The New South Wales Planning Assessment Commission’s (PAC) report into the Drayton South project recommended significant changes to the mine plan despite the company making $6 billion worth of compromises to reduce project impacts through revised mine designs, according to Anglo American’s Coal CEO Seamus French.

Beard, the former treasurer of the state, would be keen to maintain the royalties to the state’s coffers from the Drayton South project, which are estimated to be $35 million by French.

Also $70 million a year generated by the mine with local businesses would be in serious jeopardy.

The 500 people who work at Drayton, as well as 140 local businesses and community groups who are supported by the mine, depend on Drayton South being approved, according to French.

Baird’s former chief of staff Stephen Galilee is now the CEO of the NSW Minerals Council, which is also conducting a campaign on behalf of Drayton South.

An open letter to former Premier Barry O’Farrell on Drayton South by the company’s 500 employees failed to get traction.

“Is your Government going to sit back and DO NOTHING while the planning process continues to ignore the pleas of the 668 people who sent their petition to Parliament last August?” the letter asks.

“Please step in and help us keep our jobs and protect our future.”

French said Anglo American would now work through the PAC’s recommendations to better understand their implications and consider its options.