16,000 SUPPORTERS FOR HVO CONTINUATION PROJECT

More than 16,000 people have signed a Letter of Support for Hunter Valley Operations’ Continuation Project, prior to a decision from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) on the mine’s future.

The IPC is currently considering HVO’s application to continue mining until 2045, with a decision expected on Wednesday (30 September).

HVO has been working on approval for this project for six years.General Manager Dave Foster said support for the project throughout the Hunter region had been overwhelming.

“When the project was on public exhibition recently, more than 60% of people, mostly locals, made submissions in favour of the project. And more than 16,000 also have taken the time to sign the Letter of Support,” he said.

“This sends a very strong message that this mine matters to people, and that the community wants the stability and support HVO offers the Hunter Valley and the NSW economy.

“We have a local workforce of 1,500 people who are skilled and dedicated to making a difference in the Hunter region. Support for this project is support for every one of those people, their families and the businesses who supply our operation.”

For more than 70 years HVO has been a source of community strength and economic stability in the Hunter. Over the past four years, HVO has directly contributed $6.9 billion to the economy, spending over $3.8 billion on goods and services from 750 Australian-based businesses.

Mr Foster said the Continuation Project was important because high-quality HVO coal would continue to be in demand from Australia’s key trading partners across Asia as they continued to urbanise and industrialise.

“The economic benefits from taxes and royalties generated by continuing operations at HVO will help support the Hunter as it transitions to a low carbon future,” he said.

Mr Foster said HVO had responded to NSW Government feedback and significantly amended the original project proposal to reduce emissions, production rates and adjust timelines. Collectively, these changes resulted in:
– A 30% reduction in diesel emissions over the life of the project
– A 43% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1) over the life of the project
– A 55% reduction in fugitive greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the project

For further information please contact:
HVO
Kim Sweetnam (SOLVD Agency)
m: 0412 162 237
e: kims@solvdagency.com.au