(Glencore plc)
Newy 87.8 FM – The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved the HVO Continuation Project, extending coal mining at Hunter Valley Operations to 2045 at HVO North and 2042 at HVO South.
The extension covers HVO North from 2026 to 2045 and HVO South from 2030 to 2042, involving approximately 430 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal across both mines.
HVO North sits at Liddell, Lemington and Howick, with HVO South at Warkworth, in the Singleton and Muswellbrook districts. The operation is a joint venture between Yancoal (51 per cent) and Glencore (49 per cent), producing thermal and semi-soft steelmaking coal for export.
The approval followed a six-year assessment during which the mine plan was amended, largely — according to the proponent — to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission held public hearings at Branxton Community Hall on 16 and 17 July 2026 and online on 22 July, and met separately with Singleton Council and Muswellbrook Shire Council on 8 July 2026.
On the company's own figures, the project supports around 1,500 ongoing jobs, plus 600 temporary construction jobs during infrastructure upgrades, and about 800 suppliers.
The project still requires Federal EPBC approval by the end of December 2026 for operations to continue.
Join the discussion on Facebook.
