Longwall Coal Mining and Rivers
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Created on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 23:11
Evidence is mounting that underground longwall mining is impacting heavily on the heath of rivers, swamps and aquifers. TEC is calling on the NSW Government to introduce mandatory buffer zones to protect river catchments. In 2013 the Gujarat company will seek to open a massive operation under many streams and sustaining swamps.
There are imminent threats from a number of mines to the Woronora Plateau, with up to 91% of Sydney’s southern water supply catchment; also the Newnes Plateau and Goulburn River out west and water supply areas on the Central Coast and the aquifers of the Liverpool Plains near Gunnedah.
We were successful in stopping BHP from undermining Dharawal State Conservation Area, including five large mining areas near the Woronora River, Cataract River, O’Hares Creek at the top of the Georges River catchment, and key swamps that feed the rivers. An independent inquiry found that water catchment values were more important than mining and rehabilitation proposals were unreliable.
TAKE ACTION!
Cracking draining rivers
Longwall threatenes conservation land – ABC VIDEO
A Sydney Morning Herald story and slideshow on the widespread fracturing of the Waratah Rivulet’s riverbed caused by longwall coal mining has been met with a fierce response from the mining lobby. TEC has responded to the industry claims.
Reports:
Leaked Gas Drilling Plan – ‘Discussion Paper – APEX NL & Metropolitan Colliery JV – Current Status Potential Synergy’ 6 August 2010 [1.93MB]
Australian Wetlands Review of Bulli Wetlands Impacts [1MB, 2010]
TEC Submission to Bulli Seam extension [90KB, 2010]
TEC Report: Impacts of Longwall Coal Mining on the Environment in NSW (2007)
Southern Coal Submission (2007)
Wyong Submission (2007)
TEC’s Secondary Submission to the Southern Coalfield Inquiry (2007)
TEC FOI Dossier: What Happened to the Waratah Rivulet (2007)
Report on mining damage to the Georges River [2005, 832KB]
Coal Mining and Rivers Website (Colong Foundation for Wilderness)
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