I am employed in the mining industry in the Hunter Valley, as are many of my family members and friends. Mining is not simply a job for us; it is a long-standing and respected industry that underpins our communities and provides stable, well-paid employment. I strongly support the continuation of the Mount Pleasant Operation, particularly as a number of established projects in the region are nearing the end of their operational life. Extending this operation would provide essential employment continuity for skilled workers who wish to remain in their chosen profession without being forced to relocate or leave the industry altogether.

The project sustains hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and plays a vital role in maintaining regional economic stability. Thiess alone employs more than 700 people onsite, the majority of whom are local residents contributing to the social and economic fabric of the Hunter Valley. This figure does not include employees of Mach Energy, Sedgman, and numerous other contractors and service providers whose livelihoods depend on the continuation of operations. The broader supply chain — including local trades, transport operators, equipment suppliers, and small businesses — would also continue to benefit from the stability and investment generated by the project.

Without this project proceeding, families, small businesses, and the wider regional economy would face significant and immediate challenges. As other mines wind down, the ramp-up of Mount Pleasant Operation presents a practical and timely opportunity to absorb experienced workers and retain critical skills within the region. Its continuation would help safeguard local employment, sustain household incomes, and ensure ongoing economic resilience across the Hunter Valley community.

Mount Pleasant will deliver over 1000 jobs

A lot of local jobs are dependent on the mine life.
The mine makes significant donations to the local community and sporting teams,

I am writing to express my strong support for Mod 8 - Extension of Mine Life for Mount Pleasant Operation.
Both my partner and I work at Mount Pleasant. Like many people in the Upper Hunter, our livelihoods depend on the continuation of this operation. We are young and building our life in this region, starting a family and planning for our future. Having stable, long-term employment is incredibly important to us, and the certainty provided by the proposed extension would mean a great deal for our future.
Mount Pleasant is not just a workplace for many of us. It is the foundation of our community. The mine provides jobs for local people and supports many contractors, suppliers and small businesses across the region. The wages earned by workers flow directly back into the local economy through spending at local shops, businesses and services.
The operation also plays an important role in supporting the community through sponsorships and local initiatives that benefit schools, sporting clubs and community organisations. These contributions make a real difference in regional communities like ours.
Over the past few years there has been a lot of uncertainty around the future of Mount Pleasant. For workers and families in the region, this uncertainty can be very stressful. Approving Mod 8 would provide much needed stability and allow people to plan for the next few years with confidence.
For my partner and I, the future of Mount Pleasant directly affects our ability to continue living and building a life in the Upper Hunter. We love being part of this community and want to keep contributing to it.
For these reasons, I strongly support Mod 8 and the continuation of operations at Mount Pleasant.
Thank you for considering my submission.

I have no problems supporting this project
Communities and clubs in and around Muswellbrook depend on Mines like Mt Pleasant to run day to day
Our club has received donations from this mine the last one payed for a fire break totally around our club that cost ten thousand dollars to complete
We have received donations for ride on lawn mowers, new targets, sea containers for storage, our flash indoor range was built by its members with the help of donations to pay for materials plus many more
Being a long-time resident of Muswellbrook, I have seen donations going to all the schools clubs and local charities so what I'm saying our community will miss out if Mt Pleasant does not get their extension as we all need ongoing support to keep operating into the future
Craig Bates
Muswellbrook Pistol Club
Club Captain

Local employment @70%. Mount pleasant plays a significant role in financial contributions to the state and local Government. Numerous contractors, suppliers and local businesses depend on operations like MPO. Contributions to local indigenous communities via direct employment, Over $2m investment in local schools, sporting clubs and community groups. Over $650 million in royalty contributions since the project started from Mach Energy.

I believe this is a great project for the people of the Hunter Valley

I am all for the extension of the lease, going forward Muswellbrook and the local businesses and families are going to be depending on the mine for their sustainability.

If we are to limit global warming so that future generations are not faced with food and water insecurity as a result of increased fires, droughts and floods, there must be no new coal or gas projects approved nor the expansion of existing mines. Currently, our actions are failing the next and future generation of Australians.
This huge mine expansion will create 1.5 million tonnes of local greenhouse gas pollution in the next ten years in NSW and over a 100 million tonnes in downstream emissions at a time when our state is not on track to meet its legislated 2030 or 2035 emissions reductions targets. The people of NSW are already suffering the impacts of climate change, including in the Hunter region and adding further greenhouse pollution will do unacceptable harm to the public interest.
● The NSW Court of Appeal’s Denman Decision made it clear that the local impacts of climate change caused by the downstream greenhouse pollution from NSW coal have to be considered by planning authorities. As this decision is now in the High Court, acceptance of this application will cause legal and practical confusion with environmental and social consequences for the area.

● The expansion of this mine is in direct contradiction to the Government's own advice from the NSW Net Zero Commission in December of last year that “[c]ontinued extensions or expansions to coal mining in NSW are not consistent” with NSW climate law nor with the Paris Agreement temperature goals.

Mt Pleasant helps delivers jobs with 70% local jobs, whilst making significant contributions to the local economy and community including plus $2M in schools, sporting clubs and community groups.
5% indigenous employment from the local area and over $650M royalties paid since the project started.
Contractors, suppliers and local businesses rely on Mt Pleasant.