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Category: Environmental Impact / Mining Industry / Mining (Rural) / Mining Environmental Issues

Court upholds mine expansion despite environmentalists' concerns

Tuesday, 13 Sep 2016 19:11:40 | Gavin Coote

4nature president Andrew Cox (right) says the Government should do more to protect water catchments. (ABC News: Gavin Coote)

Environmentalists have vowed to continue pushing to stop the expansion of a coal mine near Lithgow, on the New South Wales central tablelands, despite losing a legal challenge.

The Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) made the decision to allow the expansion of the Springvale mine late last year, extending its life by 13 years.

Environmentalists challenged the approval in the NSW Land and Environment Court, arguing the mine posed a threat to Sydney's water catchment.

The 4nature group's president, Andrew Cox, said he was disappointed about the decision and had not ruled out an appeal.

"This doesn't make sense from the evidence that is being presented to both the PAC and the court," Mr Cox said.

He said the Government should be doing more to protect water resources from environmental hazards.

"There's something seriously wrong with our laws that are meant to protect our drinking water catchment.

"There's something wrong with mining in these catchments that it's got away with so much polluted water entering the catchments, and we'll be looking really closely to see if there's any legal avenues for us.

"The Government needs to have a re-think about how it's trying to improve the water quality of its drinking water catchments."

Colong Foundation director Keith Muir said he remained optimistic about protecting the local waterways despite the court's ruling.

"This is a disappointment, but it's only one battle, there's a long struggle," Mr Muir said.

Centennial Coal had to stand down more than 200 of its workers while it awaited the approval.

In a statement, Centennial Coal said the decision confirmed the validity of the original approval.

"We have always maintained that all issues were appropriately addressed during the most extensive of assessment processes," it said.

"Today's decision secures the livelihood of our local community while we also continue to supply the state's electricity needs."

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