NSW Coal miner still waiting for government approval

THE DURALIE Coal Mine is still waiting for the NSW government to clarify whether it can discharge waste waster in Mammy Johnson’s River under its current licence conditions.

Duralie Coal applied to the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) in August 2008 for permission to discharge up to 500 million litres of waste mine water into the river over a two year period.

The NSW Department of Planning says it is still unsure of the status of the mine’s consent conditions relating to reverine discharge.

Mammy Johnson’s River flows directly into the Karuah River near Stroud, which is a major source of drinking water.

The Greens are calling on the Environment Minister to reject the application when NSW parliament resumes later in October 2008.

The group claims releasing mining water directly into the river will threaten the water supply for communities from the central coast to Port Stephens.