The recruitment of an office administrator with a “security co-ordination” role for AIG’s Brisbane office does not mean the giant US-based insurer is involved with the controversial Adani coal mine.

A “breaking news” article in another publication today linked AIG to insurance for the mining company, which is experiencing difficulties obtaining cover.

The mining and railway project in the Galilee Basin more than 300km from Mackay in northeastern Queensland has drawn widespread criticism over the environmental impacts it would have on the Great Barrier Reef, water usage and carbon emissions.

Environmental groups also contacted insuranceNEWS.com.au to suggest AIG may have signed on to insure the mine because the recruitment advertisement for an office administrator says the role includes security co-ordination for “Adani issues”.

Mention of the India-based miner was later removed from the advertisements.

AIG’s long-standing policy of not discussing its business affairs publicly – a common practice at insurance companies and brokers – means it can neither confirm nor deny it is engaged in any way with Adani. While the policy is routine and sensible, in the heated controversy over the mine activists have pressured insurers not to engage.

However, insuranceNEWS.com.au has established that while Adani’s headquarters in Australia are at 10 Eagle Street in Brisbane, Adani Mining Pty Ltd maintains offices at 120 Edward Street – in the same building as AIG’s Queensland operations.

It’s understood that environmental activists’ demonstrations outside 120 Edward Street against Adani have prompted AIG to appoint a manager to ensure the security of the insurer’s staff in and around the building.