PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The New South Wales government has signed off on diversified miner Glencore’s rehabilitation of 76 ha of mined land at the Ulan coal mine complex.
Glencore said in a statement on Friday that the rehabilitation had met all closure criteria and objectives set by the Department of Planning and Environment, as well as the New South Wales Resources Regulator.
“The certification covers two former opencut mining areas that now comprise 57 ha of red iron bark and grey box forest and 79 ha of native woodland,” said Ulan Coal’s environment and community manager Lucy Stuart.
“Our detailed monitoring programmes have identified the presence of eight threatened species within these areas, including the Painted Honeyeater and Glossy Black Cockatoo, which is a fantastic result.”
Glencore's Ulan coal mine complex is one of New South Wales’ longest-running coal mining operations and produces thermal coal for export. It comprises two underground mining operations - Ulan Underground and Ulan West operations, which employ 650 people and last year produced more than 70-million tonnes of saleable coal. Last year Ulan coal mine contributed A$7.3-billion to the economy, including A$349-million spend on goods and services with over 920 suppliers.