Whitehaven Coal has welcomed the announcement by the New South Wales Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) that it has approved the proposed expansion to the Tarrawonga Coal Mine Expansion Project in north west New South Wales.

 

The approval comes after what Whitehaven calls an ‘extensive community and stakeholder’ consultation process.

 

The project is now awaiting approval from the Federal Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water Population and Communities.

 

“We welcome the determination by the Planning Assessment Commission and are committed to working within the stringent conditions that have been placed on the Project,” Whitehaven Coal Managing Director Mr Tony Haggarty said.

 

“We also welcome the PAC’s approach to the management of cumulative impacts with the nearby Boggabri and Maules creek mines.”

 

The Tarrawonga mine currently has consent to extract 16.4 million tonnes of coal, at a rate of up to 2 million tonnes a year, until 2017.