One of the longest-running coal projects in NSW, Glencore Australia’s Ulan coal mine has received state approval to expand its scope.
Located close to Mudgee, the mine can now increase its underground operations after the NSW planning department granted it the required permissions.
This expansion will allow the project to add 18.8 million tonnes (Mt) of coal to its total extraction, with the site licensed for operations until 2035.
Over the next 20 years, the underground mine has approval to extract almost 330Mt of ore.
Speaking to the ABC, a Glencore Australia spokesperson said the decision made by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure was welcomed by the company.
“The modification will provide ongoing employment opportunities for people at Ulan Coal Complex,” the spokesperson said.
As part of the approval, Glencore must satisfy 13 conditions imposed on the project by the State Government to alleviate concerns or impact on local biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, Aboriginal heritage and water usage.
According to the ABC, the planning department determination reiterated that the expansion’s potential negative effects could be “avoided, managed and offset”.
The state’s assessment also notes that emissions from the project would add less than 0.1 percent to NSW’s 2030 and 2035 greenhouse gas targets.
A Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plan will be required to be produced by Glencore Australia, in consultation with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, within the next six months.
The mine’s current Environmental Management System provides an essential framework for the project, and to properly manage operational impacts, Ulan implements a real time environmental monitoring network, and procedures which trigger operational changes when required.
