Tag: Hunter Valley

Coal nod for Hunter Valley

Coal nod for Hunter Valley

Malabar Resources has welcomed the decision by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to approve the Maxwell Underground Project near Muswellbrook in the NSW’s Upper Hunter. The determination follows the project’s comprehensive and technical review by independent experts and rigorous assessment by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Department). The Department in its whole-of-government assessment report concluded that the Maxwell Underground Project was “in the public interest” and “approvable”. The project also underwent significant community consultation and engagement, including through the public exhibition of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement in September 2019 and a public hearing facilitated by the IPC in November 2020. Chairman Wayne Seabrook said Malabar is eager to begin the necessary next steps to begin…

Mining in the Hunter Valley: A red-hot go

Mining in the Hunter Valley: A red-hot go

As one of the nation’s largest coal producing regions, the Hunter Valley has remained steadfast in response to mounting global pressure over the mining of thermal coal for electricity. IT’S been a hive of activity in the Hunter Valley over the past few months. The region’s coalfields contain largely thermal and soft coking coal. Mines near the eastern edge of the basin are spread along the Hunter Valley from Newcastle in the south to Muswellbrook in the north, most of which are open-cut. Both soft coking and thermal coal products are produced from mines such as Hunter Valley Operations and Bulga. With the NSW Independent Planning Commission giving United Wambo the green light on August 29, the region will now…

Rail in Mining: Golden Age

Rail in Mining: Golden Age

Image: Australasian Railway Association. BY AMY BLOM RAIL is set to boom in mining, with several rail-reliant iron ore and coal mines schedules for development in WA and QLD, and a renewed focus on innovation. However, the industry continues to be challenged by a skills shortage. Rail has entered a golden age, particularly within the mining industry, but it is still struggling to attract young talent, according to Australasian Railway Association (ARA) chief executive Danny Broad. Mr Broad, who has previously warned of a skills shortage, said there had been a huge increase in rail investment, which was good for the country, but presented challenges if the industry was not prepared. “It’s the golden era of rail at the moment, there…

Growth Opportunities

Growth Opportunities

Rio Tinto’s Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) project produced more than 13 million tonnes of thermal and semi-soft coking coal in 2015. Image: Rio Tinto. By Elizabeth Fabri AS thermal and coking coal prices recover from record lows, the resources industry remains hopeful the worst is now over for NSW’s economic ‘engine room’; the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley is Australia’s largest regional area, comprising 11 local governments, about 600,000 residents, and the country’s seventh largest city, Newcastle. Coal mining in the region dates back to 1791, and continues to drive the economy with a number of world-class coal projects spread across the 29,145sqkm expanse. When coal prices took a hit four years ago, the Hunter’s strength was put to the…