Coal and Allied is rolling out plans for the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine extension today hoping to gain community support and approval for the project.
The company claims a recent community survey reflects increased recognition of the importance of the operation and the security of 1300 jobs at the mine.
A counter survey by the Australia Institute suggestes 83% of 1000 people living in the Hunter Valley didn’t want to see the industry expand.
Parent company, Rio Tinto’s Australia Managing Director, Chris Salisbury says it’s a crucial time for the future of the mine.
“We have been working for close to five years to secure a long term future for this mine and the
people who rely on it for their jobs. We’re now running out of time in what is an extremely
challenging environment for the coal industry, where mines without a strong future are being shut
down,” he said.
The current approvals will only allow the mine to maintain existing production until the end of next year, however Rio Tinto wants it extended to 2035.
we will all stand behind each other again so mt thorley do not get their extension ,be a resident in their perimeter and see what we have to go through to filthy water which we cant drink all our furniture covered in dust ,foul odours after blasting and constant noise from operations of a night stopping us from opening our windows in summer for breeze we have to have all our doors and windows closed due to dust and noise and we will have trouble selling our houses . come and watch them dust truck loads of dirt on windy days as they dont stop , i have a brand new car that is always covered in dust and it doenst even help if cars are garaged
Nicole, you will have ALOT of trouble selling your house if Mt Thorley/Warkworth close down. Property prices have already dropped since the mining industry downturn, and they will plummet even further if MTW closes down.
Alot of Bulga residents work for Coal & Allied – they will be forced to sell their property and leave the area – what will happen to the price of your house then?!?
They mine has been there for over 30 years – why did you move to Bulga in the first place? I don’t like the smell of rubbish dumps – that’s why I choose not to live near one.
The Hunter Valley NEEDS coal mining. Let’s all band together to support the mining industry.
Geoff it’s a catch 22 with our houses
The company made a deal with the residents on the last big extension they would not go further and now they have renigged
If they want to come closer they should at minimum offer anyone who lives in Bulga a buy out option at a reasonable price but currently they only purchasing people who are the closest
But we are all effected
Just Rio being greedy as normal
Well then, sell your place and move out. There’s plenty of houses for sale in Singleton and Branxton. They’re all selling pretty cheap at the moment – because local coal mines are shutting down.
What did you expect would happen when you bought a house so close to mining activity? I don’t want seagulls crapping all over my car – hence, I don’t live by the ocean.