The approval for longwall mining over 330 hectares had 30 conditions attached to it, including monitoring of groundwater quality and potential impacts on sandstone and swamps.

“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,” Burke said in a statement.

“In making this decision I took into consideration advice on monitoring and management arrangements from the new Interim Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Coal Mining.

“The committee supported the condition for no mining under high quality swamps, or within buffer zones, unless the proponent can demonstrate that there is a way of conducting the longwall mining with no adverse impact to the swamps.”

Centennial had applied for coal extraction using longwall mining techniques at three longwall panels at Springvale, including longwalls 415-417.

Mining of the proposed longwalls is expected to take place this year.

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said in a statement that Burke had “thumbed his nose” at the environmental concerns for the swamp and sandstone ecology surrounding the mine extension.

“No buffer zones or set of conditions imposed by Minister Burke can protect this unique and sensitive natural environment – this extension should not go ahead,” Rhiannon said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Centennial Coal told ILN that the company welcomed the decision which would ensure continuity of the mine and the employment of 355 employees.

The spokesperson described the conditions as "onerous but manageable".