Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd

Stage 1 Project Approval & Modifications

MOOLARBEN COAL PROJECT STAGE 1

The Moolarben Coal Project Stage 1 of the Moolarben Coal Complex has commenced and at full development will comprise three open cut mines (OC1, OC2, and OC3), a longwall underground mine (UG4), and mining related infrastructure (including coal processing and transport facilities).

The Moolarben Coal Project Stage 1 was approved under Part 3A of the EP&A Act by the NSW Minister for Planning on 6 September 2007 (Project Approval [05_0117]).  Fourteen Modifications to Project Approval (05_0117) have since been approved. The modifications were generally required to reconfigure the mine layout (e.g. extension to mining areas, relocation of coal handling infrastructure and water infrastructure) and were aimed to improve the efficiency and operation of the Moolarben Coal Complex and enable access to additional economically viable coal reserves. Further information on these modifications can be found below.

 

In August 2008, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to reconfigure the Coal Preparation Plant, emergency tailings dam, transfer stations and conveyors, rail loop, coal stockpiles, UG4 conveyor, groundwater treatment ponds and a water storage dam as well as amend the wording of three clauses in the Project Approval.  The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 26 November 2008.

In December 2008, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to permit minor construction activities to commence at the site prior to completion of the main mine site access intersection off Ulan‑Cassilis Road. The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 18 December 2008.

 

In February 2009, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to allow for Stage 1 infrastructure to receive, handle and process Stage 2 coal for the life of Stage 2 (to 31 December 2038). An additional void in OC1 was also proposed to allow access to UG4.  The modification was approved by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (as delegate of the NSW Minister for Planning) on 30 January 2015.

For more information see Stage 2 Project Approval documentation here.

In April 2009, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to change the configuration of the rail loop from a figure-8 to a balloon loop layout. The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 30 June 2009.

 In July 2009, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to relocate the ROM coal facility and develop a water sharing pipeline from the Ulan Mine Complex.  The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 5 October 2009.

In December 2009, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to relocate the rejects bin to a preferred location about 250 m north-west of its previously approved location.  The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 11 January 2010.

In March 2010, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act for the development and operation of a water supply and dewatering borefield and associated ancillary facilities.  The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 3 February 2011.

In April 2010, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to establish and operate a ROM coal stockpile adjacent to the ROM coal dump hopper.  The modification was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning on 27 May 2010.

In May 2013, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to increase the extents of the approved Stage 1 open cuts. The modification was approved by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (as delegate of the NSW Minister for Planning) on 16 June 2014.

 

In February 2015, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to increase the Stage 1 ROM coal production rate from 8 to 9 Mtpa for calendar years 2015 and 2016. The modification was approved by the DP&E (as delegate of the NSW Minister for Planning) on 17 April 2015.

Application to Modify the Project Approval

In April 2015, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act enable more efficient access to the OC4 resource and management of waste rock in OC1. The modification was approved by the DP&E (as delegate of the NSW Minister for Planning) on 21 August 2015.

 

In June 2015, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to extract additional economically viable coal and improve mining and processing efficiencies associated with the underground operations. The modification was approved by the DP&E (as delegate of the NSW Minister for Planning) on 29 April 2016.

 

Application to modify the Project Approval.

In October 2017, MCM submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 75W of the EP&A Act to optimise the approved Stage 1 and Stage 2 operations at the Moolarben Coal Complex. The modification included an increase in run-of-mine (ROM) coal production from the Stage 1 and Stage 2 open cuts (OC1 to OC4), a minor extension to the OC2 pit limit, minor extensions and reductions of the OC3 pit limits, rehabilitation, water management and relocated/additional surface infrastructure.The modification was approved by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in June 2019.

In October 2019, MCO submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 4.55(2) of the EP&A Act. The modification involved the development of ancillary infrastructure to support the safe and efficient operation of the approved UG4 underground mining area. This included the construction and operation of a new downcast ventilation shaft and compound, a remote services infrastructure area, and augmentations to the approved dewatering borefield and associated access and infrastructure corridors.

The modification will not change the approved mining operations at UG4 (e.g. layout, method, mine life, production rate or workforce). The modification was approved by the NSW State Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment in June 2020.

In August 2024, MCO submitted an application to modify Project Approval (05_0117) under section 4.55(1A) of the EP&A Act. The modification was to accommodate construction and operation of Energy Corporation of NSW’s (EnergyCo) Central West Orana (CWO) Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project and other minor changes to the Moolarben Coal Complex.

The modification was approved by the NSW State Department of Planning, Housing and Industry Director in October 2024.