Modification 5 Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project

This project will enable ongoing employment for current workers and future generations of workers.
This project will continue to support local businesses and the families dependent on those businesses.
This project will continue to support the state of NSW by providing royalties that provide revenue for public infrastructure, essential services, hospitals and schools.
The Bloomfield Group support the local community and manage the environmental responsibilities expected of a mining company.

My name is Brendon Avery, and I’ve proudly worked for The Bloomfield Group for the past 18 years. Over that time, I completed my electrical apprenticeship, and today I hold a Statutory Electrical Certificate of Competence, issued by the NSW Government.

This isn’t just a job to me — it's been my career, my livelihood, and a big part of my life. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting the Bloomfield Continuation Project (MOD 5). I’ve seen firsthand the difference this work makes, not just for me, but for hundreds of people across our community.

Supporting Jobs and Local Families
Continuing mining operations means job security — for me, for my workmates, for local contractors, and for countless small businesses that supply and support us. It means that families like mine can continue to build their lives here, in the towns and communities we’re proud to call home.

This is more important to me now than ever. My partner and I are currently preparing to welcome our first child into the world. Knowing that I have secure, stable employment gives me the confidence to raise a family right here in our community. I want my child to grow up with the same strong, local opportunities that I’ve been fortunate enough to have — surrounded by a community that supports each other.

The project will also generate important tax revenue and royalties, helping to fund NSW hospitals, schools, essential services, and infrastructure. It feels good knowing that the work we do each day contributes to something bigger, reaching far beyond the mine.

A Different Kind of Mining Company
Bloomfield is significantly different from many other mining companies. Being smaller in size, we are able to stay closely connected to our people, our customers, and our communities. We aren’t a massive corporate machine — we are a locally based, Australian-owned and operated company that genuinely cares about the regions we work in.

Our long-term, loyal customers trust us because we stand by our commitments, supplying high-quality coal for specialised uses, not just for exports or quick profits. That trust and those relationships are built over decades and are a big part of why Bloomfield operates the way it does — with care, responsibility, and a genuine local focus.

Giving Back to Our Communities
One of the things I’m most proud of working for Bloomfield is how much the company gives back. Through The Bloomfield Group Foundation, we support countless local initiatives — from community groups to sports clubs and charities. Continuing our operations means we can keep making those investments that strengthen and lift up our local area.

Looking After the Land
I care deeply about the land we work on. The changes proposed under MOD 5 — like reducing the final void and softening slope angles — will leave the land in a better shape for future generations. We’re not just extracting resources; we’re thinking ahead, planning for the land’s future use, like cattle grazing, and making sure we leave it better than we found it.

Fixing the Past for a Safer Future
Mining has been part of this site’s story since the 1850s. MOD 5 gives us a chance to fix some of the legacy issues left behind from the old days — removing shallow underground workings that could otherwise lead to subsidence and surface instability.

Rehabilitation is key to creating a safer future. We’re not just patching over old problems; we’re reshaping and restoring the land so it can be returned to a usable, productive facility for activities like agriculture and grazing. By properly rehabilitating the site, we’re ensuring it remains safe, stable, and valuable — not just for us today, but for the next generation, including my own child.

In short, this project isn’t just about continuing mining. It’s about supporting local families, giving back to our communities, caring for the environment, maintaining long-term customer relationships, strengthening an Australian-owned business, and leaving the land better for the generations that follow.

I’m proud of the work we do at Bloomfield, and I strongly support the Bloomfield Continuation Project (MOD 5).

Brendon Avery
Employee of The Bloomfield Group
Statutory Electrical Certificate of Competence Holder

The Bloomfield Mine has offered employment opportunities to the people of the lower Hunter Valley for over 80 years & to my family for many of these. To see that continue to the completion of the resource will benefit not only the employees & their families but also the many local community organisations that the Bloomfield Group Foundation supports. I strongly support the approval of this project

I strongly support this project. As a current employee of The Bloomfield Group, I am fully aware of the benefits that the Bloomfield Mine creates for employees, contractors and suppliers. There are also several other benefits that are well set out in the EIS. It is clear that this short extension of the life of mine will create many economic and community based benefits and allow for best use of existing infrastructure; as well as allowing the mine to transition to post mining landform in the most effective way.

I wish to express my support for the Modification 5 proposal for the Bloomfield Colliery continuation project. I believe the project will provide a range of significant benefits for the local community, the State of New South Wales, and Australia more broadly.

Employment and Economic Benefits
The continuation of mining operations will secure ongoing employment opportunities for Bloomfield’s employees, contractors, and numerous local supply businesses. This is particularly important for the economic stability of the region. In addition, the project will generate further taxation revenue for both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. Importantly, the royalties paid on the additional resources mined will contribute directly to funding vital services such as hospitals, schools, emergency services, and infrastructure projects across New South Wales.

Community Investment
Bloomfield has a long-standing history of supporting local community organisations through The Bloomfield Group Foundation. Continued operations will enable this valuable contribution to the community to continue, ensuring that social programs and initiatives in the region are sustained.

Environmental and Landform Improvements
The proposed modification offers clear environmental benefits. It will improve the final landform by reducing the size of the final void and lessening rehabilitated slope angles, enhancing the site's suitability for future agricultural use, such as cattle grazing. Furthermore, the project presents an opportunity to address legacy issues from historic underground mining activities, improving long-term surface stability and reducing potential subsidence risks.

Management of Environmental Impacts
Comprehensive technical studies undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) demonstrate that ongoing operations can be managed to meet the strict requirements for air quality, noise, and blasting impacts. A detailed biodiversity offset strategy has also been developed to address and mitigate ecological impacts associated with vegetation disturbance, ensuring a responsible approach to environmental stewardship.

In summary, the continuation of the Bloomfield Colliery through Modification 5 represents a balanced and responsible approach to resource development — delivering strong economic, community, and environmental outcomes. I respectfully urge the Department to support the approval of the project.

Coal is essential to Australia's prosperity and industry . Bloomfield is not a new mine, mining has taken place at the site since the 1850's with Bloomfield taking over the site in 1937.
No increase in coal production is proposed under this extension. It is merely the continuation of existing operations which will secure the continued employement of around 100 people in a region that desperately need jobs, and will help secure economic benefits for the region for the next decade. This continuation of the existing mine does not involve any additional equipment or additional infrastructure and will not increase noise, visual impacts or be closer to residential areas.
An important environmental benefit of this proposal, is that it enables changes to the current post mining landform, enabling a reduction the final void size and slope angles, which simplifies and streamlines the final rehabilitation, and enhances future land use.

I believe it is important to the local industry

I support the project as there will
Be great employment benefits for the community
As well as investments in the local area

We would like to express our support for the proposed modification to extend operations at the Bloomfield Colliery until 31 December 2035.

The continuation of this project offers significant economic and social benefits. Extending the life of the colliery will support sustained employment for workers, contractors, and local businesses that rely on the mine's operation. In addition, the continued collection of taxes should provide valuable revenue for both the New South Wales and Commonwealth Governments—funds that contribute to essential public services, including healthcare and education.

It is also commendable that the continuation does not involve any increase in production levels or additional infrastructure. The existing natural landscape should continue to provide effective visual and acoustic buffers, ensuring that the operation remains respectful of nearby communities.

Importantly, Bloomfield’s ongoing investment in local community programs further underscores the broader value of this project beyond its direct economic contributions.

For these reasons, we support the continuation of the Bloomfield Colliery and encourage its approval.

Fantastic for local jobs. The only locally owned miner which is great for sovereignty of Australia and benefit of Australia.

I strongly support approving the project, as allowing a continuation of mining in and adjacent to the current area will bring a number of benefits to the local community and land being mined:
1) Continued mining will mean ongoing employment for current employees, contractors and supply companies. There will be additional taxation payable to both the State and Commonwealth Governments from the additional years of mining. Royalties will also be paid to the State on the additional resource that will be mined. These royalties contribute to funding NSW hospitals, schools, essential services, and infrastructure projects.
2) Improved final landform: The proposed modification would result in beneficial changes to the currently approved post mining landform by reducing the size of the final void and reducing rehabilitated slope angles, which benefit the final land use (cattle grazing).
3) Opportunity to address legacy matters associated with the site: Mining has been carried out at the site since the late 1850s. This project provides the opportunity to mine an area of shallow historic underground workings, thereby removing the potential for subsidence and voids to occur at the surface and providing improved long term stability benefits for the final landform.

The extension of the Bloomfield colliery approval by 5 years is a reasonable and logical project that will provide ongoing royalties and benefits to the state of NSW and the Cessnock LGA. It is a brownfield site with a long history of supplying high quality coal to Japan in particular. I support the proposed extension.

I know Bloomfield to be a responsible employer and a valued contributor to the community. They have an excellent environmental, community and health and safety record. The continuation of the Bloomfield operation will extend job security for employees and facilitate Bloomfield's ongoing economic and social contribution to the Maitland and broader Hunter Valley community.

I fully support the proposed continuation of mining operations at the Bloomfield Colliery through to 2035. The Bloomfield Group has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to responsible mining practices, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
The project's design reflects a thoughtful approach to minimizing environmental impacts. Notably, the proposed modification aims to reduce the size of the final void and rehabilitated slope angles, enhancing the land's suitability for post-mining uses such as cattle grazing. Additionally, addressing legacy issues by mining areas of historic underground workings will mitigate potential subsidence risks, contributing to the long-term stability of the landform.
Economically, the continuation of operations will sustain employment for approximately 93 personnel and support local contractors and suppliers. The project's extension will also generate additional royalties and taxes, benefiting the broader New South Wales community through funding for hospitals, schools, and infrastructure projects.
Furthermore, the Bloomfield Group's proactive community engagement—through consultative committees, newsletters, and surveys—demonstrates a genuine commitment to incorporating community feedback into their operations.
In summary, the continuation project balances economic benefits with environmental and social responsibilities, making it a valuable initiative for both the local community and the state.

I wish to express my strong support for the Bloomfield Colliery Continuation Project. I am a long term resident of the Hunter Valley and have been involved with and seen the huge benefits that mining has provided to the region and to NSW.
In my opinion, the Project is a continuation of the current mining activities which involves a modest increase in the footprint of the operation. Bloomfield Mine has demonstrated that it can manage the environmental impacts from the operation with very few issues raised by the local community and a large proportion of local residents unaware of the existence of the mine. The project will provide benefits to the final landform with flatter final slopes and reduced void size by continuing the mining operation as well as providing the opportunity to address subsidence from historic underground mining activities on the site.
The continuation of mining on the well-established site will allow the recovery of the coal resource proposed by the project with the Royalty benefits to NSW. The contributions made by the company will continue with support to many local organisations and there will be the benefits to individuals and the community from ongoing employment for the workforce including contractors and businesses providing support and services to the mine. In the current economic climate, the State and the community cannot afford to pass up opportunities that provide such overall positive benefits for now and into the future.

This project will provide employment and economic benefits for the local community, the State of NSW, and Australia.
Continued mining will mean ongoing employment for employees, contractors and supply companies. There will be additional taxation payable to both the State and Commonwealth Governments from the additional years of mining. Royalties will also be paid to the State on the additional resource that will be mined. These royalties contribute to funding NSW hospitals, schools, essential services, and infrastructure projects.
Continued mining will mean ongoing investment in the many community organisations Bloomfield supports in the local area through The Bloomfield Group Foundation.
The proposed modification would result in beneficial changes to the currently approved post mining landform by reducing the size of the final void and reducing rehabilitated slope angles, which benefit the final land use (cattle grazing).
Mining has been carried out at the site since the late 1850s. The project provides the opportunity to mine an area of shallow historic underground workings, thereby removing the potential for subsidence and voids to occur at the surface and providing improved long term stability benefits for the final landform.
As part of preparing the EIS, a series of specialist technical studies were completed, indicating that the continuation of operations can be undertaken and managed to meet the requirements for air quality, noise and blasting.

I support the project for continued local employment opportunities. The continuation will allow improved final landform outcomes with a reduced risk of future subsidence issues from low cover underground workings.

The Bloomfield Group is a wonderful Australian company that has been operating in the Hunter for decades. They support their community in many ways and run best practice operations. This continuation proposes business as usual operations that will see benefits flow to our community for the next decade. The project should be approved.

I strongly support the proposed extension of the mine, given the significant and ongoing benefits it will bring to the local community, the State of New South Wales, and Australia as a whole. Continued operations will sustain employment for local workers, contractors, and suppliers, ensuring economic stability in the region. Additionally, the extension will contribute further taxation and royalties, directly supporting essential services such as hospitals, schools, and infrastructure across NSW.

The extension also enables ongoing investment in community organisations through The Bloomfield Group Foundation, reflecting the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting local initiatives. Importantly, the proposed modification improves the post-mining landform by reducing the final void and enhancing the land’s suitability for future agricultural use, such as cattle grazing.

Moreover, the project provides a valuable opportunity to address legacy issues from historic underground mining. By safely extracting remaining shallow resources, the proposal reduces risks of surface subsidence and enhances long-term landform stability.

This extension represents a responsible and beneficial approach to resource development, balancing economic growth with environmental and community outcomes.

To Whom It May Concern,

In Pit Solutions is proud to submit our support and continued interest in being part of the Bloomfield Group for its Environmental Impact Statement at Bloomfield Colliery.

Our company has had the privilege of working closely with the Bloomfield Group across all of their sites, including the location of this ongoing initiative. Over time, we have developed a strong working relationship built on shared values of safety, operational excellence, and mutual respect. We’ve seen firsthand the dedication Bloomfield brings not only to the success of their operations, but also to the wellbeing of their employees and contractors.

As a locally based service provider, we commend Bloomfield Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, responsible resource development, and community engagement. Their family-owned values resonate deeply with our own approach to business. We have always felt that our team has been treated with fairness and professionalism across all levels of engagement.

We believe that the continuation of this project will not only provide long-term economic benefits to the region but also ensure a stable and progressive future for all stakeholders involved.
In Pit Solutions is committed to supporting this project with the same level of quality and dedication we’ve demonstrated throughout our existing collaborations.

We look forward to being part of the next phase of development and working together to ensure its continued success.

Yours sincerely,
Brayden Dark
Director
In Pit Solutions
[email protected]
0421734921
22/4/2025