Wilpinjong is encouraging locals to view the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the mine’s Extension Project during the public exhibition period.
The Extension Project is to extend the life of the mine from 2026 through to 2033 with production of coal up to 16 million tonnes per annum.
The project will involve some 800 hectares of open cut extensions, as well as supporting construction activities, including road and electricity transmission line relocations.
Construction activities are expected to require employment of 100 additional people, and a peak level of operational employment of approximately 625 people is anticipated.
Wilpinjong general manager, Blair Jackson, said that the project is earmarked to deliver more jobs and financial benefits for the region.
“Wilpinjong is one of several mines in the region and is located 40 kilometres north east of Mudgee,” he said.
“As some readers may know, the mine has been operating since 2006 and we employ around 550 people, many of whom live in Mudgee.
“In fact around 55 per cent of our workforce lives in Mudgee with 13 per cent in Gulgong, and roughly another 15 per cent elsewhere in the Mid-Western Regional local government area.”
Mr Jackson also said that some residents are concerned about the potential for environmental impacts which is why the NSW Government must be satisfied they can continue to suitably manage these before the extension can be approved.
He explained the approval process for mining projects is lengthy and includes research, technical studies and modelling and close examination of potential impacts and mitigation measures.
“The approval process for an extension is very detailed and involves a number of stages, including a public exhibition period where members of the public are encouraged to make submissions,” he said.
“To give you an idea, we’ve spent over a year on the project completing the various technical studies and we have only just reached the assessment stage.
“The way it works is we submit a draft EIS to the NSW government, then they review it before putting it out on public exhibition – for approximately six weeks from January 27 to March 10.
“During the public exhibition period, the community is able to review the EIS document and make submissions.”
Mr Blair added submissions can be supportive of or opposed to the project, and in either case, they need to outline the reasons why.
“For example, if a member of the community reads the section on air quality in our EIS and had concerns as to how we could effectively manage dust levels from our operations, he or she could make a submission outlining why they have concerns,” he said.
“On the other hand if a local business owner and supplier to our mine was dependent on the project’s approval to enable the ongoing employment of his or her employees, they could put in a submission supporting the project and vouching for the mine’s economic benefits to the community.
“It’s not just the community who make submissions during the public exhibition period, government agencies also review the EIS studies to check we comply with government approval standards across the board.”
The EIS is available on the Department’s website and nominated exhibition locations, there is also a copy available at the Wollar General Store.
Source: Mudgee Guardian, 29 January 2016
