Modification 6 - underground mining extension

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As a local resident, working within the Mid-Western Regional LGA, I see the significant benefit Ulan Coal Mine provides to the local community in terms of employment, significant contribution to the local and broader economy and through Community investment. I also am aware that Ulan Coal Mine has a sound and proven history in terms of adequately managing environmental and social impacts in the local area and contributes significantly to the local Community. The modification will provide additional benefit to the local and broader community for a longer period of time and as such I support the modification being approved.

As a resident of the Mudgee region I am in support of the Ulan Coal extension application for the economic benefit that the project will bring to the area with limited impacts to the environment.
The extension will not result in a significant change to the current operational activities, with only minor vegetation clearing required for infrastructure. However, the extension of the project will greatly benefit the local region ensuring continuity of employment, providing economic benefits for local businesses.

Moolarben Coalmine as a very large operation on the headwaters of the Goulburn River, a major tributary in the Hunter River catchment, this proposed extension will have a huge impact on the groundwater and the health of the river system and all downstream of it. No amount of measures will protect this natural resource.
That the mine is owned and operated by Yancoal, a Chinese owned multinational where the earnings of this Australian resource leave our shores and being exported, we contribute to the world’s pollution and with no home benefit. In this age where we it is critical not to be burning fossil fuels, you are continuing an industry that’s contributing to the planets destruction. This makes absolutely no sense!
The mining complex covers over 80 sq. kms of sensitive environments with significant cultural heritage values. The cumulative impact of current approvals has caused a major loss of threatened species habitat and First Nations culture, sandstone cliff removal and collapse, and permanent loss of irreplaceable water sources.
The proposed expansion on exhibition intrudes further into the upper Moolarben valley, an area rich in biodiversity, ringed by natural springs and bounded on three sides by the outstanding Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve that straddles the Great Dividing Range.

Key impacts that this will cause

1. Climate Change impacts:
The proposal is to produce an additional 40 million tonnes of coal and increase greenhouse gas emissions by 86.59 Mt CO2-e – this is unacceptable!! and adds to our world problem of unstable and catastrophic weather events. How many floods and fires have to be endured before action is taken to reduce these catastrophic events.

2. First Nations heritage impacts:
A total of 130 first nations cultural heritage sites were identified within or overlapping the subject area including shelters with artefacts (one with possible burial), and axe grinding groove site
3. Water impacts:
• The permanent loss of potable, good quality (low salinity) groundwater from springs that provide fresh flows to creeks and the Goulburn River
• A predicted loss of baseflows to the Goulburn River between 180 – 225 million litres /year and 600 million litres in wet years. This will impact on river health and downstream water users, including Goulburn River National Park.
• A 200m buffer zone to Moolarben and Murdering Creeks (aimed at protecting them from mining) includes mine haul roads and other infrastructure impacting crucial riparian vegetation.
4. Biodiversity impacts:
• The extended mining operations will come within 100m of the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve threatening important conservation values especially native bird and Koala habitat.
• Noise, dust and lights from the 24 hour operations will disrupt the many identified threatened and endangered birds, mammals and bat species that live in and around the valley.
• The project would result in the clearing of 624.18 ha native vegetation including
477.75 ha of Box-Gum Woodland Critically Endangered Ecological Communities. This is irreplaceable and cannot be adequately offset.
• Ecosystem habitat loss for 22 threatened fauna species including: Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia), Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri)
5. Agricultural impacts:
• Loss of food production potential on large areas of prime agricultural land that previously supported many farming families. This land should be assessed as Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land (BSAL) and assessed through the Gateway process. Good quality agricultural land that supplies food and fibre for generations to come, should be viewed as a much greater valued resource than some coal reserves that provide a very short-term benefit, not to the Australian people, and had to our world problem of unstable and catastrophic weather events.

Mining is an important economic industry for the Mid-Western Regional council area. Ulan Coal currently employ more than 650 people and this extension would supply employment for an additional 2 years of operations with little change to the current operations. Ulan Coal are committed to being a good neighbour and working with the community in relation to their concerns.

Any extension to mining is wrong. We need to look at transitions away from coal and not extraction of more. It’s creating a false economy ounce it extracted its gone. It’s killing the planet not renewing the planet health. Please don’t allow extension. People’s mental health is being affected and their physical health is declining due to pollution, night work and this constant battle between doing the right thing and making a living. It has to stop now. No more please. Communities can’t settle and relax due to your greed keeping them on high alert. I don’t think you care

Submission: Ulan Modification 6 - underground mining extension MP08_184 Mod6
My submission objecting to the expansion of the Ulan Modification 6 – underground mining extension
I am objecting to any increase in coal mining in the Mudgee area due to the impacts it will have on the environment.
I recently visited the Mudgee area with friends and we were taken to The Drip for a walk along the Goulburn River.
It is a most picturesque area to get away from city stress, the river was flowing, due to recent floods, there was bushland thriving in the conditions and birdlife to see.
However on the drive to get to this site I remember seeing along the road the devastation to the environment of the existing mines. Open cut areas that were partly hidden from view by tree plantings only emphasized the damage that had been wrought on the countryside. Mining infrastructure and traffic were also very evident in the area.

So for all the following reasons there should be no more expansion of coal mining in this area.
1. The modification aims to extend underground longwall panels to extract a further 25 million tonnes of thermal coal and extend the mine life by two years to 2035. Despite Glencore’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, this proposal will continue to increase global carbon emissions.
2. An additional area of 993.2 ha will be impacted by mine subsidence including cumulative impact on significant sandstone cliff lines.
3. An additional 48 sites with First Nations cultural values will be impacted. The cumulative loss of cultural heritage across the Ulan Mine is highly significant.
4. Loss of 24.7 ha of woodland vegetation including 9.5 ha of critically endangered White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland ecological community providing habitat for numerous threatened fauna and flora species
5. Removal and disturbance of habitat for critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot; endangered Koala and Long-eared Pied Bat and numerous other threatened fauna species.
6. The iconic groundwater dependent ecosystem on the Goulburn River known as ‘The Drip’ is incorrectly described with no recognition of the connection to the regional groundwater system.
7. Cumulative groundwater drawdown will cause loss of additional base flows to both the Goulburn River to the east and the Talbragar River to the west for up to 3,000 years.
8. The proposed new workings will provide continuation access to a large area of coal to the north of current operations.
9. It is imperative that coal mining cease at the Ulan operation no later than 2033 to allow for the necessary global decarbonisation for the management of climate extremes.

I object to the Ulan underground mining extension on the following points:
1. The modification aims to extend underground longwall panels to extract a further 25 million tonnes of thermal coal and extend the mine life by two years to 2035. Regardless of Glencore’s admirable commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, this proposal will continue to increase global carbon emissions especially given recent reserach showing offsets are not having the necessary impacts.
2. An additional 48 sites with First Nations cultural values will be impacted. The cumulative loss of cultural heritage across the Ulan Mine is highly significant not only for First Nations peoples but also Australia's national heritage.
3. Loss of 24.7 ha of woodland vegetation including 9.5 ha of critically endangered White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland ecological community providing habitat for numerous threatened fauna and flora species
5.
4. Removal and disturbance of habitat for critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot; endangered Koala and Long-eared Pied Bat and numerous other threatened fauna species
5. Cumulative groundwater drawdown will cause loss of additional base flows to both the Goulburn River to the east and the Talbragar River to the west for up to an estimated 3,000 years.
6. The proposed new workings will provide continuation access to a large area of coal to the north of current operations. In other words, this will not be the only extension request and additional impacts will continue to be felt unless this is stopped.
7. It is imperative that coal mining cease at the Ulan operation no later than 2033 to allow for the necessary global decarbonisation for the management of climate extremes.

I am writing a submission in regards to the OBJECTION of the underground mining extension at Ulan.
First most, this is NOT supporting a change for global warming. Australia must be easing the mining of coal and should be supporting clean energy for the effects of global warming to start to see a difference from humans, rather than making the matter worse for all living beings on this planet. This is NOT an investment in the people's future. This is a destruction to all human kind and should not go ahead. We should be investing in cleaner energy, cleaner waterways so that future generations have a home to live and breathe.
Further reasons are as followed.
1. The modification aims to extend underground longwall panels to extract a further 25 million tonnes of thermal coal and extend the mine life by two years to 2035. Despite Glencore’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, this proposal will continue to increase global carbon emissions. This does not support Australia making a difference in cutting emissions for a better future.
2. An additional area of 993.2 ha will be impacted by mine subsidence including cumulative impact on significant sandstone cliff lines. These sandstone cliffs are fragile and cannot be replaced once destroyed. This is home to so many ecosystems and the beauty of our these lands were formed millions of years ago.
3. An additional 48 sites with First Nations cultural values will be impacted. The cumulative loss of cultural heritage across the Ulan Mine is highly significant. This is disrespectful to the First Nations People and their home. We do not go around destroying churches or places of worship so this should also be seen as respect in these sacred sites.
4. Loss of 24.7 ha of woodland vegetation including 9.5 ha of critically endangered White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland ecological community providing habitat for numerous threatened fauna and flora species. We cannot continue to destroy the wildlife and plants around us that help humans stay alive. Without these precious eco systems, ALL living beings suffer,
5. Removal and disturbance of habitat for critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot; endangered Koala and Long-eared Pied Bat and numerous other threatened fauna species. We should be protecting these species NOT destroying their habitats. They do not just find another home, as their species have lived in thie climates and eco systems for thousands of years.
6. The iconic groundwater dependent ecosystem on the Goulburn River known as ‘The Drip’ is incorrectly described with no recognition of the connection to the regional groundwater system. This is absolutely vital to all eco systems, the groundwater is a source of life when drought comes. WE should not be interfering with groundwater that will be destroyed if this continues.
7. Cumulative groundwater drawdown will cause loss of additional base flows to both the Goulburn River to the east and the Talbragar River to the west for up to 3,000 years.
8. The proposed new workings will provide continuation access to a large area of coal to the north of current operations.
9. It is imperative that coal mining cease at the Ulan operation no later than 2033 to allow for the necessary global decarbonisation for the management of climate extremes.
As a local who has grown up in this area and is now back here with my own family, I feel ashamed and embarrassed by the lack of environmental awareness and support for cutting emissions this town has. We should be leading the way in cleaner energy, especially when being now voted highly as a tourist town. This place nestled in the hills has more to offer than destroying the planet.

The modification will allow an additional two years of well paid employment in the mid-western region which includes the training of young people and apprentices. Additionally there will be another two years of community grants and investment made by Ulan Coal in the local area. This will be completed without an increase in annual production limits, meaning no additional trains/trucks etc.

The project will extend the mine life by two years therefore providing employment for over 600 people and support to the local area and suppliers. Without mining in the Mid-Western Area, there are limited employment opportunities for future generations. There will be no increase in production during this period. Although a move to a low carbon economy is likely, we are not there yet and will require coal production over the next 20 years to support this transition.

41 Spenser St
Iluka 2466
14th December2022
NSW Planning Department

Re Ulan Coal project
I object in the strongest possible terms to this project which will create 64.97 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Having been a resident of Lismore for 16 years I am intimately aware of the extraordinary suffering of our community because of the floods in February of this year. It is incontrovertible that this flood, 2.4 metres higher than any previously recorded was in large part due to extreme weather as a result of greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. This is not to forget for a moment the terrible impacts of record floods on the people of Central and Western NSW.
In addition to enormous human cost of these floods, including lives lost there is the enormous economic cost of the floods, currently conservatively estimated at $5 billion. Then of course there is the staggering environmental cost in terms of fish kills, habitat destruction and loss of species.
It is inconceivable that a government with the interests of its citizens and the environment at heart would even consider allowing a coal project of this nature to proceed.
Ironically this proposed Ulan mine is located within the NSW Government’s renewable energy zone for the Central West.
There of course will be other negative impacts of the proposed development including the depletion of the groundwater in the area, the destruction of koala habitat, and reduced future opportunities for agriculture.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Clough

Please see attachment

The Ulan Coalmine should not be be granted an extension due to its negative impacts on climate, on the habitats of threatened species and to First Nations heritage sites. The mine should cease operation in 2033 as planned or earlier. I strongly object to the extension.

* The modification aims to extend underground longwall panels to extract a further 25 million tonnes of thermal coal and extend the mine life by two years to 2035. Despite Glencore’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, this proposal will continue to increase global carbon emissions.
* An additional area of almost 1000 hectares will be impacted by mine subsidence including cumulative impact on significant sandstone cliff lines.
* An additional 48 sites with First Nations cultural values will be impacted. The cumulative loss of cultural heritage across the Ulan Mine is highly significant.
* Loss of 24.7 ha of woodland vegetation including 9.5 ha of critically endangered White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland ecological community providing habitat for numerous threatened fauna and flora species
* Removal and disturbance of habitat for critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot; endangered Koala and Long-eared Pied Bat and numerous other threatened fauna species.
* The iconic groundwater dependent ecosystem on the Goulburn River known as ‘The Drip’ is incorrectly described with no recognition of the connection to the regional groundwater system.
* Cumulative groundwater drawdown will cause loss of additional base flows to both the Goulburn River to the east and the Talbragar River to the west for up to 3,000 years.
* The proposed new workings will provide continuation access to a large area of coal to the north of current operations.
* It is imperative that coal mining cease at the Ulan operation no later than 2033 to allow for the necessary global decarbonisation for the management of climate extremes.

1. State of Significance Status is both grossly overused, and used as a Government tool to enable large scale destruction of NSW country and natural areas.

2. Such proposals are gifted to big business and presented to the Minister for Planning to tick off. It is as good as winning the lottery twice.

3. My past very recent experience in the Snowy Mountains region, with Snowy Special Activity Precinct, Snowy 2.0 and related Transgrid overhead lines provide for the destruction and desecration of large tracks of valuable, rare and iconic Kosciuszko National Park. The KNP catchments are being further damaged, despite their contributing to 30% of the Murray Darling Basin inflows.

4. This Ulan underground mining extension, will also deplete, damage and destroy the catchments of the Goulburn River. You well know the damage, so I don't need to spell it out, including the riverine areas and overall water resource, for the surrounding natural areas, towns and the rural sector.

5. Ulan Coal, is owned by Glencore, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Switzerland Glencore company, one of the largest miners in the world.

6. An examination of the Australian Taxation Office site shows the 'legalised' allowable deductions and calculations for the Ministerial Resource Rent Tax https://www.ato.gov.au/business/minerals-resource-rent-tax/. There is no doubt the $2.9 billion claimed royalty and government taxes has been dexteriously minimised.

7. Furthermore offsetting has long been discredited and offers no real compensation for the loss of country and habitat from coal mining activities. The only means of protecting this delicate environment is 'avoidance'.

8. It is recognised that this area is full of springs, in fact the catchment to the Goulburn River is one large spring. So little acknowledgement or cognisance of the importance of the whole area to the Aboriginal people and especially of that fragile area 'The Drip' has occurred in the past or is proposed now. The fracturing of any part of this sandstone landscape through further mining use of explosives, will be a loss forever to future generations.

8. I have been visiting the area for 40+ years. I have a daughter and family living in the Hunter, a major urban and industrial growth area, and am aware that the Goulburn River is a major tributary of the Hunter catchment. The protection and future health of catchments is of paramount importance.

9. Finally I do hope action thru the EPBC Act, will allow the Federal Government to disallow this extension proposal.

A new extension of the Ulan already extensive coal mining activity is beyond belief.
Another 25 million tons of thermal coal to be mined when we are supposed to be decarbonising! The government has to stop this.
Climate change is stuffing up our way of life. The Swiss owned company has already ravaged the beautiful landscape close to The Drip. Flora and fauna destroyed, 1st nations cultural heritage trashed, people’s livelihood let go.
But the main reason why this project shouldn’t go ahead is WATER. Coal mining uses a lot of water so if we want The Drip to remain an oasis, we can’t accept this proposal because the source of the water feeding The Drip comes from the regional groundwater system, in particular from the Ulan coal mining area . Water matters so much in this part of the world. Just think of the next big drought just round the corner. It will come, probably even more ferociously.
Our government must act responsibly and stop this proposal from going ahead.

I object to the Ulan extension. There is no future in coal.
Glencore should not be allowed to expand their operations.
Glencore has proven that they are not prepared to modify their arrogant behaviour towards their neighbours, the wider community, the environment, threatened and endangered species, Aboriginal Heritage and other water users.
There is anecdotal, although reliable, evidence from neighbours that noise from mining operations regularly exceeds acceptable levels and monitoring takes place half heartedly with every excuse given for the reasons for the excessive noise other than it being the fault of the company. This is not responsible management.
It is the responsibility of the DPE to ensure mining companies abide by the rules and conditions placed on them or are prevented from expanding or continuing to mine.

Please find submission attached

I am writing to vehemently oppose the Ulan Coalmine Mod 6 (MP08_0184-Mod-6)

There is no longer any question that coal has no future. Any “benefits” will be short term. The destruction additional coal mining brings is much more costly and has long term impacts.


It is clear who will lose:

The world will lose
Coal exploration, mining, exporting and burning, creates more greenhouse gases, worse fires, the very real impacts of climate change we have had to face globally and locally. The modification aims to extend underground longwall panels to extract a further 25 million tonnes of thermal coal and extend the mine life by two years to 2035. Despite Glencore’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, this proposal will continue to increase global carbon emissions.

Aboriginal cultural heritage sites will be lost
An additional 48 sites with First Nations cultural values will be impacted. The cumulative loss of cultural heritage across the Ulan Mine is highly significant.

Critically endangered ecological communities will disappear
Loss of 24.7 ha of woodland vegetation including 9.5 ha of critically endangered White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland ecological community providing habitat for numerous threatened fauna and flora species.

Endangered species will lose their habitat
This proposal would lead to the removal and disturbance of habitat for critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot; endangered Koala and Long-eared Pied Bat and numerous other threatened fauna species.

More stunning landscapes would be lost
There is already a huge impact from the Ulan Mine. This proposal would detrimentally impact an additional area of 993.2 ha by mine subsidence including cumulative impact on significant sandstone cliff lines.

Waterways will be negatively impacted and potentially destroyed
The iconic groundwater dependent ecosystem on the Goulburn River known as ‘The Drip’ is incorrectly described with no recognition of the connection to the regional groundwater system.

Cumulative groundwater drawdown will cause loss of additional base flows to both the Goulburn River to the east and the Talbragar River to the west for up to 3,000 years.

Water is one of our most precious resources that cannot be easily replaced… but proposals like this easily destroy. It’s short term thinking.

Please reject this proposal