By Courtney Yeandle

ABC Upper Hunter

Topic: Coal

Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 1:49pm

Workers from the Hunter Valley Operations mine rallied outside the IPC hearing.

In short:

The Independent Planning Commission has started public hearings for a 19-year extension of the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine.

The mine employs over 1,500 people, but environmentalists say the plan would hurt emission-reduction targets.

What's next?

The IPC will make its decision in September.

Many families' livelihoods are at risk if the coal mine extension is not approved.

The IPC is holding hearings for the proposed Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project.

The project would extend the mine's operation until 2045.

Workers from the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine gathered outside the IPC hearing.

Hundreds of workers supported the extension.

The mine employs over 1,500 people and helps the economy.

The mine's economic contribution is important to the community.

The project meets all legislative requirements.

Most people who commented on the project support it.

The Department of Planning says the project is approvable.

The company has met all requirements for greenhouse gas emissions.

Greg Searles' business would be affected if the mine closes.

Greg Searles runs an equipment maintenance business.

The mine is one of his biggest customers.

Without the extension, he would have to lay off workers.

His workforce cannot easily transition to renewable energy.

Climate concern

Climate activists say the expansion would hurt emission targets.

The project would extract 429 million tonnes of coal and generate 809 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Lock the Gate held a rally outside the IPC hearing.

Georgina Woods says the emissions would worsen climate disasters.

Every tonne of CO2 would worsen global warming.

The extension would go against NSW's Climate Change Act.

Georgina Woods says the cost of keeping the mine open is too high.

The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility says the emissions would cost NSW billions.

The cost of the project's emissions is approximately $2.1 billion.

This reduces the project's benefit to NSW.

Hundreds of people attended the IPC hearing.

The IPC visited the HVO site and is collecting online submissions.

The IPC will make a decision in September.

Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 1:49pm

Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 1:54pm

See more ABC coverage.

Promotion

Practice Listening