The extension application would mean extending the life of the Wambo Coal Underground Mine, located near Warkworth, by seven years until 2039.

Wambo includes the approved South Bates Underground Mine that incorporates longwall mining in the Whybrow and Wambo Seams.

A viable coal resource in the Whybrow Seam to the northwest of the approved South Bates Underground Mine has been identified based on recent exploration results and geotechnical investigations as well as the successful mining experience in the current South Bates Underground Mine and adjacent open cut mining areas.

“On the basis of this further understanding of the available resource, WCPL [Wambo] is proposing an extension to its South Bates Underground Mine to mine additional longwall panels in the Whybrow Seam,” it said in its environmental assessment.

Underground ROM coal reserves are estimated at 143.3Mt.

The mine is currently approved to mine underground up to 9.75Mtpa of run-of-mine coal from the Whybrow, Wambo, Woodlands Hill and Arrowfield Seams.

A department spokesman said the community was being encouraged to give feedback on the Hunter Valley mine’s proposal.

He said community consultation was an important part of the planning process and anyone could provide feedback before the exhibition close date of Tuesday May 2.