Modification 6 - underground mining extension

Many opportunities and jobs will be created.

Ulan Underground has been a foundational element of the Mid-Western Regional council providing massive economic input to the region through direct jobs and supporting local businesses.
In Australia, coal mining is one of few key industries where a nuclear family can survive off a sole income. Saying no to mining and Ulan is literally saying no to the working-middle class. Without mining at Ulan, Mudgee and Gulgong will lose a benefit to the region which people do not comprehend.

100% this is an important project which needs to go ahead.

Doctors 4 Mudgee Region (D4MR) is a community-led, not-for-profit initiative established to address the critical shortage of General Practitioners and medical services across the Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone regions. Our purpose is to attract, support and retain doctors in our rural communities, ensuring long-term access to essential healthcare for residents.
We write in strong support of the proposed expansion of the Ulan Coal Complex, recognising the significant and measurable contribution Ulan has made to the regional economy, workforce stability, and critically, the sustainability of healthcare services in our region.
In 2024 alone, the Ulan Coal Complex directly contributed $846 million to the economy, including:
• 730 direct jobs, providing secure employment for local families
• $115 million in wages, supporting household stability and regional spending
• Engagement with 920 suppliers, many of them regional and NSW-based
• $469 million in annual expenditure on goods and services, reinforcing the broader supply chain and regional resilience
Beyond these substantial economic contributions, Ulan has played a pivotal role in supporting community health outcomes through its partnership with Doctors 4 Mudgee Region. Their support has had a direct and lasting impact on our ability to attract doctors to the region.
Like many regional communities, the Mudgee area faces ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining doctors. Without targeted support, these shortages place unsustainable pressure on hospitals, emergency departments, and existing GP practices. Ulan’s backing of D4MR has been instrumental in helping address this issue, translating economic strength into tangible health outcomes for the community.
Importantly, workforce stability created by Ulan’s operations also underpins healthcare viability. Doctors and allied health professionals are far more likely to relocate to and remain in regions that offer strong employment prospects for partners, quality local services, and long-term economic certainty. In this way, Ulan’s continued operation and expansion directly support not only industry employment, but the broader social infrastructure required for thriving regional communities.
The proposed expansion of the Ulan Coal Complex represents more than an economic project, it is an investment in the long-term health, wellbeing, and sustainability of the region. Continued operation will enable ongoing support for initiatives like Doctors 4 Mudgee Region, which are essential to maintaining equitable access to healthcare in rural NSW.
For these reasons, Doctors 4 Mudgee Region strongly supports the Ulan Coal Complex expansion and recognises the mine as a critical partner in delivering positive, enduring outcomes for our regional community.

I support the project due to the number of jobs that will be provided in the region and the economic contribution to NSW that is made by the mining industry.

Coal mining has provided enormous support to the local environment, community, towns, sporting groups and many more. It has been the backbone of investment and source of industry for the local and surrounding regions for the past 30 plus years.
The Ulan West project has proven to be consistent with operating within its conditions throughout its life thus far and continues to produce skills to young and old with new to industry programs along with apprenticeships each year of operation.

This expansion will provide many job opportunities for locals

To whom it may concern,

I am writing today to express my support for the Ulan Coal Continued Operations Project Modification. As a Contractor for the Mudgee area, I support the extension of the mine and therefore extending mine life to 2035. Ulan Coal has been providing local jobs and supporting the community for over 100 years, approval of the modification will continue to provide economic benefits to the region.

This will be great for the community of Mudgee. Deserves to go ahead

Great for future employment.

In support.

I support Ulan Coal Mod 6 for the second time and believe the re-exhibition of the modification to be a significant waste of time and money to the public and the Consent Authority and pays lip service to environmental activist.
The modification does not introduce fundamentally new impacts and remains consistent with the objectives of the original project approval.
The proposal demonstrates a strong commitment to:
Continued compliance with environmental approvals
Responsible resource management
Adaptive operational planning to respond to changing conditions
Economic and Employment Benefits
Ulan Coal Mine is a major contributor to the local and regional economy. The approval of Modification 6 will:
Support ongoing employment for mine workers and contractors
Provide continued economic certainty for local businesses and suppliers
Maintain royalty and taxation contributions to the NSW and Australian governments
The mine together with the other two coal mines in the region, also plays a critical role in sustaining economic activity in the Mid-Western Region.
The environmental assessment documentation for Modification 6 demonstrates that potential impacts have been carefully evaluated and are capable of being managed through existing and proposed mitigation measures. These include:
Continued monitoring and management of noise, dust, and water
Ongoing rehabilitation and land management practices
Compliance with relevant environmental protection conditions
Importantly, the modification does not result in unacceptable additional environmental impacts beyond those already approved.
Ulan Coal has a long-standing presence in the local community and has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to consultation and engagement with stakeholders. The continuation of operations under Modification 6 will help provide stability and certainty for workers, families, and the broader community.
The proposal balances economic benefits with environmental responsibility and community interests, aligning with the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
For the reasons outlined above, I support Ulan Coal Mine – Modification 6 and consider it to be an appropriate and beneficial proposal. I respectfully request that the consent authority approve the modification, subject to appropriate conditions, to enable the continued operation and contribution of Ulan Coal to the region and the state.

<Please note that there is a problem with this portal, and I am unable to upload the PDF file I created, with the letterhead of our organisation. Instead I am simply cutting and pasting our letter below.>

17 January 2026

Submission to the NSW Government Planning Portal objecting to the proposed Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6

Running Stream Water Users Association objects to Glencore’s proposed Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6.
We understand that Glencore’s Ulan Coal Mine has current approval to mine 20 million tonnes of coal per annum through underground mining until 2033. An approved underground mine expansion through Modification 6 (Mod 6) was overturned by the NSW Land and Environment Court in November 2025. The amended project, resubmitted to the Department of Planning would extend the life of Ulan Coal Mine to August 2035 and facilitates a much larger expansion (called Modification 8: Mod 8). Together these expansions would disturb 2368 ha (5851 acres) of new country.

Below we list our specific objections to this proposed mine expansion.

1. Amended proposal
The expansion must be assessed together with the Ulan Mod 8 proposal as a new project to make sense of the cumulative impacts on climate, water, endangered species and Indigenous cultural heritage.
This amended Mod 6 proposal finalises the mine plan and identifies exactly where the surface infrastructure will affect native vegetation. The previous approval, overturned in the Land and Environment Court, had nine different options for surface infrastructure – demonstrating that a mine plan had not been completed.
Subsidence from underground mining, as well as clearing for infrastructure such as roads, pipelines and ventilator shafts, will have very significant impacts on the landscape. The amended proposal fails to fully assess these impacts.
There is no assessment of the cumulative impacts from existing mine approvals or expansion proposals across the three Mudgee mines: Ulan, Moolarben and Wilpinjong. Furthermore, modifications remove independent scrutiny of the quality of impact assessment and remove community merit appeal rights in the Land and Environment Court.

2. Water impacts
The proposal will place further pressure on already stressed surface and ground water sources within the Murray Darling Basin.
Subsidence caused by underground mining damages groundwater systems that store water in the landscape and provide base flows to rivers and creeks. This mine expansion, when combined with Mod 8, will cause a significant additional loss of flow to the Talbragar River. The Talbragar River is a major tributary of the Macquarie River, and these flows are directly connected to the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes.

3. Greenhouse gas assessment
Any further expansion of coal will slow the transition to renewables that is part of ensuring a safe climate. This proposal will produce an additional 18.8 million tonnes of coal, and when combined with Mod 8 (additional 43 MT) there will be a more than 45% increase in total emissions above current approved operations at Ulan mine.
The amended report still fails to fully identify the impacts of the increased greenhouse gas emissions on the local environment, community and economy, as required under NSW planning law.
The proposal does not meet the requirement of the NSW EP&A Act 1979 to assess the environmental and social impacts of all greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 3, as ruled by the High Court under the Mt Pleasant Mine (Denman) decision.

4. Environmental impacts
The proposal will have a devastating impact on threatened species habitat, particularly Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Powerful Owl, Barking Owl and Southern Myotis Bat. The Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat face ongoing cumulative loss of habitat across the three Mudgee coal mine operations, including in the proposed Moolarben Open Cut 3 extension. These cumulative impacts have not been assessed for Serious and Irreversible Impact (SAII) on these threatened microbats.
The cumulative loss of Box Gum Woodland critically endangered ecological community across the region as an SAII entity is not assessed.

5. Indigenous cultural heritage impacts
The cumulative loss of significant Indigenous cultural heritage in the Ulan area is not assessed. There is strong evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region, and spiritual connection to Country. A significant number of cultural heritage values will be impacted, particularly when combined with Ulan Mod 8 impacts.

6. Mine extension is not justified
There is no need for extended coal mining in the region to provide local jobs. Mining is competing for skilled labour which is urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable energy industries. There is currently a major labour shortage in the Central West, with local workers needed for construction associated with the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

We trust that the issues noted above will be carefully considered, and that Glencore’s modification request will be denied.

Yours sincerely,

Fiona Sim, President
(on behalf of Running Stream Water Users Association)

17 January 2026

Submission to the NSW Government Planning Portal objecting to the proposed Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6

I am writing to object to Glencore’s proposed Ulan Coal Mine Amended Modification 6 on Wiradjuri Country near Mudgee. I am deeply concerned about the climate impacts of the expansion of coal mining in New South Wales and I believe that this project would cause serious and irreversible harm to the environment, climate and community.
The NSW Government cannot afford to approve new or expanded coal projects during a climate and biodiversity crisis. This proposal is inconsistent with the NSW Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

My specific objections to this proposed mine expansion are listed below.

1. Amended proposal
The expansion must be assessed together with the Ulan Mod 8 proposal as a new project to make sense of the cumulative impacts on climate, water, endangered species and Indigenous cultural heritage.
This amended Mod 6 proposal finalises the mine plan and identifies exactly where the surface infrastructure will affect native vegetation. The previous approval, overturned in the Land and Environment Court, had nine different options for surface infrastructure – demonstrating that a mine plan had not been completed.
Subsidence from underground mining, as well as clearing for infrastructure such as roads, pipelines and ventilator shafts, will have very significant impacts on the landscape. The amended proposal fails to fully assess these impacts.
There is no assessment of the cumulative impacts from existing mine approvals or expansion proposals across the three Mudgee mines: Ulan, Moolarben and Wilpinjong. Furthermore, modifications remove independent scrutiny of the quality of impact assessment and remove community merit appeal rights in the Land and Environment Court.

2. Water impacts
The proposal will place further pressure on already stressed surface and ground water sources within the Murray Darling Basin. Subsidence caused by underground mining damages groundwater systems that store water in the landscape and provide base flows to rivers and creeks. This mine expansion, when combined with Mod 8, will cause a significant additional loss of flow to the Talbragar River. The Talbragar River is a major tributary of the Macquarie River, and these flows are directly connected to the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes.

3. Environmental impacts
The proposal will have a devastating impact on threatened species habitat, particularly Large-eared Pied Bat, Eastern Cave Bat, Powerful Owl, Barking Owl and Southern Myotis Bat. The Large-eared Pied Bat and Eastern Cave Bat face ongoing cumulative loss of habitat across the three Mudgee coal mine operations, including in the proposed Moolarben Open Cut 3 extension. These cumulative impacts have not been assessed for Serious and Irreversible Impact (SAII) on these threatened microbats.
The cumulative loss of Box Gum Woodland critically endangered ecological community across the region as an SAII entity is not assessed.

4. Greenhouse gas assessment
Any further expansion of coal will slow the transition to renewables that is part of ensuring a safe climate. This proposal will produce an additional 18.8 million tonnes of coal, and when combined with Mod 8 (additional 43 MT) there will be a more than 45% increase in total emissions above current approved operations at Ulan mine.
The amended report still fails to fully identify the impacts of the increased greenhouse gas emissions on the local environment, community and economy, as required under NSW planning law.
The proposal does not meet the requirement of the NSW EP&A Act 1979 to assess the environmental and social impacts of all greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 3, as ruled by the High Court under the Mt Pleasant Mine (Denman) decision.

5. Indigenous cultural heritage impacts
The cumulative loss of significant Indigenous cultural heritage in the Ulan area is not assessed. There is strong evidence of continuous Wiradjuri occupation of the region, and spiritual connection to Country. A significant number of cultural heritage values will be impacted, particularly when combined with Ulan Mod 8 impacts.

6. Mine extension is not justified
There is no need for extended coal mining in the region to provide local jobs. Mining is competing for skilled labour which is urgently required in the construction, housing and renewable energy industries. There is currently a major labour shortage in the Central West, with local workers needed for construction associated with the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

I trust that the issues noted above will be carefully considered, and that Glencore’s modification request will be denied.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Sincerely,
Fiona Sim
Running Stream, NSW

I support the mod 6 extension at ulan coal mine. This will allow continued operations to support the over 600 workers and local businesses. The continued operations will support the local communities.

Extended economic benefits for the local community

My name is Alan Pursch, I am a 72 year old retired TAFE teacher, and have also worked for many years in early chiodhood education, also in agriculture.
I wish to strongly object to the Modification 6 - underground mining extension proposal for these reasons:
1. In a climate and extinction crisis, further extension is completely indefensible. It is incompatible with the 2023 NSW climate change legislation, and also with our commitments to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
2. Local ecosystems, including watercourses and The Drip, extremely valuable for tourism and ecological reasons, could be irreversibly downgraded by this project.
I strongly urge you to reject this proposal
Kind regards
Alan Pursch
2 Red Head Road, Red Head, NSW 2430
[email protected]
0413 482 505

I write in support of the Modification 6 (Mod 6) mining application for the proposed extension of mining operations at the Ulan West Mine.

Economic Contribution
The Ulan West Mine is a significant contributor to the local and regional economy. Approval of the Mod 6 application will enable the continuation of mining operations, providing ongoing economic stability for the region. The mine supports local businesses through the procurement of goods and services, including transport, maintenance, accommodation, and professional services. This flow-on spending strengthens the economic resilience of surrounding communities.

Extending the life of the mine will also provide certainty for existing suppliers and encourage further local investment, ensuring that economic benefits are retained within the region for years to come.

Employment and Job Security
The Mod 6 proposal is critical to maintaining existing jobs at Ulan West and across associated industries. The mine provides well-paid, skilled employment opportunities for local workers and their families. Continued operation will help retain a skilled workforce in the region and reduce the need for workers to relocate or seek employment elsewhere.

In addition to direct employment, the mine supports numerous indirect jobs in contracting, services, and small businesses that rely on the mine’s ongoing operation. The extension will therefore have a positive multiplier effect on employment across the local community.

Community Stability
Long-term employment and economic certainty contribute to stronger, more stable communities. Continued mining at Ulan West supports population retention, school enrolments, and the viability of local services and infrastructure. These social benefits are particularly important for regional and rural areas.

Conclusion
For the reasons outlined above, I support the approval of the Mod 6 mining application for the Ulan West Mine Extension. The proposal will deliver ongoing economic benefits, protect existing jobs, and support the long-term sustainability of the local and regional community.

I strongly object to the proposed mine extension on the grounds that the environmental, social and economic impacts have not been adequately assessed. The mod 6 proposal must be assessed alongside the mod 8 proposal for the cumulative impacts to be properly and scientifically judged. The air and water pollution caused by any extension to the Ulan mine are completely unacceptable and proposed clearing of native vegetation also presents a real risk to already threatened mammal species and box woodland.

The Ulan Coal complex provides substantial economic benefits to the Mudgee region, including significant direct employment, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the wider community. I am in support of the Mod 6 extension, which will allow these benefits to continue. Given the location and being an underground mine, the environmental impact is relatively small.

My husband works for Ulan Coal Mines and we’ve been living in Mudgee for the last 15 years and rely on the mine for employment to support our family. Glencore and Ulan have a great reputation and give back to the local community. The mod6 proposal utilises existing infrastructure. This proposal is a no brainer. I strongly support. Without coal mines, the Mudgee region would be a shadow of its current self.