New South Wales’ Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has approved two State significant development applications allowing Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) to continue open-cut coal mining at its North and South sites.
The approval is subject to a series of conditions aimed at limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the projects.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The continuation project aims to recover coal resources within existing HVO tenements, extending HVO North’s mine life from 2026 to 2045 and HVO South’s from 2030 to 2042.
HVO exports thermal and semi-soft steel-making coal and is independently managed for Yancoal (51%) and Glencore (49%).
NSW’s planning department referred the applications to the commission on 12 June 2026.
Its panel reviewed 10,576 written submissions, heard 129 oral submissions across a three-day hearing, and met the applicants, councils, government departments, the Net Zero Commission and regulators.
In the Statement of Reasons, the Commission noted that emissions associated with the projects are projected to total 809 million tonnes of GHGs from mining operations and the overseas combustion of exported coal.
The panel acknowledged the impacts of these emissions on the region and globally, as well as the employment and economic benefits cited by supporters.
As part of its conditions, the IPC has directed HVO to limit exports to destinations with GHG reduction policies consistent with the Paris Agreement and to maximise renewable energy use at the site within four years.
Further requirements include a GHG Mitigation Plan and a Scope 3 Management Plan, both to be published within specified time frames, and additional carbon offset purchases beyond those required under the Commonwealth Safeguard Mechanism.
The mine operator is also required to prepare a Closure Management Plan in consultation with local councils and the community.
The plans require the planning department secretary’s approval and updates. Conditions also address biodiversity, water, noise, dust and other effects.
The project still needs federal environmental approval by the end of December 2026 for operations to continue.
