This operation provides soo much to the community

I support the approval of this project, the mine is existing and with the approval of this expansion the operations will continue to provide economic and community support whilst meeting world market demand for current demand of coal .I have had both personal and business relationship with this site which has provided employment and growth of my small business.

Sir / Madam,
The continuation of Hunter Valley Operations mine is important to my family which includes three
children, two who are at school and the youngest is 1 months of age.
My salaried employment from Hunter Valley Operations facilitates me to provide a good standard of
living and education for my children which I hope to be able to maintain following graduation from
The University of Newcastle in 2009.
While there is an ongoing focus on environmental impacts there does need to be the right balance
struck between economic, social and environmental impacts, which I believe the submission from
Hunter Valley Operations JV clearly articulates. Hunter Valley Operations contributes tens of millions
each year through royalty payments to the State Government; provides a significant regional
contribution through jobs and expenditures on good & supplies; and make direct community
contributions to many local bodies including local children sports clubs.
Recently, Hunter Valley Operations provided children’s toys and Christmas hampers to Singleton,
Muswellbrook and Dubbo community outreach programs. Hunter Valley Operations continuing local
charity and community support through our Workplace Giving, sponsorship and community grants
program is a credit to our operation.
The energy needs of developing Asia are enormous, the improvement of which comes from cost
competitive and reliable base load electricity. Secondly, infrastructure development, requiring steel
and cement is contingent upon the supply of raw materials, thermal and semi soft coal being a
primary input. As a Mechanical Engineer, I am fortunate to have a technical understanding of
manufacturing, construction and maintenance of infrastructure throughout its life cycle.
Modern cities would not function without steel, cement, aluminium, glass and of course
synchronous power. Coal, gas, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants are capable of supplying
synchronous power which modern devices require (air-conditioners, fridges, lighting circuits etc.).
Glencore who manages Hunter Valley Operations sets very high standards for safety and
environmental management, for example, real time monitoring of noise and dust which trigger
immediate alarms should conditions be approached. The arguments around health impacts can be
quite emotive and it is important that the facts be established particularly through NSW Health and
other expert bodies. It is my understanding that air quality in the Hunter Valley is in fact better that
Western Sydney. Mineworkers at Hunter Valley Operations are monitored for exposure through Coal
Services, exceedances are exceptionally rare and well managed, in which I play a part.
Greenhouse emissions are a global issue with Nations participating through Kyoto and Paris
agreement commitments. These should not be targeted at individual mines, whereby our high
quality coal can be blended at international import terminals for which Glencore or YanCoal has no
control.
I believe the Hunter Valley Operations Environmental Impact Statement is very robust and like other
recent mining developments is an iteration on best practice. Hunter Valley Operations continued
operations would utilise existing infrastructure in place to process and load product coal onto rail
infrastructure. This in my opinion is an efficient use of installed infrastructure and maintains
employment of over 1500 employees and specialist contracts that support all facets of coal
production and processing.

The continuation of mining at HVO will ensure that reasonable steps are taken to protect the current employees of the mining industry. to end mining in 5 years would add an enormous burden to the economy as there would be thousands of workers displaced and unable to find employment. We need to transition a decrease in mining over the next 50 years to;
1. ensure that the government can find an alternative source of sustainable income
2. ensure that employees of the mining industry are able to transition into an alternative job
3. minimise the impact on the economy

I support the project as it's invaluable to our local and national economy.

I support the HVO continuation project, the proposed mine supports the local community and will support many families and businesses directly and indirectly. As well as providing significant royalties to the NSW government, funds that can be used in the local region and metropolitan zones of NSW. This is important funding as we transition to renewable energy and re-train the region's workforce for other industries, it is crucial that environmentally responsible operators such as HVO continue to mine in our region.

By keeping the mine open it keeps the local economy with jobs

With the ongoing demand for energy across Australia, there is a growing requirement for base load stabilisation - particularly within NSW as we make the transition to renewable energy sources. The continuation of HVO is vital to the ongoing success of the state economy and will continue to support growth of primary and secondary industry in the region around Singleton and Muswellbrook.

The continuation of mining will have a multi faceted and positive impact on the whole of our local community inclusive of 1500 ongoing permanent jobs, 600 temporary jobs with an economic contribution of $860million. The estimated total net contribution of continuation amounts to $4.8 Billion in NPV.