The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is asking for community feedback on plans to extend open cut mining at Mangoola Coal Mine, around 20 kilometres west of Muswellbrook.
The Department’s Executive Director Energy & Resources, Mike Young, said community input is a vital part of the planning process and encouraged all stakeholders to have their say on the proposal.
“The proposal involves the extension to a new mining area immediately north of the existing operation and the extraction of an additional 52 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal,” Mr Young said.
“The proposal includes the construction of a haul road overpass over Wybong Road and Big Flat Creek to provide access to the new mining area.
“We want to hear from the community about their views on the proposal to help us make a thorough and rigorous assessment and ensure any potential impacts to the surrounding area are considered,” he said.
The mine employs around 400 people and the proposed extension would see mining continue at the current rate of up to 13.5 million tonnes of coal a year for another 5 years (until 2030).
Mr Young said the proposal and all associated documents are available on the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal.
“Hard copies of the proposal are also available for viewing at Muswellbrook Shire Council offices in Maitland Street Muswellbrook, the Upper Hunter Regional Library in Scone and at the Nature Conservation Council of NSW in the Sydney CBD.
“Once the exhibition closes, the Department will consider all community submissions received, along with feedback from other government agencies and Muswellbrook Shire Council, as part of its rigorous assessment process,” he said.
“All feedback will help us assess the proposal, so we can work towards the best outcome for the community.”
Visit the website for more information and have your say on the project by Wednesday 28 August 2019.
