A report released by Lock the Gate Alliance has found fixing mine rehabilitation shortfalls could create jobs in the Hunter.
The report concludes more than 1200 jobs could be created if the state government implements mandatory rehabilitation targets for mines.
The Hunter is home to the nine largest coal mines in the state, with only 9302 hectares of 30,192 disturbed hectares currently under rehabilitation.
NSW Coordinator for Lock the Gate Alliance, Georgina Woods says NSW taxpayers are at risk of having to pay the bill for mine rehabilitation.
"We want to make sure that mining rehab is being done while the mine its self is operating, so it's keeping up with the mine and being done while there is still money around," she said
"We need to make sure there are mandatory targets for every mine site."
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| Image from: Newcastle Herald. |
