The expansion project is targeting an increased rate of 4.7 million tonnes per annum run of mine over a five-year mine life.
Of the eight longwall panels planned, PAC tentatively gave permission for Wollongong to mine the first 400m of one of them in November on the grounds of saving jobs.
However, the commission did complain that the “employment justification” was wearing thin as company gained its third “incremental modification” using this approach.
The PAC hearing, scheduled for February 3 at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, will include special attention to potential impacts to upland swamps and water resources from the project’s anticipated mine subsidence.
Planning Minister Pru Goward has told PAC to complete its review by March 20.
