Finch takes stage in Qld mine case

An endangered finch will be in the spotlight on Wednesday as a legal battle continues between conservationists and the company hoping to build Australia's biggest coal mine.

Indian giant Adani plans to export at least 50 million tonnes of coal a year from its $16.5 billion Carmichael mine slated for Queensland's Galilee Basin.

Green groups this month began a lengthy legal challenge in Queensland's Land Court, citing the project's overstated economic benefits and dire environmental impacts.

Central to their biodiversity concerns is the plight of the endangered Black Throated Finch, which has only two populations left in the world - one at the site of the mine.

Conservation of Birdlife Australia director Sam Vine is due to give evidence about the finch on Wednesday.

Adani has previously defended its environmental modelling and says it has in place appropriate controls to mitigate the impacts.

The company accepts populations of the finch have declined by 80 per cent since the 1980s but says it has set aside a large area of land that would allow the finches to continue living near their original habitat.