South32's Dendrobium coal mine extension rejected on environmental concerns

South32 Ltd. said Feb. 5 that it is reviewing the findings of the New South Wales Government's Independent Planning Commission that recommended against the approval of the Dendrobium Next Domain project within the Illawarra coal operations.

South32 sought planning approval to extend the life of the Dendrobium mine until the end of 2048 and extract an additional 78 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal from two new areas near Avon and Cordeaux Dams for domestic use and exports.

However, the commission said that significant concerns were raised about the proposed mine design, subsidence, ground and surface water impacts, biodiversity and upland swamps, Aboriginal cultural heritage and greenhouse gas emissions. The commission noted that the proposed mine design poses long-term and irreversible damage to Greater Sydney and to Illawarra's drinking water catchment.

The commission said that it has "determined to refuse the state significant development application, finding the risks of adverse impacts on the environment are high, and that those impacts are not appropriately manageable and are likely to be irreversible."

South32 said that it will continue to engage with key stakeholders, including the New South Wales government, relevant agencies and the community, over the project.