Whitehaven coal
READ THE EIS
AND DPIE'S
ASSESSMENT REPORT
Providing local jobs for decades to come
The Narrabri underground coal mine has been operating since 2012 and employs around 500 people, most of whom live in the region. The mine is approved to extract coal at a rate of up to 11 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal per annum until 2031. The Stage 3 Extension Project is a proposal to extract coal to the south of the existing mine.
Coal will be mined using the underground longwall mining method already used successfully and safely at the mine, and using the established surface infrastructure, including the existing coal handling preparation plant, rail loop, box cut and offices.
The proposed extension would extend the life of the mine from 2031 to 2044, providing continued employment for hundreds of locals. The Extension would also allow for the socio-economic benefits associated with the mine, including spend with local businesses and royalty payments to the NSW Government, to continue for more than another decade. For more detail, download the fact sheet.
In January 2022, after more than a year of review, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) recommended that the Stage 3 Extension Project is in the public interest and approvable subject to conditions. Read DPIE’s review here.
On 1 April 2022, the Project was approved by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC).
On 24 September 2024, the Project was approved by the Federal Government, subject to conditions, in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Cth).
Key benefits
$599m
additional net economic benefit to NSW
500
jobs continuing for decades
$317m
of direct wages into the local community to 2044 (NPV basis)
$259m
in additional royalties to the NSW Government
$247m
of local supplier spend to 2044 (NPV basis)
75%
of workforce locally‑based
Comprehensively
studying the impacts
As part of the comprehensive State and Federal Government assessment process, we’ve carefully studied potential impacts, incorporating feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.
The results of these studies are outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which includes a proposed design for the extension that seeks to avoid, minimise or offset environmental and other impacts. The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) sought public feedback on the proposal in late 2020 and Whitehaven has responded to the questions raised in submissions. In January 2022 DPIE recommended that the Stage 3 Extension Project is in the public interest and approvable subject to conditions.
Read the EIS and DPIE’s Assessment Report at the DPIE website here.
Designed to minimise impacts
The proposed longwall extensions will occur beneath land owned by Whitehaven and NSW Forestry Corporation. The longwall layout and surface infrastructure have been specifically designed to minimise impacts on features of environmental or cultural significance, which will not be directly impacted, and threatened species’ habitats.
Surface infrastructure would be progressively decommissioned over the life of the Project, with disturbed land to be rehabilitated to the pre-mining land use of agriculture and forestry.
We will use the existing pit top area for coal handling and transport, so no new coal stockpiles, coal handling and preparation plant or rail load out facilities will need to be constructed to access coal to the south of the existing mine.
Respecting the local environment
As detailed in the Environmental Impact Statement, we’ve worked to identify and minimise environmental impacts, including:
- Noise impacts will comply with NSW Government guidelines, or are subject to agreements that are already formed or being negotiated between Whitehaven and relevant landholders.
- Air quality will remain within NSW Government limits at all privately owned receivers.
- The mine has an existing, robust surface water management system that will meet the needs of the Extension Project. The Extension is predicted to have negligible impacts to surface water, including the Namoi River.
- All water use and impacts will be managed in accordance with state and federal Government guidelines.
- Biodiversity impacts would be offset in accordance with NSW and Federal Government guidelines.
- No long-term impact on agricultural production and biophysical strategic agricultural land.
Whitehaven has also committed to purchasing electricity generated by renewable sources or carbon neutral electricity certified by Climate Active across all of its operations, so that Scope 2 GHG emissions for the Extension Project will be reduced and/or offset where reasonable and feasible. This is reflected in the draft conditions of consent prepared by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment available here.
Environmental Management Plans
The Environmental Management Plans have been developed and made available on the website in accordance with NSW Government requirements, however they are not currently active as the Project has not yet commenced.
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Environmental Management Strategy
7558KB -
Stage 3 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan
15810KB -
Stage 3 Air Quality Management Plan
11859KB -
Stage 3 Biodiversity Management Plan
29937KB -
Stage 3 Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
12892KB -
Stage 3 Groundwater Management Plan
6401KB -
Stage 3 Noise Management Plan
11672KB -
Stage 3 Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan
7063KB -
Stage 3 Site Water Balance
8396KB -
Stage 3 Surface Water Management Plan
11885KB -
Stage 3 Traffic Management Plan
15645KB -
Stage 3 Water Management Plan
43528KB