Abel dossier

Image: Pambalong Nature Reserve

Proponent: NCIG member Donaldson Coal

Location: In the Cessnock area, 23 kilometres north of Newcastle in the Lower Hunter Valley of NSW.

Proposal: An underground mine, taking out 4.5 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal per annum. When burned, the coal from the Abel proposal would produce over nearly 10 million tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide per annum (comparison: the entire NSW transport sector emissions in 2004 were 22.6 million tonnes). As underground mines do, Abel would have a major impact on the hydrology of the area, affecting the flow of Blue Gum Creek and impacting on the Pambalong Nature Reserve, wetland and riparian rainforest ecosystems.

Process as at end November 2006: Donaldson has submitted an Environmental Assessment under Part 3a of the NSW EP&A Act (the planning act). The EA does not assess the impacts of the mine through climate change from burning the coal. Public submissions closed on 9th November. All eyes are on the NSW Planning Minister (just as he likes it). For updates see the Planning website: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#hunt

Further info:
www.abelcoal.com.au

Local contacts:
Black Hill Environment Protection Group
Phone: 4930 3172
Email: blackhillepg<AT>bigpond.com