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history of development


Mt Owen Mine

Development consent was originally obtained for Mt Owen Mine in November 1991. The mine was initially approved to produce 1.4 Mt of ROM coal per annum and mining operations commenced in November 1993.

A further Development Application (DA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was lodged for the Mt Owen Mine Extension in 1993. This proposal was subject to a Commission of Inquiry (COI) and development consent was issued in July 1994, allowing the mine to produce 5.3 Mt ROM coal per annum. Development Consent was granted for the construction and operation of the rail loading facility in 1995.

In December 2004, Xstrata Mt Owen, then Hunter Valley Coal Corporation (HVCC) was granted a new Development Approval (DA 14-1-2004) for an expansion to existing approved mining operations at Mt Owen. The Approval allows for the following:

  • continuation of existing and approved mining operations at Mt Owen;
  • extension of mining operations over a 21 year mine life;
  • development of the Eastern Rail Pit;
  • development of an out of pit overburden emplacement area known as the West Dump;
  • increased Run of Mine (ROM) coal production at Mt Owen from 8 Mtpa to 10 Mtpa;
  • construction and operation of a ROM coal receival facility and haul road to enable Mt Owen Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) to receive and process ROM coal from Ravensworth East and Glendell mines;
  • modifications to the Mt Owen CHPP allowing for the increased throughput of up to 15 Mtpa ROM coal, and establishment of an additional product coal stockpile;
  • increase in the approved handling capacity of the rail loading facility and the Mt Owen rail spur to transport up to 15 Mtpa ROM coal equivalent;
  • continued disposal of tailings from the Mt Owen CHPP in voids at Ravensworth East mine;
  • associated modifications to the mine water management system; and
  • minor changes to infrastructure.

The approved expansion of Mt Owen secures Mt Owens future as a key coal producer and exporter in the region, and means continued employment for approximately 270 people for a further 21 years.

Ravensworth East Mine

(Large rear dump truck hauling overburden from the mining face)
Large rear dump truck
hauling overburden from the
mining face

The Ravensworth East Mine, formally known as Swamp Creek Mine, was previously mined by Hebden Mining Company. Mining ceased at Swamp Creek Mine in April 1991 following the completion of contracted coal supplies. Prior to its reopening, the site was under a care and maintenance contract.

Development Consent for Ravensworth East Mine was obtained in March 2000, approving the Mine to produce up to 4Mt of ROM coal per annum. Mining re-commenced at Ravensworth East in 2000.

Ravensworth East Mine was purchased by Xstrata Coal in 2002 and was integrated into the Mt Owen Complex in 2004. On the 2 August 2005, a modification to the Ravensworth East Mine Development Consent was approved to make it consistent with the Mt Owen Mine Development Consent. This will allow Xstrata Mt Owen to streamline & consolidate the environmental management processes for the Mt Owen and Ravensworth East mines and permits the development and implementation of common:

  • Environmental Management System (EMS);
  • Environmental Management Plans and Strategies;
  • Environmental Monitoring Network;
  • Environmental Monitoring Programs;
  • Annual Environmental Management Report;
  • Environmental Audit Programs;
  • Community Consultative Committee (CCC);
  • Systems for Public Access to Information;
  • Water & Tailings Management System; and
  • Waste Management System.