The mine – which was the subject of a hoax media announcement by environmentalists last week that saw more than $300 million wiped off its market capitalisation – is now the focus of global attention as it awaits final approval from federal environment minister Tony Burke.

Environmental groups and farmers in Gunnedah Basin in NSW have formed an alliance with Lock The Gate to prevent Maules Creek being federally approved after the NSW planning assessment commission gave the project the green light in October.

In a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, Planning Department acting deputy director-general Chris Wilson states: “Rod Campbell’s claim that the economic analysis prepared for the applicant of the Maules Creek mine was simply ‘accepted without scrutiny’ by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is untrue.

“We did not blindly accept this report, which was presented as part of the mine’s application.”

Wilson said both the department and independent experts at the Planning Assessment Commission agreed that, on balance, the project was in the broad public interest and should proceed subject to strict conditions.

“This conclusion was reached after carefully considering not only economic factors but all other relevant issues such as noise, biodiversity, water and air quality impacts,” he said.

At the time of the PAC approval in October, Whitehaven managing director Tony Haggarty said an extensive range of stakeholders had input into the process, including local community representatives and interest groups, local government and various NSW government departments.

Last week’s hoax press release by anti-coal campaigner Jonathan Moylan was sent on ANZ letterhead falsely stating that the bank had withdrawn $1.2 billion of credit for the Maules Creek project.

Protest group Front Line Action on Coal subsequently released a statement saying it would continue its campaign on the ANZ until it shifted its funding to “ethical investments”

“ANZ customers have the right to know that their money is being invested in a project which will force farmers off their land and destroy 1360 hectares of critically endangered koala habitat,” Moylan said.