A major expansion of the Mount Pleasant coal mine near Muswellbrook has been approved, extending the operation’s life by six years.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure signed off on MACH Energy’s Mod 8 modification on Friday, allowing mining at Mount Pleasant to continue until December 31, 2032, six years beyond the previous end date. The approval also lifts the mine’s permitted run-of-mine coal extraction rate from 10.5 million tonnes to 12.5 million tonnes a year.
In its determination, the department said the project would deliver a range of benefits for the region and the state, including royalty payments, taxes and continued employment for around 575 full-time equivalent workers. It found the modification was consistent with government policy and that impacts on the community and environment could be appropriately managed, minimised or offset.
The approval comes as a separate legal challenge remains before the courts. That matter was heard by the High Court on May 13, with judgment still pending.
