Warkworth Coal Mine Continuation

The Warkworth extension has economic benefits outside of the Hunter Valley. My family and I are based in Brisbane , and we depend on MTW being in operation into the future.

This submission of support is important to assist Rio Tinto MTW with continuation to produce beyond 2015 at current rates due to the following benefits the application will provide:
*Continuation of directly effected Mining role employment ~1300 people.
*Continuation of indirectly effected Mining Service Support roles within local, statewide & national communities.
*Resource royalty etc. value for State & National Government to continue with nation building.
*Rio Tinto to be allowed to realise the resource potential.

I write to support this project going ahead.

Muswellbrook and Singleton have in the time I have been here benefited significantly from the jobs that the mining industry creates. Other benefits have been new developments, facilities and infrastructure.

It would be very unfortunate for the development of the area it the proposal was rejected.

I support the expansion at MTW. I will directly affect all other operations, large and small in the Hunter Valley. It will also have a dramaitic on on the local community of Singleton were I live.

I think the mine is carrying out it work tasks with great care of the enviroment and surounding areas also supports local people and buissness i would like to support the extension Thanks

i support the warkworth mine extension .

I work at MTW and would like to see this approval process go though. My wife and i both earn incomes from this area and want it to continue to prosper.

I would like to make a submission in support of the MTW extension. I believe the extension should go ahead in order to provide on-going employment opportunities for locals and also to support the local economy.

My Husband works for Mt Thorley Warkworth as i did for many years, My daughter works for Strike force and is employed as a cleaner for the mines in the Hunter Valley.
My Family moved to Singleton in 2006, and we have become by choice members of this community, i shop locally supporting businesses in my town. The downturn in mining has already seen one of our daughters and our grandchildren move away to Western Australia. With a daughter still working and relying on the industry My Husband, myself, my family needs this extension to go ahead. Its ridiculous to hear the objectors say oh just go to Maitland for a new job or buy some horses, maybe grow some grapes. The work doesnt exist. Look around the town not one street is without a for sale sign, Singleton cannot take another blow to its people and the community.

Continuation of the Warkworth extension is vital to the continuined economic growth of the Hunter Valley as well as being cruical to the employment of the 1300 workers currently employed at Warkworth.

Having been involved in mining for 30years and with Rio Tinto for 29 years I have a good understanding of the company and its position on the environment. I believe there is a balance required and the submission to expand the MTW makes both economical and environmental sense. I have a unique perspective with my daughter having a degree in environmental science and having just completed a master in environmental law we have many discussion on the topic and in this case I believe the economic impact is far too great not to approve the expansion. This does not have any direct impact on my personal position but I felt it necessary to add my view to the discussion.

Regards,

Darrell Joyce

I work at Mount Thorley Warkworth and my family and I rely on the mine for our livlihood. My husband and i have a young daughter and another child due in September. We live locally in Singleton and contibute to the locally community both financially and through volunteering our time.

If the Warkworth Continutation was to not be approved, my family and I would be forced to leave the local area in order to find employment elsewhere. This would have a significant impact on us and certainly on the local community and businesses as i'm sure there would be a large number of other employees who would be forced to do the same.

I am writing a submission in favour of Mount Thorley Warkworth.

I do not work for MTW and I believe that Mount Thorley Warkworth's extension is very critical to secure the future of Singleton and surrounding towns in the Hunter Valley. Not only through employment, but secuirty for small businesses in the community and for the future of our children.

This extension is vital to ensuring continual coal supply from the Hunter Valley and is a key asset for Rio Tinto Coal Australia.

Having grown up in the Hunter Valley and returning regularly, I see the impact mining has had within the area. There are precious few industries left in the Hunter to provide employment. To throw away these jobs based on weak premise makes no sense.

I have made a career within the mining industry, and I am acutely aware of the lengths the major miners go to, to conform with the regulations. The 'Licence to Operate' includes engagement and good relations with the community and mine's neighbours. I believe the modern mining industry is made of strong corporate and local citizens. Well conceived and managed mining operations should be encouraged.

To Whom it may concern,

I whole heartedly support the Warkworth continuation. As an active community member, Rotarian, Small business ownen and employee of Bengalla Mine i see first hand the positive contribution the mining industry and MTW has on the local area. The continuation will support growth not only in direct support services but in all local business spread throughout the Hunter Valley.

Yours Sincerely,

Anthony Raines

The economic impact of any mine closing is felt deeply in the local community and can cause communities to degenerate or disappear as workers leave the area and with that local commercial ventures starve from lack of custom.

While there will always be environmental impact and some nuisance from mining operations, having seen Rio Tinto Operations up close there has always been a commitment to positive corporate responsibility demonstrated by those I have had involvement with.

Overall I cannot see where justification for effectively closing a mine can be found at MTW based on a loud minority. I am convinced that in the event that Rio Tinto close the doors at MTW due to the lack of approval for the continued development of the mine, the local community will have far bigger issues to deal with than those being identified by those dissentors to the development.

I have family and friends in the Hunter Valley, many of them have been there for 15+years. Most of them work directly for coal mining companies, some for supporting industries. The impact to the Singleton area of MTW not gaining approvals will be wide reaching and effect all those in the Hunter Valley. This will likely result in many thousands of people leaving the area in search of new opportunities.

working in the mines for the past 30 years at MTW and being in singleton for 25 of them i have watched the development in employment and business not only in the singleton area but also in the sourounding towns.
No one can deny the area is a mining area and all that come to the area come for one reason work. without mining and investment in the local areas there will be no jobs no need for investment no need to come to the area.
work together with mining and the environment for the better of everyone

The continuation of mining in the Hunter region is vital not only for the local communities but also for local, state and national economies. Around 1300 employees and their families depend on Mount Thorley Warkworth (MTW) for their livelihood. MTW has been been an integral part of the Singleton community for more than 30 years and has made a massive contribution to the region in that time. Mining can co-exist with other industries (agriculture, viticulture, tourism) without adversely impacting these industries. The health and prosperity of the region depends on the continuation of mining at MTW.