Coal Mining 'on Steroids' - New Mines Under Sydney's Water Supply

Thursday, 22 May 2008 19:54

Plans for new longwall mines in Sydney's water supply catchment recently posted on the ASX website by Indian coal mining giant Gujarat NRE are among the very worst of their kind and the NSW Government must resolve to stop mining damage to river systems without delay, peak and regional environment groups said today.

“This mining scheme is a scandal. Its impacts will be devastating and it has been released
before the results of a major inquiry into longwall mining damage are reported to the
government and the community. The Iemma Government must now summon the guts to
act. The damage coal mining is causing to river systems and water resources is fast
becoming one of its greatest environmental scandals," said Jeff Angel, Director of Total
Environment Centre.

Maps and a document headed "Vision 2020: India on Steroids" reveal a mine covering
approximately 50km² including directly under the stored waters of the Cataract Dam;
longwall panels encroaching to within 500m of the dam wall, mining under the headwaters
of two major tributaries of the Cataract River and under numerous upland swamps.

Another mine, southwest of Wollongong and anticipated to be of similar intensity, will
impact upon the headwaters of the Nepean and Avon rivers, large areas of upland swamp
and the Kangaloon Aquifer. The Avon Dam also falls within the potential mining area.

"This map and the tone of the document show that the company's concern for the
environment, for a substantial portion of Sydney's drinking water, amounts to zero. To
produce this at a time when the findings of a NSW Government inquiry into damage
caused by mining are imminent, shows enormous arrogance on the part of Gujarat NRE,"
said Julie Sheppard of the Rivers SOS Alliance.

"Gujarat NRE was the only miner to keep their submission to the Southern Coalfield
Inquiry confidential and now we know why. Should these layouts prevail the Cataract's
tributaries will crack and drain, swamps will collapse and the structural integrity of the
Cataract Dam will be placed in jeopardy. There is also the question of where the coal
waste will go," said Colong Foundation Director Keith Muir.

Environment groups are also disappointed that the Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
has approved infrastructure works for mines yet to be approved.

"The NSW Government holds an inquiry into damage across the Southern Coalfield. The
inquiry hears from NSW Government agencies and community groups that the damage is
intensifying and needs to be prevented. But while everybody is awaiting the findings, the
DPI is approving infrastructure at mines which haven't yet been approved," said Mr Muir.

"Mining companies have learned to rort the approvals process. Donations to the ALP, the
appointment of a former Labor Premier to the board and the securing of infrastructure
approvals before the mine has been approved all feature in the case of Gujarat NRE,"
concluded Ms Sheppard.