Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has given the go-ahead for the expansion of the Springvale longwall mining operation west of Sydney.
Mr Burke said the Springvale Mine north of Lithgow had submitted for federal assessment its proposal to extend its longwall mining, over concerns about the impact on temperate highland peat swamps and on the "sandstone ecological community".
He said 30 strict conditions had been placed on the longwall mining of 330 hectares, including comprehensive monitoring to ensure groundwater quality, and potential impacts on the swamps and sandstone.
"While I have considered the social and economic implications of this project, my focus has been on protecting environmental matters of national significance through strict conditions to manage any potential environmental impacts," Mr Burke said in a statement.
9 News
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