The NSW Resources Regulator prosecuted Wollongong Coal Limited and Wongawilli Coal on three separate charges for failing to pay more than $288,000 in fees and levies under the state’s Mining Act.

Resources Regulator chief compliance officer Anthony Keon said the two companies had now paid the required rents and levies.

“Holding an authorisation to extract the state’s resources carries with it strict obligations,” he said.

“The government and community expects that these obligations are strictly adhered to and the Resources Regulator will take action to ensure that this is the case.

“While the required payments were ultimately made, the Resources Regulator took escalated enforcement action due to ongoing and repeated failures to meet legislative requirements.”

The court convicted Wollongong Coal Limited and Wongawilli Coal Pty Ltd for breaches of section 292C Mining Act 1992.

Wollongong Coal failed to pay required rents and levies under Mining Purposes Lease 271 totalling $25,153.33 by June 24 2016.

Wongawilli Coal failed to pay required rents and levies under Mining Licence 1565 totalling $140,250.50 by September 24 2016.

Wongawilli Coal failed to pay required rents and levies under Consolidated Coal Lease 766 totalling $122,941.00 by October 24 2016.

The court ordered the companies pay a total of $11,000 in fines and more than $28,000 to cover the Resources Regulator’s legal fees. 

The maximum penalty for each offence is $11,000 for a corporation and $5500 for an individual.