Drayton South coal mine expansion gets the green light

The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has approved Anglo American’s revised expansion plan for its Drayton South coal mine in the Hunter Valley. DPE is now recommending that the revised plan be approved by the independent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC).

Anglo American’s proposals have gone before the PAC twice in the past and have been rejected due to the adverse impact the mine may have on the horse studs nearby.

According to a DPE spokeswoman, new evidence about the coal mine’s impact as well as Anglo American’s willingness to follow PAC’s original setback, pushed the proposal to be approved.

“The department has concluded that, with appropriate management and mitigation measures, the two industries (coal mining and thoroughbred industries) can continue to operate in proximity.

“Findings from the independent Commission’s two earlier assessments as well as responses from the community, the company, the Hunter thoroughbred industry, and agencies to these earlier processes have also been considered

“As a result of this extensive assessment, the Department has recommended the project be approved by the Commission subject to strict and updated conditions,” the DPE spokeswoman said.

Included in the 23 conditions to manage dust, noise, blasting and water are:

• A strict air quality criteria which will ensure dust emissions are minimised
• A stringent noise criteria to ensure construction, operational as well as low frequency, road and rail noise are minimised
• A strict blast criteria which will ensure that blasting is carried out safely and in a controlled manner
• Water management performance measures which will help minimise surface and groundwater impacts

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Source: Newcastle Herald