HVO application for brief extension to approval to operate on public exhibition

The NSW Government has placed Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) application for an 18-month extension of its existing approval to operate on public exhibition.  

The mine’s current approval to operate runs out in June 2025. The government is already assessing HVO’s application to continue mining longer term but has requested more detailed information.  

HVO general manager Dave Foster said briefly extending the current approval until December 2026 will give some certainty to its workforce, suppliers and community partners. Mr Foster said it will give the NSW and Federal Governments time to finish assessing HVO’s longer term proposal.  

“We are doing additional modelling and mine planning to provide the extra information the government wants to assess our longer term proposal,” Mr Foster said. 

“HVO began seeking approval for that proposal almost five years ago. Unfortunately, the assessment is taking longer than expected. There is uncertainty around the NSW Government’s approach to greenhouse gas emissions assessments, including offsets and use of the National Safeguard Mechanism. 

He said there were many social and economic benefits from HVO’s continuation and many impacts from its early closure.  

“Our workforce of almost 1,500 local people is 10 per cent of all Hunter mineworkers. We work with almost 800 suppliers. Many are local and some rely on us for their existence. Our direct economic contribution to NSW last year, including payments to government to provide social infrastructure and services was $2 billion.” 

Mr Foster is grateful for the broad community support for HVO’s continuation. Of the 1060 submissions to the Environmental Impact Statement on HVO’s longer term proposal, 91% were supportive and 97% of submissions from the Hunter region were supportive. 

“HVO is a successful and responsible miner. There has been mining on our site for more than 70 years. Our local team works hard to bring economic contribution  and give back to our community.” 

“There is strong demand for coal from some of Australia’s key trading and security partners while the world transitions to a lower carbon future.” 

People and organisations can have their say on the 18 month extension of HVO’s current approval through the NSW Planning Portal. Submissions close December 11. For more information, including links to the Planning Portal, visit www.hvo.com.au/continuation.