HVO Continuation Project Amendment Report on public exhibition 

The public can have their say on Hunter Valley Operations’ (HVO) plans to extend its operation until 2045, after the Continuation Project Amendment Report went on exhibition last week. 

The project would provide around 1,500 ongoing jobs, with an extra 600 jobs in the construction phase, pouring billions of dollars into the Hunter Valley economy for decades. 

The project would recover additional coal resources, largely from already mined or approved areas, while maximising the use of existing infrastructure.  

General Manager David Foster said HVO initially submitted its Continuation Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for consideration by the NSW Government in 2022.  

“Following feedback from the Government and community, HVO has been working to amend the existing proposal to support the NSW Government emission reduction targets,” he said. 

“We have submitted an amendment report which makes a range of changes to the original proposal, and that report is now being exhibited by the NSW Government for public feedback.” 

The amended project:  

• reduces the mine life from 2050 to 2045  

• reduces total ROM coal production by over 220 million tonnes  

• reduces scope 1 emissions by 43%  

• reduces fugitive emissions by 55% over the life of the project  

• now has no impact to the Endangered Ecological Community Warkworth Sands Woodland  

HVO also proposes to implement measures that go beyond its Safeguard Mechanism obligations, and has committed to make additional, voluntary contributions towards the NSW emission-reduction targets.  

Mr Foster said the amendment proposal would continue a 70-year mining tradition at HVO and would inject roughly $200 million annually into the local economy through wages alone. 

“Last year HVO spent $1.2 billion with more than 800 suppliers, many of them in the Hunter,” he said 

“Also last year mining royalties and taxes totalling $276 million were paid to the state and federal governments to help to fund hospitals, police, roads and schools. 

“We’re proud to be a reliable economic anchor for the Upper Hunter. This amendment safeguards jobs for local families and will provide security for the small businesses and charities that rely on us.” 

The Continuation Project Amendment Report is currently on public exhibition on the NSW Department of Planning, Environment and Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) Major Projects website and is accessible via hvo.com.au/continuation. 

Following public exhibition of the report, a submissions report will be prepared and provided to DPHI for consideration. 

The Continuation Project Amendment Report will be on public exhibition until 25 September. To find out more or have your say, visit hvo.com.au/continuation