Adani drops $600m claim against Queensland activist and seeks $17m instead

Mining giant Adani has revealed it was seeking to claim more than $600m in damages from an environmental activist, a figure it has now dropped from its civil case against Ben Pennings.

Adani claims Pennings, as the national spokesperson of the group Galilee Blockade, sought to disrupt the operations of the Carmichael coalmine, its suppliers and contractors.

Adani now claims the tender to replace Downer cost it more than $17m.

Adani told the Guardian the damages had been downgraded so as to speed up proceedings.

At stake for Pennings is his family home, which is designed to accommodate the needs of his disabled son.