Bloomfield Group seeks extension for Rix's Creek coal mine until 2049

The Bloomfield Group has submitted an application to extend mining operations at the Rix's Creek North mine, located near Singleton, for an additional 14 years. If approved, the Rix's Creek North Continuation Project would allow mining to continue from 2035 until the end of 2049.

This application marks the first coal mine extension to undergo public exhibition following a High Court decision regarding the Mount Pleasant Optimisation Project. That ruling established that planning authorities must consider ways to minimize scope 3 emissions—greenhouse gases generated from coal burned overseas—when evaluating mine expansions.

The project's Environmental Impact Statement asserts that the mine's incremental contribution to climate change is negligible and will not materially influence climate conditions in the Hunter Valley. The public has 29 days to submit feedback on the proposal.