Plans developed by the former owners of the Integra Mine Complex – Vale to modify their biodiversity offsets have been referred to the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) for determination.
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PAC will hold a public meeting in Singleton on Friday December 11, at the Singleton Youth Venue staring at 11:30AM.
In 2014 Vale submitted a proposal to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to modify their operations that would prevent what is called the sterilisation of coal reserves valued at $6.2billion.
That proposal called the Integra Mine Complex Modification 4 states the modification relates solely to alterations to the approved biodiversity offset strategy (BOS) for the complex.
The sterilisation of the coal reserves found in existing BOS areas at the mine complex would have a significant economic impact according to the environment impact assessment prepared by the company.
Under the existing approvals the Integra complex has six BOAs covering 575.3 hectares under the modification proposals the BOAs will be increased by 40ha due to the inclusion of 216ha at Appletree Flat near Jerrys Plains.
The land at Apple Tree Flat is privately owned and surrounded by the Wollemi National Park.
Approximately 50ha on the Integra site now part of the BOA would be released from that designation and be able to be mined in the future therefore preventing the sterilisation of the significant coal reserves.
In August this year Vale sold Integra to a joint venture comprising the Hunter Valley based Bloomfield Group and Glencore. Under the terms of the sale Bloomfield would take ownership of the open cut mine at the complex (Camberwell mine) and Glencore the underground mine (Glennies Creek).
The Department of Planning told the Argus Vale and Bloomfield would represent the proponents at the PAC meeting.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal at the meeting must register with PAC by 1:00pm Wednesday, December 9. www.pac.nsw.gov.au