THE recent row between the NSW Farmers Association and the NSW Minerals Council regarding a moratorium on any new mining or coal seam gas development across the state has somewhat overshadowed the more local issue of a planned extension to Coal & Allied’s Carrington West project near Jerry’s Plains.
Submissions regarding the extension closed last Friday.
The Hunter Valley Water Users Association (HVWUA) has submitted an objection to the project.
HVWUA president Arthur Burns said it was frustrating that although the NSWFA had called for a moratorium some projects would still be given the go-ahead in the meantime.
“This mine is a classic example of what we’re trying to stop,” Mr Burns said.
“Our submission points out the danger to the Hunter River if the mine leaks and the damage to the alluvial soil as well as the groundwater aquifers.”
He said the association would raise its issues and hope it had the chance to argue its case later.
The NSWFA is calling on the NSW Government and Opposition to develop a strategic plan for the coal, and coal seam gas industries, and support a moratorium on new mineral and gas applications, renewals, or extensions, until a plan is implemented.
Hunter Valley NSWF members kick-started that call by moving a motion at the NSWF conference in Sydney in July.
In response the NSW Minerals Council likened the moratorium to ‘using a sledge hammer to crack a walnut’.
NSW Minerals Council Deputy CEO Sue-Ern Tan said it was a disproportionate and extreme response.
“The NSW minerals industry has always supported the need for strategic land use planning,” Ms Tan said.
“That’s why we are behind the NSW Government’s new Sub-Committee of Cabinet that will deal specifically with coal mining issues and develop a strategic plan for the industry.”
In Coal & Allied’s defence, Hunter Valley Operations mine general manager, Graham Gageler, said extensive consideration, planning and expert environmental advice had gone into its proposal to modify its existing development consent.
“This proposal will extend the existing Carrington mine pit by 137 hectares within lands entirely owned by Coal & Allied,” Mr Gageler said.
“It would enable access to an economic coal resource, extending the operations in the pit by a further six years, and enabling around 150 workers to enjoy greater job security.
“However, this proposal would see an extension of mining into alluvial land, including 65ha of Class 2 land.
He said the company recognised the importance of alluvial land to the local and broader community which was why in the Environmental Assessment, which was prepared by external experts, it committed to rigorous groundwater management and post mining rehabilitation similar to the pre-mining landform.
“This will ensure the right steps are taken with this very important land for future agricultural activities,” he said.
NSWFA vice president and chair of the mining taskforce, Fiona Simson, said the association was not opposed to mining and coal seam gas development but wanted to see a balanced approach taken when decisions were made about where developments could take place.
“The coal seam gas industry in NSW is expanding rapidly,” Mrs Simson said.
“Mineral and petroleum titles and applications now cover around 70 percent of the state.”
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