27 May 2021

Federal Court judgment – Vickery Extension Project

Whitehaven Coal welcomes today’s judgment in the Federal Court dismissing proceedings seeking to prevent the Federal Environment Minister granting an approval for the company’s Vickery Extension Project under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act (1999).

Our consistent position has been that this legal claim was without merit.

The company sees a continuing role for high quality coal in contributing to global CO2 emissions reduction efforts while simultaneously supporting economic development in our near region. There is strong market demand for the high quality product of the type Vickery will produce.

Major employment-generating investments in the economy will be essential as the Australian economy continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. It is critical there is confidence in the integrity of Australia’s robust environmental approvals framework.

Whitehaven looks forward to receiving the EPBC approval for the Vickery Extension Project and will keep the market updated as appropriate.

Notes for Editors

• The Vickery Extension Project sought consent to increase the approved, but as yet undeveloped, Vickery Coal Project, to operate an up to 10Mtpa open cut, predominantly metallurgical, coal mine with onsite processing and rail infrastructure.
• The Project will create approximately 500 jobs during the construction phase and 450 jobs during operations.
• On 12 August 2020, the NSW Independent Planning Commission approved the project.
• The project is now being reviewed by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) for Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) approval.

Find out more here.

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