Qld activists launch Acland challenge

Anti-mining activists have launched legal action against the controversial expansion of Queensland's Acland open-cut coal mine.

The Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) on Tuesday lodged a formal submission on the $900 million stage-three expansion of the project.

The group last week made a decision to pursue an objection in the Queensland Land court.

The expansion should not go ahead because of the threat it poses to the local community, OCAA president Frank Ashman says.

"Our case will be that the expansion should not proceed because of the impacts it will have on many aspects including groundwater resources, important farming land and the health of local families," he said.

Mr Ashman says the mine will destroy 1300 hectares of strategic cropping land on the western Darling Downs.

Opponents of the project have previously questioned the approval of the mine by the former Liberal National Party government in December 2014, claiming mine proponents had donated large amounts to the party beforehand.