State Govt Announces $27m For Future Jobs, Post Mining Land Use

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 The State Government is today announcing a fund to support future economic development in the Hunter region, one responsible for looking at good uses of land after mines close down.

The Future Jobs and Investment Authority would use $27.3 million worth of taxpayer dollars over four years to try and attract investment, and also to figure out ways to spend Government money on post mining land use.

State Finance and Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos says the plan isn’t to get rid of coal mines, just to deal with decommissioned ones.

“We know that coal will continue to have an important role to play particularly here in the Hunter, where we have strong export markets, and I know our key trading partners are watching this closely,” she said.

Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams says it’s important to prepare for the future.

“There’s no doubt that coal mining jobs are well paid jobs, and they’ve been the backbone of the Hunter Valley for decades.

“But that doesn’t [resolve] the fact that at some point, mining will reduce,” he said.

Proposed Legislation Aims to Ensure Fair Treatment for Casuals in Hunter's Coal Mining Industry

BY BEN CLIFFORD

The Albanese Labor Government is taking action to address unfair laws which have resulted in reduced long-service leave entitlements for casual employees in the black coal mining industry.

The proposed legislation aims to provide equal treatment to casual workers compared to their permanent counterparts.

Under current laws, casual employees accrue long-service leave through a calculation which unfairly counts their working hours, resulting in a disadvantage for casuals who often work compressed fortnightly rosters.

Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, has expressed support for the proposed changes.

"This Bill will iron out the unfair laws currently disadvantaging casual workers in the coal mining sector," he said.

Mr Repacholi also emphasized the new laws will make a significant difference in the Hunter region.

"This will have a huge impact in the Hunter, as we have plenty of casuals that work in the mining industries," he said. 

"[Casual workers] should be making sure that when they take their long service leave, they get paid the same as what they would if they were a full-time employee. They shouldn’t be criticised or disadvantaged just because they are a casual." 

Once instilled, the legislation is expected to benefit around 6,000 workers in the industry.

Mount Thorley-Warkworth Mine in the Hunter Valley

Environment group launches legal action against Mount Pleasant mine expansion

BY DAKOTA TAIT

An Upper Hunter environment group has launched legal action to stop the expansion of the Mount Pleasant coal mine at Muswellbrook.

The Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group is arguing the Independent Planning Commission failed to consider the impacts of emissions on air quality and the environment, as well as the social and economic footprint, when it approved the project.

The group is being represented by the Environmental Defenders Office.

The approval was earlier in the year delayed, when a new species of legless lizard was discovered, the Hunter Valley Delma.

Image credit: Lock the Gate.

Federal MP alleges Hunter mine operators lying about coal quality

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government is seeking a briefing from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, after claims aired in Parliament, mine operators across the Hunter and Australia, are lying about coal quality. 

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie raised the allegations in Canberra on Monday, naming local operators Glencore and Peabody, as well as Anglo-American and Macquarie Bank. 

He told Parliament, a whistleblower coal executive has handed over thousands of documents as proof. 

The documents are purported to show fraud making out that Australian exports are of higher and cleaner quality than they actually are.

Testing firm ALS has also been implicated, just two years after admitting to falsifying up to 50 percent of results at its Newcastle lab. 

The corporate regulator has taken no action on ALS, but four staff members were suspended and then left the company.

If true, the allegations are likely to raise questions about the impact on emissions and the environment, as well as overseas sales and the economy.

Mt Arthur closure date sparks critical eight years for mine workers

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The next eight years will be important to get right, say advocates for local mine workers, as BHP announces plans to close the Mt Arthur coal mine in 2030.

The company revealed the decision yesterday, after failing to find a buyer to take over the site.

The mine has approval until 2026 and intended to extend its lifespan until 2045, but will now apply with the expectation to end operations in 2030.

The Mining and Energy Union is now calling on BHP to reinvest in workers and their families, as well as the broader community impacted by the closure.

Northern District Mining President Robin Williams says it's come as a surprise to a lot of workers.

"When they started to work at the mine, they probably started there thinking that they'd probably retire at the mine, and now that's not going to be realised by the vast majority of people that work at that operation," he said.

"There's not going to be enough jobs, in my opinion, in the rehabilitation of the mine or renewables around the area, if renewables end up eventuating to take up the account of all those people.

"Whether or not they can transition to other mines that are still going to be operational around the area, I guess that remains to be seen."

BHP is promising to take responsibility for the region's transition and help diversify the Hunter Valley economy ahead of the impending closure.

The company says it will consult employees, local businesses, indigenous groups, and all levels of government to develop a plan for the region's future.

Hunter MP-elect Dan Repacholi says he's hoping to work with BHP and make sure the company gets a fair outcome by the end of the decade.

"For the workers, this has given some security for the next eight years, which I think that's a good thing," he said. "I appreciate BHP being upfront with the workers and the community about the future of the mine site there."

"The big thing is though, they need to make sure the highly-skilled workforce be supported, and job transfer opportunities available and training available for them then to go into different industries."

"I've worked in the mining energy sector, and I have mates that actually work at this mine site - this is a personal issue for me."

Image credit: BHP.

Muswellbrook's Mt Arthur coal mine to end operations in 2030

BY DAKOTA TAIT

BHP says, it will close the Mt Arthur coal mine at Muswellbrook in 2030, after the company couldn't find a buyer for the site.

The mine, which is the largest in NSW and employs around 2,000 people, had been seeking to extend it's existing approval from 2026 to 2045.

It will now seek to extend the mine's lifespan by just four years.

The company informed the stock exchange on Thursday about its decision, which comes after a two-year review.

It's understood, Mt Arthur has been facing significant financial challenges.

Image credit: BHP.

Coal exploration licence ruled out at Wollombi

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A potential coal exploration licence at Wollombi has been ruled out.  

The Deputy Premier shot down the possibility, under questioning at Budget Estimates this morning.   

It's understood, Wollombi and Ganguddy-Kelgoola near Rylstone in the Central Tableands were both being considered by the State Government.  

Independent MP Justin Field says it's a great outcome for the regions and for the local environment. 

Image credit: visitwollombi.com.au

Hunter miners losing out on more than $235 million due to labour hire

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new study has revealed, the Hunter is losing out on more than $250 million in economic activity each year, due to wage-cutting strategies by mining companies through labour hire.

The McKell Institute report found, mining regions across the country are missing out on more than $1 billion.

The local electorates of Hunter and Paterson alone, which have the highest proportion of employment in coal across NSW, are estimated to be shortchanged $235.85 million.

The Mining and Energy Union is slamming labour hire practices, arguing outsourced jobs allow companies to circumvent long-standing enterprise agreements and offer lower wages instead.

Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams says the loopholes are unfair on working people.

"Obviously the model that employers are currently using, outsourcing labour to casual contractors, those people are casual, they're paid significantly less," Mr Williams said.

"$30,000 to $40,000 a year, doesn't give them the ability to turn up to the bank and get a home loan, because they're casual employees.

"That's the big impact." 

It's believed, Hunter Valley coal workers could be losing out on as much as 40 percent of their wages, as well as redundancy entitlements.

The union is hoping the upcoming Federal Election is a chance to turn things around.

Mr Williams says the coal industry is the backbone of the region, and voters should consider the issue at the ballot box.

"The solution from our perspective is that we need to change the government," Mr Williams said.

"We need same jobs, same pay - when you've got a coal company employing people directly, that's fine.

"When they employ labour hire at reduced rates, we need legislation to circumvent that."

Whitehaven Proposal Gains Planning Approval

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Whitehaven Coal's underground Narrabri mine has received planning approval for its proposed extension. 

The proposal will see the mine's longwall operations extended, and the life of the site will be prolonged by 13 years until 2044. 

The company says the move will be a lifeline for hundreds of jobs in the region, while also allowing royalty payments to the NSW government to continue for more than a decade. 

However, opponents of the project, including the Lock the Gate Alliance, say the extension will also be responsible for nearly half a billion tonnes of carbon emissions.

National Coordinator for the Lock the Gate Alliance, Georgina Woods, said the expansion of the Narrabri mine will make the site responsible for the highest volume of direct and indirect carbon emissions of any coal project regulated by the Independent Planning Commission. 

"We simply can't afford to lock in further methane and carbon dioxide emissions in the form of a coal mine expansion on this scale, especially when people in Australia are suffering the really terrible consequences of extreme climate change," she said. 

Ms Woods also expressed concern for farmers in the region, noting the impacts of drawn-down groundwater on the surrounding area. She said there is expected to be "at least eight or nine" farm bores affected by the coal mine, however local farmers believe this number to be much higher. 

"The underground mine also goes beneath the Pilliga Forest, which is a really crucial habitat refuge for threatened species, and because the longwall panels are so wide and so long, it's going to cause significant disruption on the surface and require clearing in the forest," she said. 

The project will go before a public hearing of the state's Independent Planning Commission on February 14. 

"We are now relying on the Independent Planning Commission to review this mining project in detail and hear from the local community, just how poor a record Whitehaven Coal has. They need to reject this coal mine expansion, not just in the interest of preventing climate change, but also to safeguard the groundwater resources that farmers in the Namoi rely on for their livelihoods," Ms Woods said. 

Image: Whitehaven Coal website

 

Hunter Projects to Receive $15 Million Bonus in Mining Royalties

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Thirty-five projects across the Hunter will receive a share in more than $15 million in bonus funding thanks to a revision of the Resources for Regions program.

The Resources for Regions program, which began in 2012, makes councils affected by the mining industry eligible to receive a share in mining royalties. 

While councils were originally required to meet a cost-benefit ratio as well as match the mining royalties in a fifty-fifty co-contribution, the latest reform has made it easier for communities to share in the funding.

Maitland, Singleton, Cessnock, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Upper Hunter will all receive extra funding for major projects.

Singleton Mayor Sue Moore says fifteen shovel-ready projects have been fast-tracked locally thanks to a budget bonus of $4.5 million.

"Many of these groups would have had to have fundraised for years to be able to bring about the funding, particularly with the community groups," Cr Moore said. 

"Council programs, of course, and infrastructure, that means we've got to pick between various projects, but we can deliver all of these projects and programs with the community as well as council benefitting."

The projects in Singleton include $500,000 for a new grandstand for Singleton Rugby Club, $560,000 for the Broke Village Shared Footpath, $299,000 for the Wonnarua Healing Centre, and $600,000 for upgrades to Hamiltons Crossing Road Causeway.

Maitland Council will also see $886,213 to develop a shared path at Walka Water Works in Morpeth, while Newcastle will put $500,000 toward a new active hub at Wallsend's Federal Park.

Cr Moore says the reforms to the Resources for Regions program were long-awaited and would go a long way to growing regional economies.

"Council has worked long and hard on advocating for reforms to the Resources for Regions program and it's wonderful to see that the people of Singleton are finally reaping the rewards," Cr Moore said.

Coal Projects to Deliver More Than Three Thousand Jobs for the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new report by the NSW Minerals Council is suggesting mining projects across the Lower and Upper Hunter could generate 3,700 jobs and more than $2.7 billion in capital investment for the region.

The ten coal projects outlined for the Hunter include two brand new underground thermal coal mine developments at Muswellbrook and Wyong, in addition to extensions to existing sites such as Glendell, Mangoola, and Rix's Creek.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee says together with the 22 other projects planned across the state, there is the potential for a total of $13 billion in capital investment and more than 15,500 employment opportunities.

"These are big opportunities for the Hunter Region and for the Hunter economy at a time when we are all looking for economic opportunities to help drive, hopefully, the economic recovery post the Coronavirus pandemic," said Mr Galilee.

The 32 total projects across New South Wales are in various stages of planning and assessment and represent an increase of seven from the sector's last major report released in November 2018

Although all of the projects in the pipeline for the Hunter are thermal or potential coking coal proposals, Mr Galilee says many of the other developments throughout the state have been identified as metal extraction projects.

“While the number of coal projects has risen slightly, the number of proposed metals projects has almost doubled from 6 to 11, representing over 30 percent of all major mining projects proposed in NSW, up from 20 percent 18 months ago," he said.

“This is an opportunity to further build and diversify the NSW mining sector and represents a strong industry response to the release of the NSW Government’s Minerals Strategy in early 2019.”

Image credit: https://www.nswmining.com.au/

Deputy Premier Visits Singleton to Announce Hunter Coal Towns Will Share in $50 Million in Mining Royalties

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter coal towns will share in $50 million worth of funding generated by mining royalties, under an overhaul of the 'Resources for Regions' program. 

The Deputy Premier, John Barilaro visited Singleton on Wednesday, announcing each eligible council will receive a base amount of $1 million, and a further $26 million be distributed to the LGA'S most impacted by the mining industry. 

Eligible Hunter councils include Broken Hill, Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton and the Upper Hunter. 

Singleton topped the list and will receive $4.51 million dollars this year. 

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore says the LGA was the top contributor of mining royalties to the NSW Treasury, with an average $340 million in mining royalties sent to Macquarie Street every year.

“Reforms to the Resources for Regions funding program have been at the top of our advocacy agenda for some time, and I have been working to take advantage of any opportunity to meet with the Deputy Premier to raise this issue,” she said.

General Manager Jason Linnane said he was especially happy to see that funding could be used for community programs and projects, and not just infrastructure.

“It  means that we can work with our community to implement a range of projects which will promote even greater relationships between the State Government, Council and community organisations to help us respond to the economic and social impacts of mining.

“Council staff are already working through potential projects, with a view to having our applications and works ready to go as soon as possible.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says coal mining will remain a key industry for some decades to come, generating jobs for regional communities and royalties that can be used to pay for essential public services and infrastructure.

“The NSW coal industry directly employs around 28,600 people and almost 114,000 people indirectly, and underpins around 80 per cent of the state’s energy supply,” Mr Barilaro said.

“In the wake of the worst drought on record, devastating bushfires and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the job security, economic growth and prosperity provided by the coal industry to our State, especially regional communities, has never been  more important .

“At the same time, we are working to reduce emissions in the mining sector, support responsible coal production, address community concerns and deliver $50 million worth of new infrastructure projects and community programs to mining affected towns under the Resources for Regions program.

Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said it was about striking the right balance to give the coal industry and regional communities the time they need to adapt and diversify their economies as the world transitions to a lower carbon future.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro

Maxwell Underground Mine Environmental Impact

BY ALICE PEART

Australian company Malabar Coal has lodged their Environmental Impact Statement for a new mine in the Hunter Valley, shifting plans from an open cut mine to an underground site. 

The shift occurred in response to backlash from the community, primarily over concerns for the impact on farmland and the internationally renown thoroughbred studs bordering on the site. 

Although Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon has said he's confident the company will adhere to strict environmental regulations, the company was fined just in March this year by the EPA after they were found to have discharged six million litres of polluted water in the Hunter Valley's Saltwater Creek. 

The Environmental Impact Statement also shows the proposed mine, located near Muswellbrook, is home to 295 First Nation sites containing archaeological artefacts. The statement proposes cataloguing and preservation measures according to Native Title and Heritage Protection acts -  but their economic summary demonstrates they have allocated no money in their budget under the category of Aboriginal Heritage.

Plans for the site by former owners were repeatedly knocked back but Malabar Coal say they are confident their submission is "vastly different from past proposals for the site" in response to concerns over noise, threats to air quality and visual impacts. 

Labor Critical of Government's Liddell Taskforce

BY LILLY HAINES

The Morrison Government has announced a taskforce to study the expected closure of the Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook.

The taskforce is reportedly leaving all options on the table including extending the life of or replacing the ageing coal plant at the expense of the taxpayer, and is looking into the effects the closure will have on our energy system.

The announcement comes after AGL revealed it would extend the life of Liddell an extra four months with closure now planned for April 2023.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources, and Federal Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon has said the move is too little too late from the Morrison Government.

"We've known for at least six years that Liddell would not last beyond her 50th birthday and yet they have left it until now to try to work out what we are going to do in response," he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the Hunter needs to attract new investment into new generation and storage facilities to counter the closure of the coal fired power plant.

"The government has announced a four month extension, which we welcome, but we needed an energy policy six years ago to drive investment and accelerate new facilities in the Upper Hunter".

"If the formation of a committee is the best thing the Morrison Government can do after six years we are all in trouble," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook. Image: ABC News. 

Glencore Extension Plan Raises Air Quality Concerns

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

An application from Glencore to modify and extend operations at its Mt Owen mine has raised concerns over the government's commitment to reduce air pollution.

The company hopes to take advantage of the underground Integra mine tenements it acquired in 2015, which weren't factored into the Mining Operations Plan approved in 2016.

The proposed changes would enable recovery of an additional 35 million tonnes of coal and could extend the mine's life by up to six years.

With the Hunter already dealing with air quality issues, Lock The Gate's NSW Coordinator Georgina Woods says Glencore's application needs to be considered alongside ongoing local concerns.

"We have had dozens of air quality alerts in the Hunter already this year," Ms Woods told 2NURFM News.

"But still more open cut pits are being approved and growing in size in this region."

Ms Woods says coal mining companies seem to be pushing for approvals of mine extensions that aren't yet needed and suggests it could be a move to avoid potential future environmental protection measures.

"We're still waiting for the government to bring out its promised clean air strategy, we're still waiting for the EPA to introduce measures to make sure coal mining companies are paying for the air pollution they're creating." Ms Woods said.

In a statement, Glencore said there would be no changes to open cut mining methods, annual production or major infrastructure, and that the mitigation and management of potential air quality impacts would continue to be a strong focus for their operations.

Mount Owen mine. PHOTO: Thiess

Meeting To Determine Mount Pleasant Mine Extension

BY ARIANA GATTI

A meeting in Muswellbrook was held today to discuss a proposal posed to extend the life of the Mount Pleasant open-cut coal mine forward another six years.

The mine, which was approved for operation from 1999, was set to wrap up activity by the year 2020.

However, residents around the Mount Pleasant and Muswellbrook area are raising concerns against the extension of mining operations due to the on-going effects chemicals from the mined substances have on the population's health and environmental conditions.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), as well as The Department of Health has also raised concerns about the deterioration of air quality around the region, along with the future quality of conditions of the Hunter River, as the mine decides to discharge dirty water into the catchment.

Image sourced: https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/5505849/muswellbrook-coal-mine-hearing-considers-serious-air-quality-concerns/?cs=175#slide=1

The discharge has the potential to affect drinking water standards, where pollution may run through available tap water.

If plans to extend the mine's operations, production could see almost 60-million tonnes worth of coal being extracted over the given six cycle.

Coordinator for the Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group, Wendy Wales, says the community is in need of some consideration to sit a comfortable lifestyle.

"It doesn't feel as if the NSW Government cares at all about air pollution and its effect on us, so we are appealing to the Planning Commission to demonstrate its independence and refuse to approve this modification", she says.

Wales believes mine activity does not comply well with the weather conditions around the Muswellbrook area.

"We've had an incredibly hot summer and now we're really seeing the consequences with all the mining activity that has happened in the area and with heavy winds blowing up Mount Pleasant is just a recipe for disaster", Wales says.

Image sourced: https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/5505849/muswellbrook-coal-mine-hearing-considers-serious-air-quality-concerns/?cs=175#slide=1

Call for Greater Intervention to Prevent Muswellbrook Pollution

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

It's feared pollution from Upper Hunter coal mines will only intensify unless companies are forced to temporarily shut down when air quality becomes hazardous.

A review of the Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network concludes Muswellbrook has some of the worst air pollution figures in the state.

Throughout the Summer of 2017/18, there were 13 exceedances of large particle pollution, with very dry and windy conditions exacerbating the problem.

It comes as families vacate the town in droves, hoping to avoid health risks associated with coal dust.

Muswellbrook Councillor, Graeme McNeill has been contacted by an anonymous employee at BHP and now believes behemoth companies are merely copping EPA fines while continuing to pollute.

"If [an individual] is caught littering, they're fined approximately 1% of the yearly average income [equating to about $700]," he said, "but the latest fine that BHP incurred represents less than 0.001% of their annual profits."

The Councillor thinks it's a mere drop in the ocean which fails to disincentivise dust exceedances and is calling for the EPA to be given the power to stop operations until favourable conditions (like less wind and heat) return.

"Muswellbrook has given up its natural landscapes and its clean air for the benefit of NSW in royalties that the government receives," Cr McNeill said.

"When you look at the revenue being extracted from the area," he explained, "it just seems very unjust that we can't even be looked after with clean air...

He said those residents who remain in the town are suffering through consequences.

"People's water bills are through the roof because you're always washing verandahs, backwashing in pools...we're burdened with all these additional costs as well as the health effects just so the state can benefit from the derived income," he concluded.

It's unclear when the matter will be brought before Muswellbrook Shire Council, with Cr McNeill labelling it an "ongoing discussion."

Image: Muswellbrook Chronicle. 

Time for crackdown on Valley mines following dusty blast

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Hunter Valley winemakers are furious at the owner of two of the region's biggest mines, following a blast on Friday which sent pollution over pastures.

Local landholders say just before midday, Yancoal conducted a planned blast at the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine, which sent a plume of thick orange dust flying through the air and onto grape crops.

Tony Bainton of Bainton Family wines said it's an ongoing issue which residents shouldn't have to grapple with anymore.

"It's about the health of residents living in the Valley," Mr Bainton said, "the mines don't seem to have any respect for the residents living around them. "

He said state government measures to bring Yancoal in line with licence regulations have so far proven ineffective. 

"Even when they do catch them out, they fine them such a small amount of money...it's pocket money to them and they don't care."

Local landholders have written to the Department of Planning, asking for Yancoal to be investigated and have its licence suspended until they demonstrate they can operate without causing pollution.

Georgina Woods from Lock the Gate Alliance is supporting the plea, saying its time to enforce protections to safeguard the vital Hunter wine industry.

"There have been many days over the last few months," she said, "dozens of days where air quality in that part of the Hunter Valley has breached national standards."

"That's not a good look for one of our key tourism industries," Ms Woods continued, "it's up to the state government to get control of the mines and ensure they're not impacting on the surrounding industry."

Lock the Gate believe a key way to restore the balance is to create a no-go buffer zone to protect the vineyards and horse farms.

"There is a need for an exclusion zone around the strategic farmland that was mapped for the wine and horse industries," said Georgina Woods, "we can't allow the mines to continue coming closer and closer."

An orange plume lingers in the air following a blast at Yancoal, 11:53am Friday March 13.