Wollongong Coal set to recommence operations at Wongawilli Colliery

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Image credit: wollongongcoal.com.au

Australian miner Wollongong Coal has been granted approval by the New South Wales Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) to recommence operations at the Wongawilli Colliery.

Image credit: wollongongcoal.com.au
Image credit: wollongongcoal.com.au

“After carefully reviewing the conditions of the PAC’s approval, Wollongong Coal is pleased to announce that it will proceed with recommencing mining operations at Wongawilli,” Operations Manager Rhys Brett said in a media statement.

“Wongawilli Colliery is an important asset for the company and a key part of our long-term strategy or exporting high-quality coking coal for the production of steel and generating local employment opportunities.”

He said PAC’s approval would allow mining and miners to return to Wongawilli after operations were placed on care and maintenance in 2014.

Adertisement

“The approval will allow mining activities previously approved in 201 to continue for another five years, and will create up to 110 jobs for Illawarra miners and generate up to $19 million in royalties to the NSW Government,” Mr Brett added.

“We will now begin preliminary planning and discussions with key stakeholders in the expectation that operations at Wongawilli will recommence in early 2016.”

According to him, Wollongong Coal has appointed Delta SBD to oversee the recommencement at Wongawilli and to provide technical expertise, personnel and equipment services at the mine.

“The arrangements with Delta are for an interim period of two years as Wollongong Coal focuses on future approvals and longer-term management and workplace arrangements at Wongawilli,” Mr Brett said.

“Similar arrangements exist at numerous resource sector operations and will allow Wollongong Coal to benefit from Delta’s expertise.”