HVO South Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

HVO has been an operating Mine for many decades providing local employment, doing business locally and been very active in community sponsorship and donations. The Mine has co existed with other business, the environment and the community and remains compliant with it's obligations under the consent conditions and associated management plans. Like other similar operations, HVO is a major contributor to royalty payments in the state of NSW helping boost government earnings which in turn supports critical state infrastructure. I fully support the continuation of mining at HVO as this in turn supports local jobs and the advancement of our area more broadly.

I am a retired doctor living in Sydney, with a lifelong interest in the environmental determinants of human health, and the health of the biosphere. There is no doubt that coal mines and climate change affect both human and planetary health severely.

The HVO Continuation Project must not proceed. It is a massive coal mine expansion which will contribute significantly to Australian and world GHG emissions – this at a time when the UN has called unequivocally for there to be no new fossil fuel projects if we are to have any hope of mitigating catastrophic climate change. Of course the latter has already begun. The project will also contribute negatively to the already poor air quality in the Hunter Valley, increasing cardiorespiratory diseases and cancer, among other adverse health outcomes.

The project’s EIS (19/12/22) informs us that
- HVO North is already approved to mine 22mTpa ROM coal and wants the life of mine extended to 2050, potentially mining an extra 550mT ROM coal
- HVO South is already approved to mine 20mTpa ROM coal and wants the life of mine extended to 2045, potentially mining another 300mT ROM coal.
So this mine expansion could mine an additional 850mT (at 42mTpa) making the HVO complex easily the biggest of the many huge Hunter Valley mines. Mt Arthur, currently the #1, mined 21.3 mTpa in 2021.

Not surprisingly, the resultant GHG emissions are eye-wateringly enormous. The EIS GHG assessment uses ROM coal figures much lower than the currently approved extraction rates. It uses 18.9 mTpa for HVO North, and only 7.4mTpa for HVO South. Even if these lower extraction rates occur, the projected GHG emissions and emission intensities will be second only to Mt Arthur. They are assessed at 35 mT CO2e Scope 1 &2 emissions over the life of the project, and a staggering 1167mT CO2e Scope 3 emissions when the coal is burned. Should the complex be mined to its approved rate, these horrifying figures will be 62% higher.

This one expansion project would by itself destroy any chance of Australia meeting its emission reduction targets. It would further irreparably damage the health of residents of the Hunter Valley. The HVO Continuation Project must not proceed.

HVO has and will provide employment for the surrounding communities and in doing so allows families to achieve their dreams .

I am writing to lodge my support for the HVO North Open Cut Continuation Project.
This is a sensible modification to an approved project that has been designed so our community can enjoy a much-needed economic boost without negatively impacting other local industries and land uses.
I support because the project will deliver important benefits for the local community, including continuing up to 1500 local jobs in addition to many more indirect jobs and stimulus for local businesses.
These benefits will make a substantial long-term difference to the communities in the Upper Hunter and to NSW.
The modification sought does not change the mining method, nor increase the coal production rates.
Our community needs a diverse economy, and this can help make sure our economy prospers for decades to come.
Regards

This project provides employment not only in the hunter region, but all around the Sydney region.
The continuation of the HVO site is vital to my employment and families viability.
The HVO operations have contributed to the region via local support and community events which would have not been possible with out them.
Our families should mean just as much as the others in the country.

vital continued employment for the Hunter Valley, HVO is a supporter of our community

I'm employed by hvo & support the planning to further the life of the mine due to the employment of 1500 people & the money it donates to local charities & community programs & projects along with the millions of dollars in taxes raised for the state & federal goverments to put back into schools , hospitals , roads & major infrastructure works in our country let alone in these communities that mining supports..

I support this as it will continue to provide jobs and opportunities for people in the hunter valley

Glencore provides great community support and employs thousands of people.

I think HVO is a major asset to the community and local areas.

I support the continuation of Hunter Valley Operations. The continuation of the life of the mine will support thousands of jobs and offer support to the communities and the environment.

I greatly support this project not only as HVO south is my place of work and financial income but HVO is a fantastic place to work
HVO as a company spend a great amount of time and effort on the safe work aspects and processes of coal mining and creating a safe working environent for all employees so we are able to get home safely at the end of each day
HVO also invest alot of time and money within the local community making improvements and growing the community in positive ways such as school/education and supporting local sporting and buisnesses
HVO also has a major focus on the environmental impacts of coal mining and have very strong and intensive policies and processes in place to reduce the impacts on the evironment

This project will enable me to provide for my family. It will allow me to continue to stay in the area and support the local community.

I support the HVO mine as it provides a livelihood for me and my local community. Also a future for our children.

I 100% support Thai project as it supports the community to reach its maximum potential

I am starting a family in this area and the continuation of this mine will ensure I can support my family.

I would like to support this submission, this is our family’s livelihood/future.

Wile I believe the environment and climate change is very important, coal mining must continue to support steel making and base load power production until a more reliable way can be realised.

HVO provides the local community with a lot of jobs

I believe this project will maintain jobs in the hunter, aswell as providing money and recourses for future generations