The Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) North and South Open Cut Coal Continuation Projects is the single largest application to mine new coal in the history of NSW.
The project is moving through the assessment phase by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), and a final decision has been delayed until 30 September.
New submissions specifically relating to new material only must be received via the Commission’s website by 11:59pm AEST on Wednesday 9 September 2026. https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/hvo-north-and-south-open-cut-coal-continuation-projects
The IPC sent a letter to Glencore asking them what would be the reasonable extension timeline they would require to transition their workforce and support local communities and business partners to do the same. HVO has refused to consider a shorter mine life. See Lock the Gate’s media release
This monster will produce 430 million tonnes of coal over the next two decades if it is allowed to proceed. We hope the Independent Planning Commission has to listen to climate scientists and other experts – see below.
Submissions
Submissions have closed and are on the website here.
Public Hearings
16 July – Day 1 Public Hearing at Branxton Community Hall
17 July – Day 2 Public Hearing at Branxton Community Hall
Wed 22 July – Online hearing from 10am.
All hearings on the Commission’s YouTube channel.
Raise Your Voice Against Coal Mine Expansions
A peaceful rally was held in Sydney on Saturday 8 August. Speakers spoke about the more about 19 coal mine expansion projects in NSW, and their lived experience of climate pollution impacts. A community choir sang protest songs.
Other News
Raw material produced from a coal mine.
Revealed: No ‘mine exit strategy’ for HVO workers
Workers at the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine and the wider communities of Singleton and Muswellbrook have been left without a mine exit strategy to manage the social and economic consequences of the mine closure. The mine operator Glencore and the NSW Department of Planning quietly scrapped a condition requiring the company to develop a mine extract strategy. (Lock the Gate)