Mount Pleasant mine granted life extension and increased extraction rate

The New South Wales Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure has approved a life extension for MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant mine. The Mod 8 modification extends the permitted mining timeframe by six years, moving the end date from December 22, 2026, to December 31, 2032.

In addition to the extension, the approval increases the permitted Run of Mine (ROM) coal extraction rate from 10.5 Mtpa to 12.5 Mtpa. The department determined the modification is in the public interest, citing benefits such as continued employment for approximately 575 full-time equivalent workers, as well as royalty payments and taxes for the region and state.

The decision followed a public exhibition period that received 817 unique submissions, consisting of 621 in support and 190 objections. The department stated that community and environmental impacts can be managed or offset to acceptable levels in accordance with government standards.