HVO North Open Cut Coal Continuation Project

I am a member of HVO North Workshops in particular “ Trucks” as part of maintenance group. My shifts begin in the North to travel down to the South Pit operations in Cheshunt and Riverview mining areas. Many of my fellow fitters work in the North Workshops as well as Mobile units who maintain dozers, graders etc. Many contractors also rely on these operations too in support of production mining and ancillary equipment as well. HVO is a very large employer utilising many local suppliers who provide people, parts and services from Singleton and Musselbrook townships. We are a valued member of the local community and have a great relationship with suppliers and sporting groups through sponsorship and grants giving back to local area. Many employees work local and spend their money locally too with their kids attending local schools as well...all because of our mine with its long-term future and sustainability. Thankyou for the opportunity to voice my support for our HVO its most appreciated.

We object to approval of this project at least until a proper environmental impact assessment for Australia has been done and, in any case, it goes against the IPCC and IEA advice to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celcius - see attached submission. We have also written to the Commonwealth Environment Minister on this issue, with recommendations as to how the EIA Guidelines could be improved to correctly assess the impact of global heating as a result of greenhouse gas, particularly methane, emissions.

I object to this continuation proposal as we have exceeded our carbon budget already. We must be investing in drawdown projects if we are to live on a naturally life sustaining planet. God knows what the alternative looks like. Please make the required effort to understand the universality of the impacts of climate change and do your best to implement the alternatives to burning coal. To help I have added the link to Dr Penny Sackett's Expert Report regarding the Greenhouse Gas and Climate Implications of the Proposed Mt Pleasant Optimisation Project, July 2022 ( I was unable to attach ). Sadly, HVO is of an even larger total GHG outcome.
On the ground, nearby residents will experience greater issues with noise and air pollution as a consequence of the intensified activity, more vehicles and blasting events.
https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/resources/pac/media/files/pac/projects/2022/05/mt-pleasant-optimisation-project-ssd-10418/email-and-postal-public-submissions/dams-heg/attachment-a--sackett-report-climate-change-impacts_redacted.pdf

HVO has been a great contributor to Hunter Valley’s economy , providing steady employment to the region and essential resources that’s been benefiting countries all over the world . My partner , Andrew Longmire, have been with the company for over 10 years and remains loyal to the organisation.

HVO supports the local community. I would like to see HVO continue to support local jobs.

I wish to strongly oppose the HVO North Continuation Project. It is totally untenable to be expanding/ continuing any further coal mining operations if Australia is to play it's part in meeting our Paris Agreement obligations and cut emissions as agreed. The proposal from Glencore and Yancoal would lead to the emission of a further 1.2B tons of carbon into the atmosphere. The extraction from deeper seams will result in voids which will become contaminated super saline lakes and further negatively impact the hugely degraded Hunter environment. As the largest by far of 8 projected coal mining proposals in NSW our government has a duty of care to future generations to reject this proposal. As an retired teacher and grandmother to 2 teenage boys I am appalled that our governments instrumentalities would consider approving the project. In addition Glencore has been found guilty of bribery and is currently under investigation by ASIC so ethical considerations as well as future climate impact must be considered.
Australia has signed a Global Methane pledge to cut fugitive emissions by 30% by 2030. This project seeks to triple Scope 1 emissions, damage aboriginal cultural values, further destroy ecological communities and extend the life of the mine from 2025 until 2050.

The needs to be a resounding no to this project!

I personally support the project for the following reasons:
- HVO is a significant contributor to the Hunter Valley and NSW ecomony. HVO is one of the largest coal mines in the region, employing 1500 full time employees. The refusal of this project, forcing the closure of HVO in 2025 will have an irreversible impact on the Upper Hunter economy. This now has greater significance following the recent refusal of the Glendell North Project and BHPs recent announcement to close Mt Artur North in 2030.
- HVO & its Joint Venture Owners, Glenore and Yancoal support the transition to renewable energy. However this transition will take time to occur and there will likely be a strong global demand for coal until 2050. The refusal of the HVO Continuation Project will have no positive impact on global emissions. As long as there is a demand for coal, it will continue to be mined across the globe. The NSW Coal Mining Industry has a reputation as being a leader in the business, particularly in relation to environmental controls and health and safety performance. Who better to continue service the demand for coal than the best in the world.
- Extensive consultation for the project identified strong support from the local communities directly impacted by the proposal. Whilst there was some concern around ongoing dust and noise impacts, the majority of residences in Jerry Plains and Mason Dieu are generally supportive of HVO and the continuation of mining until 2050.
Regards
Dave

I live and work in the community and see the benefits for all.

HVO Continuation Project
I write to advise the NSW Government of my support for Hunter Valley Operations recently submitted Development Application for the Continuation Project that covers HVO North and HVO South.

I am an employee of Hunter Valley Operations. The mine is a significant employer in the Hunter Valley and contributes financially to the State of NSW via payroll tax contributions, mineral royalties and mining lease rents and levies. It would be a significant blow to both State Government revenue and Federal Government income tax revenue if the mine were to cease operations in the near future.

The NSW and Australian Federal Government have clear sighted long term plans to transition our country to a renewable energy base. To facilitate this important change we need stable income and a strong economy to fund this transition and train people for a new economy. Approval of the HVO Continuation Project ensures the income to state and federal governments from this mine are maintained and government can plan and fund the transition to a renewable economy in the immediate future.

As noted, we as an organization support the continuation of Hunter Valley Operations (HVO).
From a business perspective we have formed a strong partnership in design and engineering towards the water management on the site and for future development of the mine. Naturally this relationship has and does provide a sound financial base in our company.
To that end, this foundation also provides sound employment and engagement with not only internal Pump Tech Australia staff, but a much broader group of persons and firms engaged through our involvement with Hunter Valley Operations.

From a mining / water management perspective, we as a company are engaged with present and future planning of water movement and management on the mine. This engagement is direct business on a weekly level.
Such significant involvement has lead us to see HVO firmly committed to minimizing all impacts from mining to the community, environment and its people.
I am constantly astounded at the lengths that are gone too in every effort to ensure work and activities are conducted in a safe manner for all stakeholders and the environment.
HVO like so many other mines operates a very sound risk based approach to its operations. Like all business, risk is there and the mark of good business is how this is mitigated. HVO does this very well.
Compliance and mitigation of risk and adverse events to the environment and community are top of mind at HVO.

Personally, the opportunity that Hunter Valley Operations has afforded my company is profound. Our relationship spans years of service and our company and I have always been made to welcome and valued to this operation. Within HVO, some of the people have become close friends. Sadly I cannot say that about all past engagements.
Support of the continuation of Hunter Valley Operation is vital, not only does this mine provide sound economic value to me, my firm, my people and the greater community and NSW, it provides a sense of purpose in work and business, something that should never be down-played,
Hunter Valley Operations is more than a "mine", it is a place of opportunity. Opportunity that if embraced can provide the backbone of sound business and independent persons, not relying on others for assistance.

Please, should you wish to understand more, we are only to happy to support Hunter Valley Operations

Sincerely

Graeme McCutcheon
Company Director - Pump Tech Australia

Support

I support HVO to continue operation’s.as it will support local families and businesses into the future.

This supports Singleton & Muswellbrook businesses and the coal industry future which Australia is long to be prepared to not utilise

I Clinton Yates support the hvo open cut coal continuation project. I have been working at hvo for the past 8yrs as a contractor and hope to continue to work there into the near future. I have a young family that live locally at singleton and hvo has always been a strong supporter of our local community.

Self is full time employment at HVO as a contractor and sees that it is a good investment for children’s careers path

The Project represents the continuation of a existing coal mining operation with a long history in an already established mining precinct. The Project will provide a significant opportunity for NSW and the local area in the form of around 1500 ongoing jobs plus 600 temporary jobs during construction, ongoing royalties and taxes and ongoing support for local business. The importance of this Project, particularly to the local area, should not be underestimated with many local families relying on HVO either directly or indirectly.
The Project will result in improved road network outcomes along with improvements to the final landform including a reduction in the total number of final voids along with many other Project benefits.
A comprehensive environmental, social and economics assessment has been completed and has found that the Project can mitigate any residual impacts, is justified, and represents a net benefit to the local region and to NSW. On this basis the Project should be approved.

I object to Glencore and the HVO Continuation Project primarily because of the impact that coal mining has on the environment. The cost of increasing greenhouse gas emissions and consequential global warming from the further extraction and burning of coal simply cannot be borne any longer.
The application to extend the life of the existing operation is promoted as optimising resource recovery predominantly by extracting coal from deeper seams, yet it is also acknowledged that almost 400 hectares of native vegetation would be cleared. The precious remnant Hunter Valley woodland and the habitat it affords is irreplaceable. The Endangered Ecological Communities cannot be offset. And even if the coal really was to be extracted largely from deeper seams, the interference with the aquifers and underground waters should not be even countenanced in our uncertain future of the changing climate. The impacts of both droughts and flooding in the Hunter Valley will be exacerbated by disturbance to our already grossly destablised landform and ecosystem functions.
Please regard this as an objection to both the HVO North and South Continuation project applications. The globe and global community cannot afford the extraction of an additional 400 Mt of run-of-mine (ROM) coal. I ask for the decision to be made in the public interest rather than for short term private corporate gain.

I support project

I support the continuation of Hvo mine as it supports the locals and give many family's jobs, closure would be a catastrophe and would ruin most lives as it is such a large workforce

See attached submission