Hunter Valley Operations coal mine expansion faces public hearing in NSW

The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission is conducting a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine, a joint Yancoal‑Glencore project in the Hunter Valley. If approved, the extension would make HVO the largest coal mine in NSW history and is projected to generate about 809 million tonnes of greenhouse‑gas emissions over its life, roughly seven times the state’s annual emissions.

Opposition groups argue the expansion would add climate‑related pollution both locally and abroad, citing a recent Court of Appeal decision that required the commission to consider overseas emissions when evaluating the Mount Pleasant mine. Supporters, including the Mining and Energy Union, say the project secures jobs for roughly 1,500 workers and provides economic stability as other mines close. The NSW Net Zero Commission has warned that such coal expansions conflict with the state’s legislated climate targets, yet the Minns government recently approved its 11th coal project in the state.

The hearings, extended to three days with about 80 speakers, will assess these competing economic and environmental arguments before a decision is made on the licence extension to 2045.