The Brisbane-based explorer has vowed to defend itself against the charges filed by the state's Department of Environment & Heritage Protection in relation to alleged breaches at the plant near Chinchilla.

The department said on Friday that a "detailed nine-month investigation" had led it to file charges against Linc for allegedly "causing serious environmental harm".

In a statement sent to Upstream later on Friday, Linc hit back, saying: "The company is disappointed the department has never attempted to fully understand the (UCG) process and these charges are misguided.

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