Hume Coal to build a low-impact underground coal mine

Hume Coal intends to build a low-impact and environmentally sensitive underground coal mine in the Southern Highlands, Australia. Details of the plans will be submitted to New South Wales Government as a first step in the approval process.

The aim is to extract coal from the Wongawilli coal seam in the Sutton Forest region, while protecting the ground water and the environment.

Project Director, Greig Duncan, stated that the company had commenced detailed environmental and geological studies as well as extensive engineering design analysis to make sure the local community received the best outcome.

The planned coal mine will mine 35% of coal from the available reserves and leave the rest underground in order to provide long-term ground stability and reduce impacts on groundwater.

It is expected to create 400 jobs for the local community and create a viable, long-term industry for the region.

Duncan said: “We’re delighted to be able to deliver a plan that offers significant economic and social benefits to the region while preserving and protecting the things that make this place special. The NSW Government has granted us the responsibility of exploring and potentially developing the resources in the Southern Highlands to the benefit of all the people of NSW and we take this responsibility extremely seriously,”

Duncan continued: “The project will not involve coalbed methane, opencast or longwall mining. It will have no impact on town water or surface water such as dams. Furthermore, we’ve taken great care to design a mining system that will have no long-term impact on the groundwater system, ensuring it remains intact and undamaged for future generations.”

Edited from Press Release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/exploration-and-development/13072015/hume-coal-plans-to-build-a-low-impact-underground-coal-mine-2551/