MARKETS

NSW planning dept triples actions against mines

MOOLARBEN'S unauthorised clearing during construction was the only prosecution by the New South W...

Lou Caruana
NSW planning dept triples actions against mines

There have been 18 enforcement actions taken against collieries in the year to June, up from five in the previous year, according to the Department of Planning’s annual report.

Moolarben, which is owned by the Yancoal group, incurred a $A70,000 fine and $55,000 court costs for the unlawful clearing of vegetation near Ulan, including endangered native species, without planning approval.

At the time NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the judgment was an “important outcome for the integrity of the NSW planning system”

“The NSW government takes compliance with its planning approvals very seriously,” Kelly said.

“As planning minister, I was not prepared to stand idly by while a breach such as this took place, particularly as it relates to the clearing of endangered vegetation.

“The company is now required to rectify the situation by revegetating and setting aside similar vegetation in other areas for permanent protection.”

The Department of Planning said it had issued 12 warning letters, one notice and made one order as well as achieving three negotiated outcomes. Seven compliance inspections and audits were conducted to check approval conditions were being complied with.

In the past four years, 22 compliance inspections and audits have been carried out on the industry, with 63 enforcement actions taken.

Meanwhile, the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water has increased its surveillance of the coal mining industry, carrying out more than 100 inspections of mine sites in the second half of this year.

“In the last six months there has been more than 100 inspections conducted following up both complaints as well as just unannounced inspections,” the Department's Deputy Director-General of Environmental Protection Regulation Greg Sullivan told the ABC.

“We have greatly increased our regulatory focus on the mining industry, as have the Department of Planning and the Department of Industry and Investment.

“So, there really is a focus on the performance of these mining operators.”

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence: Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024

Exclusive research for Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024 shows mining companies are embracing cutting-edge tech

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets