Centennial put the Newstan colliery, 9.6km north of Myuna, on care and maintenance in August at a cost of 148 jobs.

However, the coal company also raised the prospect of redeploying retrenched workers through plans to expand the Myuna colliery by 1 million tonnes per annum to 3Mtpa ROM and correspondingly lift the workforce from 210 to 300.

While the environmental assessment for this plan was only lodged with the state’s planning department in November, the government is already facing grassroots pressure to approve it.

“Several mineworkers have written in support of the plan, saying the mine has a good track record in protecting the environment, and plays a vital role in energy production, supplying coal to Eraring power station,” ABC reported.

“Centennial says there will be no change to the approved life of the mine and no environmental consequences for the Lake beyond those already approved, but expects a small increase in traffic.”

In the EA, Centennial said transferring Newstan workers to Myuna would reduce the impact of job losses and the associated costs that might otherwise be imposed on local and regional communities and all levels of government.