HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

Hunter Valley Operations should continue to operate with project approval. The value and benefits of the project cannot be ignored. Many small businesses rely on HVO and the project approval would provide certainty for these businesses into the future.

We Support the Continuation of Hunter Valley Operations mining.

I am writing to express my support for the continuation of the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Project.
The mining industry remains a crucial pillar of our regional and national economy. Projects like HVO provide not only vital local employment and economic stability for communities like ours, but also underpin the broader energy transition by supporting the materials, infrastructure, and energy security needed to develop affordable and reliable renewable solutions.
The continuation of this project is essential to ensuring that we have the economic and energy foundations in place to discover and implement future alternative electricity solutions. Our community and our country rely on a stable energy mix and economic prosperity — both of which this project helps support.
I fully support the HVO Continuation Project and urge decision-makers to approve it in recognition of its importance to local jobs, affordable energy, and the transition to a sustainable future.

I strongly support the continuation of HVO and the extension of its contract. The project provides a safe and reliable work environment for employees while also contributing significantly to the local economy. HVO plays an important role in supporting local businesses, investing in community initiatives, and creating long-term opportunities for families in the region.
By extending this project, we can ensure stability for workers, maintain economic growth in the Hunter Valley, and continue to see positive investment into our communities.

I would like support this project as it employs more than 1500 people plus contractors. It also provides funds to local communities and supports local businesses.

I live in Singleton and work in the mining industry that directly supports me and i and support the development

I support the project 100 percent. The mine employs over 1500 people and supports local businesses and the community where a lot of those people live.

HVO employes a large portion of people in the area, and without it, the local economy will plunge.

To whom it may concern,
I have been employed at HVO for 16 years, I give my support to the continuation of Hunter Valley Operations. With out the continuation of both the North and South Projects the local area will cease to exist and there will be no employment opportunities for our current working men/women and youth. Without coal mining in the hunter valley there isn't many employment opportunities that don't ride off the back of it. HVO is a large employer in the area that supports both local and regional business's.
It is in the state of New South Wales best interest for the mine to continue operating.

As I have mentioned in my first lot of submissions for this Continuation Project, I believe the the company who own the current lease (Yancoal) should be entitled to mine the lease which if I am correct was granted to Coal and Allied way back in the mid ‘70’s and the mine started up as Hunter Valley No. 1 mine.
Yancoal is still mining the same lease and should be allowed to continue to mine the same lease.
I worked at an engineering firm at the time and worked on lighting plants (brand new) for the project’s start up, so even back then people were being employed and getting paid on this project.
Nothing has changed as far as people being employed and kept in jobs by this project and I see no reason for it not to continue.
There is a ratio that says that for every employee at the mine there are 3 or 4 people indirectly employed supporting the mine.
The local area economy’s are kept going by this mine and to reject the application will throw 3 or 4 people out of jobs for every worker employed at the mine.
Provided that the mine comply’s with all rules and regulations, I see no reason for this project not to continue.

The HVO sites provide important employment opportunities and resources for the economy of Newcastle/surrounds and Australian economy as a whole.

Subject: Support for the HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

Dear Sir/Madam,

On behalf of Protech Group, I write to express our strong support for the proposed continuation of mining operations at the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) North Open Cut Coal Mining Complex until 2050. This includes the extension of approved mining areas, mining of deeper coal seams, and the realignment of Lemington Road.

As a key stakeholder in the mining sector, Protech Group recognises the critical role HVO plays in sustaining regional employment, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the broader NSW economy. The continuation of this project is not only vital for maintaining over 1,500 direct jobs and ensuring the stability of hundreds of local suppliers and contractors who rely on HVO’s operations.

We commend HVO’s commitment to responsible mining practices, demonstrated through its refined mine plan that prioritises environmental stewardship, including the avoidance of impacts on native vegetation and cultural heritage sites 2. The proposed realignment of Lemington Road and construction of a new bridge over the Hunter River will significantly improve safety and accessibility for the community, especially during adverse weather conditions 2.

Furthermore, the project’s focus on mining deeper coal seams within existing areas rather than expanding the mine footprint reflects a thoughtful approach to resource recovery and land use planning. Importantly, the proposal does not increase the approved annual production rates, ensuring that mining intensity remains consistent with current operations2.

The NSW Government’s planning framework rightly emphasises the importance of balancing environmental, social, and economic outcomes. In this context, the HVO North Continuation Project aligns well with the principles of ecologically sustainable development, as outlined in the Mine Application Guideline for State Significant Developments 3.

We urge the NSW Government to approve this continuation project, recognising its strategic importance to the Hunter Valley region and the state. Protech Group stands ready to continue supporting HVO and the broader mining industry through skilled workforce solutions, infrastructure development, and community engagement.

Thank you for considering our submission. We welcome the opportunity to contribute further to this important dialogue.

Yours sincerely,
Kurt Gidley
National Manager Mining – Partnerships & Growth
Protech Group
Broadmeadow, NSW

I support the project

Coolmore Australia Submission Attached

I support the HVO North Extension as it helps sustain local jobs and support local communities. My partner works at HVO, so I see firsthand how important it is for families.

HVO contributes to the local economy through employment and utilising contractors and suppliers to service the mine. Hence, HVO is important to sustain the local community who relies on the ongoing productivity of HVO. Shutting down the mine in the near future will also disrupt the global thermal coal / energy supply chain, further driving up energy prices which are already high, where limited alternative energy resources are currently available. As an individual who works in the coal industry directly with HVO, the continue operation of HVO will impact the livelihood of my family and career.

Please see our comments in the attached submission.

The coal mines are the life of the hunter valley not to mention the 40k in taxes I pay each year

See attached file.

Climate change costs not properly considered, legal precedent ignored
The recent decision by the NSW Court of Appeal on the Mt Pleasant coal mine expansion found that the full contribution of downstream emissions (Scope 3) to climate change from a coal mine must be assessed, even if the fuel is burnt overseas.
They found that the full environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change on a locality must be considered in making a decision on a project. This should include costs like rising insurance premiums and increasing costs of repairing roads and infrastructure after extreme weather.
But the Hunter Valley Operations revised assessment specifically EXCLUDES consideration of downstream emissions in its economic assessment, and as a result it drastically underestimates the negative economic impacts of the project.
The revised assessment should be withdrawn and the full assessment required by the Court of Appeal must be undertaken for the project - and it should then be placed back on public exhibition.
Scale of project, greenhouse gas emissions and climate targets
This is the biggest coal mine project ever considered in NSW. In total it proposed to mine 429 million tonnes of coal and extend the operation of this huge mining complex to 2045.
Overall, this coal mine expansion would add 803 million tonnes of lifecycle greenhouse gas pollution to the atmosphere between now and 2045. That equates to 7 times the total annual emissions from all sources in New South Wales.
Even the direct emissions from the project, caused by releasing methane from the coal seam and from diesel used in operating the mine, will make a huge contribution to NSW emissions and make it even more difficult for NSW to meet climate targets.
The NSW Large Emitters Guide states that coal mines should be on the same emissions reduction trajectory as NSW - to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2035.
But this expansion does the direct opposite - it will result in massive increases in direct emissions by expanding the project. The expansion will actually double methane emissions compared to the existing mine (as at FY24) and then they will remain at elevated levels until 2042.
Impacts to land and water
The proposed mine expansion will have devastating impacts on land and water in the Hunter Valley.
The HVO mine complex straddles the Hunter River and the expansion intends to mine directly into strategic agricultural land and the River’s alluvial aquifer.
Mining for the Continuation Project will worsen groundwater drawdown already affecting the Hunter River’s alluvial aquifer by half a metre.
Cumulative drawdown of Wollombi Brook alluvium will be up to 2 metres and this impact will extend long after mining ceases.
Recent monitoring has identified that groundwater in the alluvium and other affected areas is exceeding water quality triggers in the HVO area. A large tailings storage dam adjacent to the river was found six years ago to be seeping into groundwater.
Instead of expanding the mine, Glencore and Yancoal should be cleaning up the huge HVO site and investing in long-term environmental remediation of it.