A mineral producer received the nod to start early work on a proposed coal extension.
Whitehaven Coal was recently granted two exploration licences for its Narrabri Coal Mine Expansion, about 140km northwest of Tamworth.
Licences number 6442 and 6443 cover a combined 3721 hectares (ha) in the Gorman North release area – which spans a total area of 17,000ha. They were awarded to J-Power Australia, KORES Narrabri, Narrabri Coal Australia, POSCO International Narrabri Investment, and Upper Horn Investments on 6 September 2022. They are valid until at least 6 September 2028.
They allow the proponent to search for potential mine extension sites closer to Narrabri and the Pilliga State Conservation Area perimeter.
“The strategic statement on coal exploration and mining in NSW identifies areas where potential future coal exploration could take place. The area to the northwest of the existing Narrabri mine, known as Gorman North, is included as an area for potential exploration,” Whitehaven said in a fact sheet.
“Gorman North is covered by a government authority AUTH216, which overlaps with areas covered by the Narrabri mine’s exploration licence applications.”
Lock the Gate Alliance claims it was not consulted about the exploration licences in question.
“Unlike other parts of the state that were released under the strategic coal release scheme like Rylstone, there has been no public consultation or preliminary regional impact assessment in relation to Gorman North,” an alliance spokesperson said in a public statement.
Click here to download the fact sheet.
Related articles
Coal mine enters receivership with $1B owed
Battery minerals require up to 94 times more mines than coal says report
Shelved $1B coal project is continuing ‘at pace’ says authority
Authorities support new coal mining projects.
Add Comment