New South Wales’ Independent Planning Commission has given the green light to the expansion of the Mangoola Coal Mine in the Upper Hunter Valley.
The approval, which is subject to several conditions, is for the establishment of a new open cut mining area north of the existing mine operations. With the expansion, the Mangoola Coal Mine's life will be extended another 13 months. The mine is now expected to conclude operations in December 2030.
The conditions that come with the approval will:
The Commission stated that the project “represents a reasonable ‘brownfield’ extension of the existing Mangoola Coal Mine that would enable the economic and beneficial reuse of existing infrastructure and an orderly and economic use of land.
“Notwithstanding the concerns raised... the Commission finds that on balance and when weighed against the impacts under the current policy and regulatory framework, the Project would generate net positive social and economic benefits for the local area, Hunter region and to NSW.”
Over the next eight years, an additional 52 million tonnes for run-of-mine coal is anticipated to be extracted from the expanded Mangoola Mine.
The Mangoola Coal Mine, owned by Glencore, is located approximately 20 kilometres west of Muswellbrook and 10 kilometres north of Denman.
The mine expansion – also called the Mangoola Coal Continues Operations Project – is expected to create 145 construction and 80 operational jobs as well as provide ongoing employment to about 400 workers.
In addition, the project will generate up to $129 million in mining royalties and support more than 60 local companies.
“Glencore is pleased to note the NSW Independent Planning Commission determination to grant development consent for our Mangoola Coal Continued Operations Project in the Upper Hunter Valley.
“The project has successfully met every step of the NSW environmental requirements and will enable mining to continue for a further five years to 2030,” a Glencore spokesperson said.
The Mangoola Coal Continued Operations Project will be utilising existing infrastructure including the Mangoola Mine Coal Handling and Processing Plant, rail loop and mining fleet. The project will also involve the delivery of a new haul road overpass that will traverse Wybong Road and Big Flat Creek and link the Northern Extension Area to the main mine area.
Source: New South Wales Government – Independent Planning Commission; Australian Mining; Reuters; Mining Technology; ABC News; Glencore