Coal mine expansions threaten our land, water and future. If New South Wales citizens are to avoid worsening extreme weather events, like floods, droughts and fires, then there can be no new coal mine expansions. But coal companies want to pour fuel on the climate fire. They have plans for up to 19 new coal mine expansions in NSW.
Proposed expansions: 19
Total coal: 872 Mt
Total emissions: 2.2 Gigatonnes *
* If approved, the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from these coal expansions would be equivalent to 17 years of NSW annual emissions. (2.2 gigatonnes equates to 2.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases.) x 17
NSW can’t meet climate goals, and neither can Australia or the globe, if these mines go ahead. The NSW Premier and his Ministers can take action to ensure these projects do not go ahead. Ask the NSW Government to stop approving coal expansions.
• HVO Continuation Project: Nearest major town: Singleton: Yancoal/Glencore Joint Venture: Biggest NSW coal expansion since Paris Agreement. 1,202 Mt lifecycle greenhouse gases. Adds to poor air quality in the Hunter, 164 exceedances of regional air quality targets this year to date.
• Moolarben OC3 Extension: Nearest major town: Mudgee: Yancoal: Clearing habitat ‘critical to survival’ of the Koala will ‘significantly contribute’ to extinction of Regent honeyeater and other wildlife. 87 Mt lifecycle greenhouse gases.
• Boggabri Modification 8: Nearest major town: Boggabri: Idemitsu: Recently forced into undertaking due to illegal take of water. Expected water use beyond what will be legally available. 63 Mt lifeycle greenhouse gases.
• Ulan Mod 6 Underground Extension: Nearest major town: Mudgee: Glencore: Subsidence causing damage to The Drip, iconic sandstone waterfall. 65 Mt lifecycle greenhouse gases.
• Rix’s Creek North Continuation: Nearest major town: Singleton: Bloomfield: Adds to poor air quality in the Hunter, 164 exceedances of regional air quality targets this year to date. 150 Mt potential lifecycle greenhouse gases.
• Maules Creek Continuation: Nearest major town: Narrabri: Whitehaven Coal: Extensive further clearing of critically endangered bushland. 248 Mt of potential lifecycle greenhouse gases.
• Mt Arthur Modification 2: Nearest major town: Muswellbrook: BHP: Four years extension. 193Mt potential lifecycle emissions.
• Newstan Mine Extension Project: Nearest major town: Toronto: Centennial Newstan: Subsidence risk to Eraring power station and its toxic coal ash dam. 65 Mt lifecycle greenhouse gases.
• Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation: Nearest major town: Wyong: Delta Coal: Two years extension. 25 Mt lifecycle greenhouse gases.
• Angus Place West: Nearest major town: Lithgow: Centennial Coal: ~ 15 Mt potential lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
• Coming soon: Wilpinjong extension: Nearest major town: Mudgee: Peabody: Impacts unknown
• Clarence MOD 8: Nearest major town: Lithgow: A 3 year extension is proposed from 2026 to 2029.
• Clarence Continuance Project: Nearest major town: Lithgow: Centennial Coal: ~ 15 Mt potential lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ulan West Continued Operations: Nearest major town: Mudgee: Peabody: Impacts unknown
• Glendell Mine Modification 5: Life Extension: Two year extension proposed. A larger extension was refused by the NSW IPC (October 2022)
• Russell Vale Mod 2: Mine plan reorientation & coal increase: Proposal to increase production and extend mine life by 1.5 years.
• Metropolitan Mod 4: Longwall 317 and 318 Modification: Proposal to mine an additional longwall in a sensitive area of Sydney’s water catchment.
• Mount Pleasant Modification 7: Nearest major town: Muswellbrook: 6 year extension and an increase in coal production proposed.
• Tahmoor South Mod 3: Longwall S7A: 14 month extension of mining proposed.