of Public Prosecutions told the court proceedings against the former executives would be discontinued.
Court media confirmed that orders were "nolle prosequi" for all 10 charges as the Crown confirmed it would not proceed on the indictment
Linc Energy went into voluntary administration in April 2016
Queensland's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection examined the Chinchilla operation between 2007 and 2013.
It was the largest single investigation undertaken by the environmental regulator.
The company, separate to its executives, was slapped with a $4.5 million penalty in 2018 on five counts of wilfully and unlawfully causing environmental harm.
A 10-week trial determined the company was responsible for damage from toxic gas leaking from its operations between 2007 and 2013 in the Chinchilla area.
Linc Energy operated four underground coal gasification sites in Chinchilla where it burnt coal at very high temperatures to create gas.
The ground had been fractured by Linc injecting air as part of the process and while it tried to seal the cracks with concrete and use wells to control pressure this didn't reduce risks or damage.
The operations left water polluted to the point it was unfit for stock to consume.
The DPP has been contacted for comment.
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