Mount Pleasant Optimisation Project - MACH Energy

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Mount Pleasant Optimisation Project

The Optimisation Project proposes extraction of additional coal reserves within Mount Pleasant Operation Mining Leases and an increase in the rate of coal extraction without significantly increasing the total disturbance footprint. The extraction of additional Project coal reserves would be supported by the use and augmentation of existing approved infrastructure.

What does the Optimisation Project include?

The Optimisation Project would include:

mining of additional coal reserves, including lower coal seams in North Pit;
staged increase in extraction, handling and processing of run-of-mine (ROM) coal up to 21 million tonnes per annum as mining moves west, away from Muswellbrook;
increase in average operational workforce to approximately 600 people, with a peak of approximately 830 people;
giving up part of the approved disturbance area to compensate for new disturbance areas;
rail transport of up to approximately 17 million tonnes per annum of product coal to domestic and export customers;
use of innovative mine landform design to provide topographic relief and more natural exterior appearance of waste rock emplacement landforms;
development of new water management and coal reject dewatering infrastructure;
construction and operation of new ancillary infrastructure; and
continuation of the Mount Pleasant Operation through to 22 December 2048.

The Project would provide community certainty for continuation of mining in the region and Mount Pleasant Operation’s continued support for local community groups and suppliers.

Mount Pleasant Optimisation Project Community Information Sessions

The following figure illustrates the approved area to be relinquished and Project extensions in the Mount Pleasant Operation Mining Leases. The Optimisation Project mining rate would be staged so it increases as mining moves further away from Muswellbrook.

State Significant Development Proposal – EIS

To enable the continuation of the Mount Pleasant Operation past 2026 we are required to submit a State Significant Development proposal.

As part of the proposal, we have prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which includes assessments of the Optimisation Project’s potential social, economic and environmental impacts.

You can read more about the State Significant Development process on the NSW Government website.

Please visit the NSW Government Major Projects website to find information on the Optimisation Project, and associated NSW Government advice and requirements.

The Major Projects website Optimisation Project page includes the Optimisation Project EIS, which is being exhibited from 3 February 2021 to 3 March 2021. You can also download the EIS from our website using the link below.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

1. Executive Summary

2. Table of Contents

3. Section 1 – Introduction

4. Section 2 – Approved MPO

5. Section 3 – Project Description

6. Section 4 – Strategic Context

7. Section 5 – Statutory Context

8. Section 6 – Engagement

9. Section 7 – Environmental Assessment

10. Section 8 – Evaluation and Conclusion

11. Section 9 – References

12. Section 10 – Abb., Acronyms and Glossary

13. Att 1 – SEARs

14. Att 2 – Assessment Requirements

15. Att 3 – Development Appllication Area and Real Property

16. Att 4 – Land Ownership and Landholder Key

17. Att 5 – Peer Review Letters

18. Att 6 – Strategic Planning Statements and Policies

19. Att 7 – Relevant Planning Instruments and Legislation

20. Att 8 – Rehabilitation and Mine Closure Addendum

21. Att 9 – Summary of Mitigation Measures

22. Att 10 – CIV Estimate Report

23. Att 11 – Consent under Section 380AA of Mining Act

24. Att 12 – JORC (2012) Summary

25. Att 13 – Geotechnical Considerations

26. Att 14 – Copy of Public Notice

27. Appendix A – Noise and Blasting Assessment

28. Appendix B – Air Quality Assessment

29. Appendix C – Groundwater Assessment

30. Appendix D – Surface Water Assessment

31. Appendix E – BDAR

32. Appendix F – Aquatic Ecology Assessment

33. Appendix G – ACHA

34. Appendix H – Historical Heritage Assessment

35. Appendix I – Agricultural and Land Resources Assessment

36. Appendix J – Road Transport Assessment

37. Appendix K – Geochemistry Assessment

38. Appendix L – Land Contamination Assessment

39. Appendix M – Visual and Landscape Assessment

40. Appendix N – Social Impact Assessment

41. Appendix O – Economic Assessment

42. Appendix P – Environmental Risk Assessment

43. Appendix Q – Preliminary Hazard Analysis

44. Appendix R – Human Health Assessment

45. Appendix S – Greenhouse Gas Assessment

46. Cover Letter and EIS Form

Project Community Information Sessions

MACH Energy is conducting Community Information Sessions on the the Optimisation Project in February 2021. We welcome you to attend the Information Sessions (by appointment only) to ask questions about the Project and the EIS assessment process.

Location: The University of Newcastle Upper Hunter Tertiary Education Centre, Level 2, 87 Hill Street, Muswellbrook. (The 2nd Floor is accessible by stairs and lift)

Dates: Tuesday 2nd February and Tuesday 16th February

Times: 9am to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm

To meet COVID-19 requirements we will conduct these sessions by appointment only.

Please email info@machenergy.com.au phone 5517 1111 or SMS 0400 214 885 to make an appointment.

Community consultation will be undertaken in line with current NSW Health Department guidelines, which will include social distancing and increased hygiene practices.