The company is seeking approval to extend the life of the Drayton mine just outside of Muswellbrook in New South Wales, which has been in operation for more than 30 years but is due to run out of coal reserves next year.

The Drayton South extension would allow the Drayton operation to continue and retain employment for 500 local people.

Anglo American chief Mark Cutifani rallied the existing Drayton workers while visiting the mine as part of his national tour, thanking them for their efforts while awaiting the planning decision and for keeping costs down in a tough financial environment.

The Planning Assessment Commission said it would deliver its recommendation on Drayton South early next month.

"If we can get Drayton South up we'll continue to invest, we'll continue to support the guys," ABC online quoted Cutifani as saying.

"We're certainly working to that timeframe, we've not been told there would be any delays.

"I know the government expects to be in that same timeframe, so I think we're all working off the same game plan and our fingers are crossed.

"Where we are today, we don't need to take it to the board, we're fully supporting the team and if we can get approval we'll move forward."

He added that the company had done everything it could to ensure the mine didn’t affect neighbouring Hunter Valley thoroughbred studs, echoing calls from the NSW Minerals Council last week for peace between the two warring industries.

Cutifani said changes to the Drayton South mine plan reflected Anglo American’s commitment to coexist with the Coolmore and Darley studs.

"The fact that we're some kilometres away in terms of the main activity areas says to me that we've done everything we can to make sure we don't impinge on thoroughbred operations,” he said.

"We're on the other side of the ridgeline so you won't be able to see it visibly.

"We do have to make sure that we minimise dust and other impacts, we appreciate those things and that's why we've made so many amendments to the mine plan."