Yancoal’s Moolarben Coal Mine Stage 2 proposal was referred to the NSW Planning Assessment Commission last week, with modifications to extend the mine life until 2038.
The application said the construction project would create 220 new jobs, with 120 full-time operations jobs after commissioning, expected in 2018.
The proposal seeks to establish two new underground operations and one new open pit to the east of the existing mine, which will produce 16 million tonnes of thermal coal per year.
Moolarben currently produces 13.5 million tonnes per year, and is located near Ulan in the east of the Hunter Valley coal fields.
Stages 1 and 2 will be combined to operate as one project.
The planning application said the new expansion will be worth more than $150 million in taxes and royalties to NSW and Federal governments.
Source: Ben Hagemann, Australia Mining, 1 December 2014
Image: Max Phillips
Link: http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/moolarben-stage-2-coal-expansion-goes-before-pac
