Register your support for HVO’s Continuation Project
Sign our Continuation Project Letter of Support today to keep our local jobs, local suppliers and the Hunter’s economic future strong
Make a submission to the Independent Planning Commission
Have your say on the HVO Continuation Project to help protect jobs and economic resilience in the Hunter
Register your support for HVO's Continuation Project
Sign our Continuation Project Letter of Support today to keep our local jobs, local suppliers and the Hunter’s economic future strong
Continuation Project
The HVO Continuation Project will support local jobs, the local economy and community by extending the life of Hunter Valley Operations up to 2045.
Current update
Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) is continuing to progress its proposed HVO Continuation Project.
In August 2025, HVO submitted its Continuation Project Amendment Report to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. HVO is seeking the relevant approvals, at both a State and Federal level, for the amended project.
The amended project has been prepared in response to NSW Government request for more information and reflects significant changes to the proposed mine plan largely centered around reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The HVOCP Amendment Report is currently on public exhibition.
Have your say before September 25.
We‘re proposing to extend the life of HVO North Mine from 2026 until 2045 and HVO South Mine from 2030 until 2042.
Design conceptual mine plan
Refine mine plans. Complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Public exhibition of the EIS
Respond to any agency requests for information. Exhibition of draft EPBC Act Public Environment Reports
Finalise Public Environment Reports for submission to the Federal Government
Federal Government assessment and determination
Lodge Scoping Report with NSW Dept of Planning. Undertake social and environmental studies
Lodge EIS with NSW Dept of Planning
Review EIS submissions. Prepare and lodge Submissions Report and Amendment Report with NSW Dept of Planning
NSW Dept of Planning referral to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC)
NSW IPC assessment and determination
Design conceptual mine plan
Lodge Scoping Report with NSW Dept of Planning. Undertake social and environmental studies
Refine mine plans. Complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Lodge EIS with NSW Dept of Planning
Public exhibition of the EIS
Review EIS submissions. Prepare and lodge Submissions Report and Amendment Report with NSW Dept of Planning
Respond to any agency requests for information. Prepare and submit EPBC Act referrals
NSW Dept of Planning recommendation to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC)
NSW IPC assessment and determination
Undertake studies and prepare Public Environment Report for public exhibition and Federal Government review
Federal Government assessment and determination
Community Involvement every step of the way
Current update
THERE IS A NSW STATE GOVERNMENT AND AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROCESS TO APPROVAL
NSW Government
In August 2025, HVO submitted its Continuation Project Amendment Report to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. HVO is seeking the relevant approvals, at both a State and Federal level, for the amended project.
The amended project has been prepared in response to NSW Government request for more information and reflects significant changes to the proposed mine plan largely centered around reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In June 2026 the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure completed its whole of Government assessment and has referred the Project to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for determination.
Australian Federal
Government
Government
Draft Public Environmental Reports (PERs) were placed on Public Exhibition from 5 May to 17 June 2026. Finalised PERs will be prepared for the Project and submitted to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for assessment.
The Federal Minister for the Environment (or Delegate) will make a determination on the Project.
Key Facts
This is not a new mine. Coal has been mined onsite for more than 70 years.
Our high-quality coal is in demand by other countries to meet short to medium term energy needs.
There’ll be little change to the scale or intensity of mining and no increase to approved annual production rates.
Over the last 4 years, HVO has contributed $6.9 billion to the economy, including $3.8 billion spent on goods and services from 750 suppliers.
Continuation Project Background
We’re proposing to extend the life of HVO North Mine from 2026 to 2045 and HVO South Mine from 2030 to 2042. This will allow us to continue to be a significant social and economic anchor to the Upper Hunter and provide benefits the NSW economy. Over the last 4 years, HVO has contributed $6.9 billion to the economy, including $3.8 billion spent on goods and services from 750 suppliers.
This is not a new mine. Coal has been mined onsite for more than 75 years.
There’ll be little change to the scale or intensity of mining and no increase to approved annual production rates.
A realignment of Lemington Road and a new bridge to replace the flood prone Moses Crossing will give road users a faster, safer and more reliable route in wet weather.
Improved water management infrastructure with upgrades to Parnells Dam, Lake James, and new flood protection levees and clean water drainage systems.
Relocation of some electricity and telecommunication infrastructure and upgrade and extension to some mine processing and train loading facilities to continue mining efficiently and responsibly.
The latest natural landform design principles applied to provide an improved final landform.
If approved, the Continuation Project will provide
Ongoing employment opportunities provided for around 1500 people plus 600 temporary construction jobs during infrastructure upgrades.
Continued benefits to businesses from HVO buying goods and services. HVO works with about 800 suppliers.
Continued support for communities and infrastructure through taxes, royalties, and other government payments that help build schools, roads and hospitals.
Continued community support through HVO community grants, sponsorships and charity funding.
Benefits
Continuing mining at our existing site brings many benefits to local people, businesses, charities and the community.
1500 ongoing jobs + 600 temporary jobs.
Safer, time saving, road and new bridge.
Continued support for businesses.
Improved final rehabilitation.
Continued Govt royalties and taxes.
Improved water management.
Continued charity and community support.
Final voids ↓ from 4 to 2
HVO provides a significant social and economic anchor to the Upper Hunter and benefits the NSW economy. Over the last 4 years, HVO has contributed $6.9 billion to the economy, including $3.8 billion spent on goods and services from 750 suppliers.
Ongoing employment opportunities for around 1500 people plus 600 temporary construction jobs during infrastructure upgrades.
A realignment of Lemington Road and a new bridge to replace the flood prone Moses Crossing will give road users a faster, safer and more reliable route in wet weather.
Continued benefit to businesses from HVO buying goods and services. HVO works with about 800 suppliers.
The latest design principles will be applied to improve the final landform to provide a more natural result.
Continued support for communities and infrastructure through taxes, royalties, and other government payments that help build schools, roads and hospitals.
Improved water management infrastructure with upgrades to Parnells Dam, Lake James, and new flood protection levees and clean water drainage systems.
Continued community support through HVO community grants, sponsorships and charity funding.
Latest News on Continuation Project
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is proposed?
Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) is seeking approval to extend the life of its two Hunter Valley mines – HVO North and HVO South – to continue to produce high quality thermal coal and metallurgical coal that is in demand on world markets.
Under the proposal, HVO North will continue to 2045 and HVO South to 2042. There will be little change to the scale or intensity of mining and no increase to approved annual production rates.
How will HVO’s continuation benefit local people and the region?
Over the last 4 years, HVO has contributed $6.9 billion to the economy, including $3.8 billion spent on goods and services from 750 suppliers. By continuing mining HVO will be able to:
• provide around 1500 ongoing local employment opportunities and 600 temporary jobs while upgrading infrastructure
• continue to support suppliers and businesses, investing more than $1 billion annually
• support community groups and charities through its community grants, charity partnerships and fundraising, workplace giving and sponsorship programs
• support governments to provide hospitals, schools, roads and other community infrastructure through taxes and royalties.
When do the current approvals run out?
HVO North is approved to operate until the end of 2026. HVO South is approved to operate until 2030.
Are you increasing the annual amount of coal extracted beyond what is currently approved?
No. The annual production rate will not increase above current approved rates.
We are proposing a limit to the maximum annual production for the HVO Complex of 26 Mtpa, reduced from the current theoretical maximum production of 42 Mtpa (or 35 Mtpa with the proposed production limit for HVO South).
How does HVO mine coal currently? Will this change?
HVO’s open cut mines produce high quality thermal coal and metallurgical coal predominately using truck and shovel mining methods. Coal is processed at onsite coal preparations plant, and generally transported via rail to the Port of Newcastle.
There will be no real change to the way we undertake mining aside from continual improvements to efficiency and minimising community and environmental impacts.
What infrastructure will be upgraded? Why is this needed?
To continue to operate with increased efficiency, we will need to upgrade some existing mine infrastructure areas, coal preparations plant and rail load out facilities. We propose to realign a section of Lemington Road along with some power and telecommunication lines.
Who approves the project and when will the decision be made?
The Project requires both NSW and Federal approvals, and the timing of any decision rests with those government processes.
In June 2026, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure completed its whole-of-government assessment and referred the Project to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for determination.
Draft Public Environmental Reports (PERs) were placed on public exhibition from 5 May to 17 June 2026. Finalised PERs will be prepared and submitted to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for assessment. The Federal Minister for the Environment, or their delegate, will then make a final determination on the Project.
Have you consulted the community on this proposal already and what are people saying – does the project have support?
We have consulted the community and agencies extensively over several years during scoping, design and the preparation of the EIS and amended Project. We are thankful for their feedback which has been incorporated into the final design and impact minimisation plans.
Following the exhibition of our amended Project period we received over 1,300 submissions, of which 91% were in support.
Who has done your studies and are they independent?
Independent consultancy firm EMM coordinated environmental and technical studies, and development of the EIS and our amended Project. EMM is highly experienced in this type of work.
The studies have looked at impacts, including cumulative impacts, on a range of issues including noise, air quality, greenhouse gas, water, biodiversity, heritage, traffic, and visual amenity. The studies are detailed in the EIS and Amendment Reports.