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Whitehaven Coal's Narrabri Underground mine is currently set to
close in 2031.
(Supplied: Whitehaven Coal)
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Key Points
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The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is considering Whitehaven Coal's application to extend the life of its Narrabri underground mine by 13 years to 2044.
A public hearing into the project began today and heard evidence from the Department of Planning that the mine's fugitive emissions, which are generated when gases leak during mining, could increase significantly.
"The mine is considered to be a relatively gassy mine," executive director Clay Preshaw said.
Nic Clyde, the NSW community coordinator with the Lock the Gate Alliance, said in light of that the project would be out of step with stated policy goals of the NSW government to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
"This project would, if it were operating today, emit more Scope 1 greenhouse gas pollution than any other thermal coal mine in Australia," he said.
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An aerial of the mine near Narrabri in the Namoi Valley.
(Supplied: North West Protection Advocacy)
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Mr Smirnov said the project would only exacerbate this.
"[The International Energy Agency] thinks that we should target reductions of 75 per cent of [methane] emissions by 2030 … and we haven't really even started going in this direction," he said.Economic benefits disputed
Whitehaven Coal has argued its product is among the cleanest in the world, and in many cases is exported for use in high efficiency, low emissions power stations.
The company also said if the extension is approved, the mine would continue to support more than 500 jobs, and the region's business community is also optimistic about the benefits it could bring.
Justin Smith from the Narrabri Industrial Network said there are many companies which have benefited from the opportunities the coal industry has created in the region.
"The extension will only see these businesses grow and give the region a more diverse sustainability," Mr Smith said.
 Sally Hunter argues the strength of the thermal coal industry may
change between now and when the project extension would begin.
(ABC News)
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But Boggabri landholder Sally Hunter argued the approval of the extension would give "false hope" about the sustainability of the coal industry, and questioned why it was being considered nine years ahead of when it would come into effect.
"This is like me booking my child into university before he even starts grade three," she said.Ms Hunter said there was "no justification" for the project to go before a public hearing where rights of appeal were restricted after a decision was made.
"We were so desperate for a better outcome for our region than these previous processes have delivered," Ms Hunter said.
The second and final hearing day will take place on Friday.
Links
- (AU SMH) Can Court Cases, Boardroom Takeovers And Protests Save The Planet?
- (AU Crikey) Exposed: Morrison’s Plan To Lift Emissions Under The Cover Of Net Zero
- Despite 'significant' emissions, NSW coal mine extension a step closer to approval
- 'It puts our future in doubt': Climate change teens, farmers blast minister after coal mine extension approval
- Miner's 'counterintuitive' water modelling in the spotlight
- (AU) Investors Are Trying To Shut Down Fossil Fuel Companies From The Inside — This Is What They're Doing
- (AU) We Live In A Time Of Climate Breakdown With No Moral Leadership – But We Can Take Action
- Is Corporate Australia Facing A 'Tipping Point' On Climate Change?
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