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Under NSW’s new mining policy, the PAC “carefully balanced the key areas of concern, including Aboriginal cultural heritage, final voids, air quality and noise, and the socio-economic benefits”, it said.
Rio Tinto is seeking to produce 10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year from the open cut complex after its current permit expires in June 2017.
A Rio Tinto spokesman told International Coal News that the PAC had carefully considered the effect of the Mining State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment and has given a balanced consideration to the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of the project which had been revised by Rio Tinto.
“Today’s recommendation from the NSW Planning Assessment Commission provides a great sense of hope for the 1300 people who work at the mine and for the hundreds of Hunter Valley businesses and community groups it supports,” he said.
“We will thoroughly review the Planning Assessment Commission’s report over the coming days and assess the detail of the findings.
“We would like to thank the thousands of people and businesses who have made submissions and supported a strong future for Mount Thorley Warkworth.
“Mount Thorley Warkworth has been a member of the Singleton community for more than 30 years and if our applications to continue mining are approved it will continue to provide benefits well into the future.”
The PAC noted the value Mount Thorley Warkworth provides to the local and regional economy including employment. Last year Rio Tinto spent $154 million with 196 local suppliers and $398 million with 551 NSW suppliers.
Despite vocal opposition by some local residents in the nearby village of Bulga, research conducted by ReachTel across the Singleton Local Government Area in June of this year, found 67% support for the continuation of the project, according to the NSW Minerals Council.
The research also found that the vast majority of respondents, nearly 87%, believed mining was ‘important’ or ‘very important’ for the Singleton economy.
Another PAC panel will need to give the project final approval.
