South32 launches legal bid to overturn rejected mine proposal
South32 takes legal action after planning body blocks expansion of a coal mine near Wollongong, citing water catchment fears.
South32 has launched a court battle seeking to overturn the decision to block the extension of its Dendrobium mine project in the Illawarra, south of Sydney.
The mining company launched the case in the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, seeking a judicial review of the decision by the NSW Independent Planning Commission to block the expansion.
The commission had refused South32’s application in February on the grounds it risked permanent and irreversible damage to the environment and in particular the water catchment beneath the mine.
South32 said its court filing was part of “a number of options” it was pursuing to ensure it continued to operate the mine.
“We continue to work with all relevant stakeholders and look at potential alternative mine plans,” a spokesman said.
“We have a long history of operating safely and responsibly in the Illawarra region and the proposed Dendrobium mine extension would provide major economic and social benefits for the Illawarra region and for New South Wales.”
“Metallurgical coal has been mined in the region for 150 years, supported by the NSW dovernment’s own policy on mining in the catchment.”
The $956m project would have seen 78m tonnes of run-of-mine coal removed from two new areas, through the digging of 21 long wall panels.
The commission notes 18 of those panels would have a void width of 305m.
“The applicant was aware of concerns raised by WaterNSW and others regarding its mine design and the associated impacts,” the IPC said.
“The applicant has made minor amendments; however the impacts remain significant.”
The NSW Nationals had backed the expansion of the mine but the state’s environment Minister Matt Kean supported the decision of the commission.
South32 had reportedly requested urgent meetings with members of the NSW government to discuss alternative proposals for the mine site, but had been knocked back.
The mining company had warned many of its 2100 workers at the Illawarra mines risked losing their jobs after 2024 if a new plan cannot be found.
A court date to contest the IPC’s decision is not yet set.