Mt Arthur expansions dossier

 MT ARTHUR COAL MINE EXPANSION PROPOSAL

Proponent: NCIG spearhead BHP Billiton, through their subsidiary Hunter Valley Energy Coal. Location: Next to Muswellbrook, in the Central Hunter Valley of NSW. Proposal: BHP currently operate the large open cut Mt Arthur coal mine. After the expansions, the plan is to be producing 23 million tonnes of raw coal per year. When burned, that would produce about 50 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution annually (comparison: the entire NSW transport sector emissions in 2004 were 22.6 million tonnes). The expansion plans include:
 - extension of the south pit of the current open-cut (3 million tonnes run-of-mine coal)
 - a new underground mine (8 million tonnes run-of-mine coal) Process as at end November 2006: BHP have been given their Environmental Assessments requirements under the planning act. They have commissioned a “Preliminary Environmental Assessment” report, and we are waiting on the real thing. The NSW Government is not requiring them to assess the impacts of the mine on life on earth, through the combustion of the coal and subsequent climate change. For updates see the Planning website: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#hunt Further info: www.mtarthurcoal.com.au (warning: this website is extremely heavy on the slick PR) Local contacts: We are not aware of any local groups working against this proposal, let us know if you are.