Please contact us via vickerycoal@whitehavencoal.com.au for more information


Powering the region
Vickery will deliver more jobs and a stronger future for North West NSW
The Vickery Extension Project (Vickery) is a proposal to construct an open-cut coal mine and associated on-site infrastructure about 25 kilometres north of Gunnedah. The mine will produce a majority metallurgical coal for steel-making, with the balance being high quality thermal coal destined for premium export markets in our region.
The proposal builds upon, and further optimises, an already-approved mine, on a site that has already been extensively and safely mined over many years. The proposal will make Vickery and our neighbouring operations more efficient and sustainable over the longer term.
In August 2020, Vickery was approved by the Independent Planning Commission NSW.
$1.2b
net economic benefit to NSW
950
jobs during construction and operations to be created
$700m
capital investment
Early mining
In April 2023, the Whitehaven Coal Board approved investment to commence the early mining of the Vickery coal deposit.
Early mining will comprise of a low capital project that will utilise surplus coal processing and washing infrastructure capacity at the Gunnedah CHPP as well as existing road haulage, rail and port capacity.
Construction commenced in June 2023 and first coal is expected around mid-CY2024, with production ramping up in FY25. Following ramp-up, ROM production of around 1.2-1.3Mtpa (~0.9-1.0Mtpa sales) is expected.
Further information about Vickery Early Mining can be found in the March 2023 Quarter Production Report
For information about employment opportunities, please visit the Whitehaven People & Careers page
Local businesses and suppliers are encouraged to register their interest here
Members of the community can contact us via email or our community hotline for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.

JOBS
Benefits accruing locally
Vickery has the potential to be one of the most significant sources of employment and investment in North West NSW over the coming years.
The Project will create approximately 500 jobs during the construction phase and 450 jobs during operations. We estimate it will generate approximately 170 new jobs in locally-based supplier businesses.
500
construction jobs
450
operational jobs
75%
of workforce locally-based
$271m
in wages that will help support local businesses
Project Development Works Expression of Interest
Please register your interest for the four major work packages associated with the construction works for this landmark project.

Environment
Respecting the local environment
We have comprehensively studied the potential impacts of the proposal to ensure environmental impacts are minimised, mitigated or offset.
The results of these studies are outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which incorporates some 18 specialist assessments from independent scientific and technical experts, and shows that noise, air quality and visual impacts of the mine are similar or better than what is already approved.
18
Major assessments from scientific and technical experts
Noise, air quality and visual impacts same or better than what is already approved
No mining in the ‘Blue Vale’ pit
Assessment process
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Submission
Whitehaven submits the Development Application, including the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), for assessment.
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Review
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) reviews the EIS and prepares for public exhibition.
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Public exhibition
EIS placed on public exhibition, and submissions are lodged. Commonwealth Independent Expert Scientific Committee reviews EIS.
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Preliminary issues report
The DPIE assesses the EIS and publishes a report outlining preliminary considerations.
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Independent Review if required
The NSW Minister for Planning may direct the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to undertake an independent review of the Project.
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Public comment
The IPC holds public hearings and calls for public comment on the Project.
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Response to submissions
Whitehaven prepares a response to submissions made during the exhibition period and public hearings.
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Whole of Government review
DPIE delivers its whole-of-Government assessment of the Project, to be considered by the IPC.
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Additional public hearings
The IPC may hold additional public hearings into the Project.
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IPC determination
The IPC will make a determination. If the Project is approved, conditions will be imposed.
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Commonwealth determination
Commonwealth Government determination – if approved, conditions are likely to be imposed.
Blast Notification
Next Scheduled blast:
Blasting at the Vickery Mine will occur once mining has begun.
Blasting operations will be carried out between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday. No blasting will occur on Sundays or Public Holidays.Blast details:
Information updated:
26/09/2023
Contacts
Vickery Extension Project
Contact us via email or our community hotline for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.
All contactsTimeline
Small scale underground mining first commenced
Larger scale open cut mining undertaken
at the former Vickery Coal Mine, owned by Rio Tinto
Mining at the former Vickery Coal Mine ceased
Rehabilitation works commenced
Whitehaven acquired CL316 from Rio Tinto
Whitehaven submits a Development Application and EIS for the Vickery Coal Project
NSW Government approves Vickery Coal Project area
Whitehaven submits a Development Application and EIS for the Vickery Extension Project
NSW Independent Planning Commission approves Vickery Extension Project
Federal Environment Minister approves the Vickery Extension Project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Whitehaven Coal Board approves investment to commence early mining of the Vickery coal deposit.
Approvals
VCM-Authorisation 406
285.89 KBVCM-Coal Lease 316
885.97 KBVCM-Exploration Licence 5831
1 MBVCM-Exploration Licence 7407
1.05 MBVCM-Exploration Licence 8224.PDF
1.41 MBVCM-Exploration Licence-EL 7407
327.8 KBVCM-Mining Lease 1718
318.18 KBVCM-Mining Lease 1838
1.11 MBVCM-Mining Lease-CL 316
526.5 KBVCM-Mining Lease-ML 1464
834.21 KBVCM-Mining Lease-ML 1471
675.24 KBVCM-Mining Lease-ML 1718
389.85 KB
Community
Vickery Extension Project CCC MEMBER DETAILS AND CONTACTS
Community Consultative Committee applications
The Vickery Extension Project Community Consultative Committee (CCC) is looking for a mix of people who live locally or are members of a local community or stakeholder group (e.g. social, environment, Aboriginal or industry) to contribute constructively to committee discussions, attend around four meetings a year, and communicate information about the mine’s social and environmental operations between the committee and the broader community. Committee membership is voluntary. Whitehaven employees and contractors are not eligible for appointment to the committee as a community representative.
To make an Expression of Interest to join the Vickery Extension Project CCC, please review the criteria, complete an application form and return it to the independent chairperson of the CCC, Roberta Ryan at Roberta.Ryan@newcastle.edu.au or PO Box 600, Gunnedah, NSW 2380.
For more information contact Roberta Ryan on 0402 209 896.
VIC - CCC 2304 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.92 MBVIC - Complaint Register 10_2023
144.43 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2017
58.76 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2018
176.23 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2019
176.15 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2020
453.78 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2021
359.86 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2022
55.34 KBVIC-Complaint Register 2023
109.06 KB
VIC - CCC 1506 Meeting Minutes
76.83 KBVIC - CCC 1604 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
3.21 MBVIC - CCC 1604 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
3.21 MBVIC - CCC 1604 Presentation
1.59 MBVIC - CCC 1703 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.66 MBVIC - CCC 1808 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
6.95 MBVIC - CCC 1808 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
6.95 MBVIC - CCC 1810 Meeting Minutes
4.58 MBVIC - CCC 1905 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
3.65 MBVIC - CCC 1910 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
6 MBVIC - CCC 2006 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
3.18 MBVIC - CCC 2011 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.8 MBVIC - CCC 2108 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.75 MBVIC - CCC 2111 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.74 MBVIC - CCC 2205 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
3.95 MBVIC - CCC 2209 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.99 MBVIC - CCC 2308 Meeting Minutes and Presentation
2.84 MBVIC - CCC Member Contact Details
165.68 KB
Environmental Management, Monitoring & Compliance
VCM-Amendment Report
25.39 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Executive Summary
17.95 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Table of Contents
1.11 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 1 - Introduction
14.23 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 2 - Project Description
16.11 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 3 - Consulation and Community Initiatives
1.12 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 4 - Environmental Assessment
23.02 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 5 - Rehabilitation Strategy
16.75 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 6 - Planning Framework and Project Justification
930.03 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 7 - Summary of Management, Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting
903.64 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 8 - References
663.92 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 9 - Abbreviations, Acronyms and Glossary
706.18 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix A - Groundwater Assessment (Part 1)
16.94 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix A - Groundwater Assessment (Part 2)
11.75 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix B - Surface Water Assessment
9.85 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix C - Flood Assessment
16.29 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix D - Noise and Blasting Assessment
6.67 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix E - Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment
9.74 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix F - BARBOS (Part 1)
18.2 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix F - BARBOS (Part 2)
9.75 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix F - BARBOS (Part 3)
20.37 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix G - ACHA (Part 1)
26.29 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix G - ACHA (Part 2)
15.56 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix G - ACHA (Part 3)
15.24 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix H - Agricultural Impact Statement
17.13 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix I - Road Transport Assessment
19.58 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix J - Economic Assessment
1.76 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix K - Historic Heritage Assessment
8.6 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix L - Visual Assessment
11.11 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix M - Geochemistry Assessment
8.9 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix N - Aquatic Ecology Assessment
8.1 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix O - Environmental Risk Assessment
8.99 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix P - Preliminary Hazard Analysis
13.38 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix Q - Land Contamination Assessment (Part 1)
10.08 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix Q - Land Contamination Assessment (Part 2)
24.96 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix R - Social Impact Assessment
4.58 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 1 - Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements
3.88 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 2 - Matters of National Environmental Significance Cross Reference Table
916.79 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 3 - Development Application Area and Real Property Descriptions
767.72 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 4 - Peer Review Letters
5.33 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 5 - Planning Instruments Addendum
892.96 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 6 - Aquifer Interference Policy Considerations and Water Licensing Addendum
1.34 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 7 - Capital Investment Value Estimate Report
1021.38 KBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 8 - Community Information
13.45 MBVCM-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 9 - Site Verification Certificate
860.35 KBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Executive Summary
4.03 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Table of Contents
83.63 KBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 1 - Introduction
2.16 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 2 - Project Description
3.48 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 3 - Consultation and Community Initiatives
1010.12 KBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 4 - Environmental Assessment - Part 1
9.01 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 4 - Environmental Assessment - Part 2
7.63 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 5 - Rehabilitation and Mine Closure
4.21 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 6 - Planning Framework and Project Justification
1.08 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 7 - Summary of Management, Mitigationm Monitoring and Reporting
1.42 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 8 - References
957.67 KBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement- Section 9 - Abbreviations and Acronyms and Glossary
964.4 KBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix A - Groundwater Assessment - Part 1
7.81 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix A - Groundwater Assessment - Part 2
14.06 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix B - Surface Water Assessment - Part 1
7.77 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix B - Surface Water Assessment - Part 2
9.97 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix B - Surface Water Assessment - Part 3
8.84 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix B - Surface Water Assessment - Part 4
6.95 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix C - Noise and Blasting Assessment
4.93 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix D - Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment
8.62 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix E - Ecological Assessment - Part 1
10.96 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix E - Ecological Assessment - Part 2
7.26 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix F - Road Transport Assessment
4.65 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix G - Agricultural Impact Statement - Part 1
7.65 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix G - Agricultural Impact Statement - Part 2
9.07 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix H - Visual Assessment
4.77 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix I - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage - Assessment Part 1
2.82 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix I - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage - Assessment Part 2
11.99 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix J - Non Aboriginal Heritage Assessment
3.31 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix K - Socio Economic Assessment
1.44 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix L - Geochemistry Assessment
1.84 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix M - Environmental Risk Assessment
1.35 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix N - Preliminary Hazard Analysis
1.25 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix O - Land Contamination Assessment - Part 1
8.35 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix O - Land Contamination Assessment - Part 2
12.44 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Appendix O - Land Contamination Assessment - Part 3
12.01 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 1 - Director Generals Requirements
2.51 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 2 - Development Application Area and Real Property Descriptions
1.04 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 3 - Relevant Environmental Planning Instruments
1.11 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 4- Potential Interactions between Project and other Majors Projects
1000.17 KBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 5 - Water Licensing Requirement
1.11 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 6 - Community Information
1.85 MBVIC-Environmental Impact Statement-Attachment 7 - Peer Review Letter
1.34 MBVIC-Vickery Coal Project - Project Description and PEA
1.7 MB
Blast Management Plan
2.68 MBEnvironmental Management Strategy
2.61 MBVCM - Annual Rehabilitation Report and Forward Program
4.1 MBVIC-Water Management Plan
6.63 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan
2.42 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan
2.7 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Bushfire Management Plan
2.82 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Historic Heritage Management Plan
2.17 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Koala Plan of Management
2.33 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Rehabilitation Management Plan
1.38 MBWHC-PLN-VCM-Social Impact Management Plan
741.57 KBWHC_PLN_TAR ROC VCM_Traffic Management Plan
1.79 MBWHC_PLN_VCM_Biodiversity Management Plan
3.46 MBWHC_PLN_VCM_Noise Management Plan
2.87 MBWHC_PLN_VCM_Pollution Incident Response Management Plan
110.38 KBWHC_PLN_VCM_Rehabilitation Strategy
7.5 MBWHC_PLN_VCM_Waste Management Plan
1.88 MB