Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) is continuing to progress its proposed HVO Continuation Project.

The mine, near Singleton, has asked the Australian Government to defer its assessment while it gathers and provides more information to assist the NSW Government with its assessment. It is also now seeking approval from the NSW Government for an 18-month extension of time to allow ongoing mining within its current approved area.

HVO General Manager Dave Foster said the Continuation Project team is undertaking additional modelling and mine planning to meet the NSW Government’s new detailed request for information.

“In view of this, we have withdrawn our project’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) application to the Australian Government until we can supply this extra information and consider any impact on the referrals under the EPBC Act.

“Our application to extend the current mining approval until December 2026 will give the NSW and Australian governments more time to complete their assessments of the HVO Continuation Project. It is also necessary to safeguard jobs for our local workforce and give certainty to our contractors, community partners, and the businesses that rely on us for work in the region.”

HVO’s Scoping Letter for the short-term extension of its current approval to mine is on the NSW Department of Planning portal.

“We are not proposing any changes to how we operate during this extension period. Consultation with key stakeholders is underway and we aim to lodge a formal application and report for by the end of November. The NSW Government will place our report on public exhibition and seek feedback before making its decision.

Dave said the team at HVO appreciates the continued and broad community and business support for HVO to continue mining.

“HVO is a successful and responsible miner. There has been mining on our site for more than 70 years. We provide direct jobs for almost 1,500 Hunter people as well as other indirect local jobs. HVO’s direct economic contribution in 2023 was $2 billion – a vital social and economic anchor for the Upper Hunter.

“Many Hunter mines are set to close in the coming years but there is strong demand for coal to 2050 from some of Australia’s key trading and security partners to provide power to its people and businesses.

“Our proposal to continue mining is more efficient and disturbs less land than another mine extension or new mine because we are proposing to largely remine existing seams.”