Dartbrook Decision May Be Challenged

AUSTRALIAN Pacific Coal, the owners of the Dartbrook mine near Aberdeen, are considering an appeal against a decision by the Independent Planning Commission not to grant a five year licence extension for the mine.

In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange last week, the Company said the five year extension was necessary to justify the capital expenditure  to recommission the mine, further stating this had been acknowledged by the IPC.

While the IPC granted approval for modifications to bord-and-pillar operations on August 13, they rejected the licence extension based on “principles of ecologically sustainable development or inter-generational equity; and, as such, is not in the public interest.”

However, the Company noted the NSW Department of Planning and Environment had advised the IPC the “impacts of the modification are acceptable and the proposal is approvable, subject to the proposed recommended conditions of consent.”

The Company has until November 8 to lodge an appeal with the NSW Land and Environment Court.

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• Dartbrook Mine Overview