The mining lease is one of the two tenements under a purchase agreement between OGL and Zedemar Holdings.

OGL has taken legal advice on the matter and will support Zedemar Holdings and the Crown to defend the appeal.

“Recommissioning the Ebenezer mine will create jobs and economic growth within the community,” OGL chairman Jack Tan said.

“In the current climate, this is a critical consideration that appears to have been overlooked by a small minority.”

OGL is planning to produce 1 million tonnes per annum of run of mine coal at Ebenezer by 2013 after raising capital for the project.

The residents stated they opposed mining because of possible noise disturbance and general environmental impacts the mine could impose.

The mine originally opened in 1988 and operated until early 2003, producing more than 20.5Mt of thermal coal for the domestic and export market.

Mining lease 4712, which governs the Ebenezer mine area, was recently renewed to allow mining to recommence.

Among the applicants appealing the mine’s redevelopment was prominent businessman Graham Turner.