Modification 6 - underground mining extension

I support Ulan's modification application. As someone who is directly employed by the business this will provide job security for myself and allow us to stay within the Mudgee community. I believe that the impacts of the project to be minimal and able to be managed effectively resulting in negligible environmental consequences.

Continued jobs for the area and investment into local economies

I am writing to express my strong support for the MOD 6 mining approval, which proposes the extraction of an additional 16 million tonnes of coal and the extension of the mine's operational life through to 2035. This initiative presents significant benefits not only for our operations but also for the local townships and the workforce that sustains them.

Economic Growth and Stability
The approval of MOD 6 will play a crucial role in stimulating economic growth within our local communities. The extension of mining operations will lead to increased investment in infrastructure and services, benefiting both residents and businesses. It is projected that this expansion will result in a substantial boost to local economies, providing a reliable source of revenue that can be reinvested into community development projects, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Employment Opportunities
One of the most compelling advantages of the MOD 6 approval is the potential for continued employment for our existing staff and the creation of new job opportunities. By extending the mine's life and increasing production, we can ensure job security for our current employees, while also attracting new talent to support our growing operations. This commitment to employment will not only foster a sense of stability for families but also enhance the overall quality of life in our townships.

Community Engagement and Development
The mining industry has always been a cornerstone of our local communities. By securing the MOD 6 approval, we reaffirm our dedication to engaging with community stakeholders and ensuring that the benefits of mining are shared widely. We are committed to investing in local initiatives and fostering partnerships that will lead to sustainable development and improved living conditions for all residents.

Environmental Responsibility
While the MOD 6 project focuses on coal extraction, we are also committed to responsible mining practices that minimize environmental impact. Our approach to sustainability ensures that we prioritize the health of our ecosystems while meeting the energy needs of our communities. Through innovative technologies and practices, we aim to operate in a manner that respects both our environment and the communities we serve.
In conclusion, the MOD 6 mining approval represents a significant opportunity for growth, stability, and community prosperity. I wholeheartedly support this initiative and urge all stakeholders to consider the positive implications it holds for our local townships and workforce.

Please see attached submission.

Modification 6 will provide continued employment and income security for workers like myself and many others in the region. The project supports not only direct employees, but also local contractors, suppliers, and service providers who rely on the ongoing operation of the mine. This stability is critical for regional communities where alternative employment opportunities are limited.

Creates amble job vacancies and also provides growths in regional townships.

The amended proposal does not consider the broader environmental consequences of extending mining in the Mudgee region. Subsidence and clearing will cause permanent damage to the countryside and threaten the livelihoods of neighbours. It will have impacts on water supply, biodiversity, aboriginal heritage, not to mention the vastly increased greenhouse gas emissions.

We already have existing mine approvals across the 3 Mudgee coal mines which are the biggest in NSW.
It doesn’t make sense for this proposal, which is within the Central West Orana Renewal Energy Zone to be competing for regional jobs. As a Mudgee resident I am acutely aware that the Central West is experiencing a major labour shortage, shortages in housing and infrastructure and medical services. Further expansion of the Ulan Coal Mine will directly compete with the region’s transition to a safe climate and future jobs.

I grew up and am still a resident of Mudgee and I strongly support the extension of the mine, and therefore extending mine life to 2035. Ulan Coal has been providing local jobs, supporting local business and the community for over 100 years, approval of the modification will continue to provide economic benefits to the region.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my views on this expansion of coal mining. I am objecting to Ulan Mod 6 amendment on two grounds. The first is that the extension of this and other coal mining projects add to global warming and climate change and is proposed at a time when the viability of coal based power is being seriously questioned at both a Government level and by the investment community. The occurrences and severity of extreme weather events in Australia is scientifically linked to global temperature increases associated with the burning of fossil fuels. At a time when renewable energy sources have become significantly cheaper than coal, as well as being more beneficial and safer for the planet and its climate, further extensions of coal mining are unnecessary and should not be approved.
The second part of my objection relates to the existence of Koala populations in the vicinity of the proposed extension. While the modification is for underground mining, any related surface loss of critical Koala habitat due to infrastructure, facilities and traffic must be avoided. Koalas, regarded as an icon and important umbrella species are listed as endangered and every incremental loss of habitat impacts on their prospects for survival. Breeding Koalas carrying young have been recorded in the Ulan and Munghorn areas and current and historic mining activities in these areas have resulted in the fragmentation of Koala habitat, impacting upon the connectivity of remaining areas of critical habitat.

This coal mine extension must not be approved because:
• It will add additional greenhouse gas emissions which will, when added to emissions from Ulan Mod 8, greatly affect Australia’s ability to achieve net zero in time to avoid the extremes of climate change.
• Impact unacceptably on threatened species habitat, aboriginal cultural heritage sites and neighbours.
• Impact unacceptably on groundwater and creeks, thereby further degrading the Murray Darling System.
• Compete for government investment and workers with renewable energy projects.
• Further add to the misery of a huge proportion of local inhabitants, many of whom experience depression from having to live with this revolting coal mine in their midst and think about a government which is constantly taking our society backwards, all for the sake of a few votes. Yancoal pays very little tax in Australia, yet is subsidized by taxpayers to the tune of billions of dollars each year. Wake up!!!

Ulan Mod 6 amendment 2 will cause cumulative impact on a range of environmental values that has not been adequately assessed.
More detail in attached submission

I am writing to express my support for the approval of Ulan Coal's MOD 6 application.
The Ulan Coal MOD 6 is intended to optimize the approved underground mine plan and enhance the efficient recovery of coal resources while remaining within the overarching scope and intent of the current approval framework. The MOD 6 has been developed with due consideration of environmental, safety, and regulatory obligations. Preliminary assessment indicates that the proposed changes do not introduce materially new or increased impacts compared to those previously assessed under the current approval. Where potential changes in risk or impact have been identified, appropriate mitigation and management measures have been incorporated into the MOD 6 documentation.
Approval of MOD 6 would provide regulatory certainty, support safe and efficient underground mining operations, and enable continued compliance with planning, environmental, and work health and safety requirements.
Ulan Coal continues to be a significant contributor to the regional and state economy, with an estimated contribution of approximately $846 million in 2024. Approval of MOD 6 would support the ongoing viability of the operation and help sustain its economic contribution, employment, and regional benefits while maintaining regulatory and environmental integrity.
I consider Ulan Coal's MOD 6 as a reasonable and justified amendment to the existing underground coal project approval, supporting the continued operation of Ulan Underground in a manner that balances resource recovery, safety, environmental responsibility, and economic value.

Ulan has provided a great life style for myself my Children and now my Grandchildren
Ulan’s has provided many friends many local business opportunity s and support.
Ulan has benefited our community and education programs

Will be great for the region and local jobs in the Mudgee area

I object to the Ulan Coal Mine (UCML) Amended Modification 6 proposed development. This proposal would extend the life of the Mine to 2035 as well as facilitate the proposed Modification 8 - further extending mining to 2041. The two proposed expansions cover 2,368 hectares and will destroy or degrade irreplaceable surface and groundwater resources, extending and intensifying ongoing approved environmental damage to the surface water catchment and groundwater system flowing to the Talbragar River (Murray Darling Basin) and Goulburn River (Hunter catchment).
Both these ‘modification’ proposals should be rejected or at least assessed as a new project. Mod 6 partially and Mod 8 wholly are on land covered by an Exploration Licence, not the original mining lease seeking to be modified. Substantially they are not the same as approved mine and mining lease. Mod 6 is physically linked to Mod 8; they are a new mine and should be assessed jointly with independent expert scrutiny and a full merit assessment that includes the cumulative impact of Mod 8. This may allow decision makers a more accurate basis to evaluate cost/benefit while promoting situational awareness of the actual impacts on water, climate and the local community.
Continued in attached document

I object to the proposed expansion of Ulan Coal Mine through Mod 6 amendment 2. This is the first stage of a much larger mine expansion through Ulan Mod 8 that I objected to last year. Mod 6 approval was overturned in the Land and Environment Court and the Amendment 2 proposal does not rectifiy the problems raised in the court case.
This local area, NSW and the world cannot afford to have increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction and burning of coal. All reports analysing climate change impacts on global health, society, economy and environment recommend no more expansion of the fossil fuel industry.
Ulan Mod 6 amendment 2 cannot be justified and is an irresponsible application from Glencore, a large coal exporting company that has current approval at Ulan Coal Mine to continue mining 20 mtpa of coal until 2033. This is time enough to plan for a transition away from coal into renewable energy and other less threatening and more diverse industries that will provide ample job opportunities in the region. Continued profit making from climate destroying coal is reprehensible and should be rejected.

I fully support the Modification 6 - underground mining extension for Ulan Coal Mines - Glencore. This extension is underground and the mining industry have many environmental "boxes" that they need to tick to enable the extension to proceed. This extension will extend the life of mine to enable the continuation of many jobs for the town of Mudgee and surrounding districts. The mining industry is the lifeblood of this district and without the extension it will see the collapse of many businesses. Please enable the extension to be approved.

I think this project will be great for the region and it will provide jobs in the community

There should be no more coal mine expansions in the Mudgee Region. The cumulative impacts on the community, bush, wildlife, rivers, significant First nations heritage, and climate are too great. The Mod 6 amendment 2 assessment does not consider the cumulative impact with the proposed Mod 8 expansion that relies on the Mod 6 expansion to go ahead - neither should be approved. There is also no consideration of cumulative impacts with other proposed expansions in the region including at the Moolarben and Wilpinjong Coal Mines. All processes assessing climate change impacts recommend no more expansion of fossil fuels. A proposal to extend mining at Ulan by 2 more years to 2035 to facilitate a further expansion over a very large area until 2041 is not on and should be rejected outright. People at Ulan Mine have a job until 2033 and should start to look at retraining for new work opportunities into the future. Mining won't survive increasing extreme weather events along with the rest of us.

Great for the town