NSW coal mining has been hit hard over the last year or so as coal prices hamper the development of new mines and put additional pressure on existing operations.

Just when you think there is no light at the end of the tunnel, news last week from NSW lifted the spirits of coal workers in the Hunter Valley area. The Hunter Valley in NSW is well known for its coal mining history – an industry that has provided much needed jobs and security for the many workers and communities they live in.

iMINCO was pleased to hear about the Upper Hunter Shire Council’s plans to review its policy which at the moment bans open cut coal mining.

Plans are underway for a brand new coal mine west of Aberdeen.

Muswellbrook Coal Company briefed the local council on its West Muswellbrook project, which is already on its way to the Mining and Petroleum Gateway Panel for an assessment of its development proposal.

Deputy mayor Wayne Bedggood said he had expectations that the open-cut mining policy would be overhauled within the next few months.

Councillor Bedggood said the talks with Muswellbrook Coal have started positively and there is a lot of positivity about this, although as the holiday season approaches, things may slow down a bit.

“They couldn’t give us a lot of detail about the actual mine plan, but they have promised to release that to us, hopefully in mid-December when it goes before the gateway process,” he said.

“They’re going to come back to us at council and have a chat to us and give us a lot more detail, at which time we’ll be able to think about the impacts that it’ll have on the shire, because we’ll know exactly where the pits are proposed.”

Although the Muswellbrook Coal Company has indicated its plans for a new mine and the subsequent creation of more mining jobs for NSW coal workers, there is still a long way to go.