New South Wales' Independent Planning Commission refused to allow development for Korea Electric Power Corp.'s Bylong thermal coal project in the Australian state, citing concerns about long-lasting environmental, agricultural and heritage impacts.
The company had sought permission for the mine to extract up to 120 million tonnes over a 25-year life for the thermal coal export market.
The commission found that the mine's predicted impacts on air quality and biodiversity were either acceptable or manageable but raised significant concerns about other environmental effects such as those on groundwater, which will last long after the mine is decommissioned.
The application was referred to the commission by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in October 2018 because of significant community opposition.
In September 2017, the state government said it was investigating a Korea Electric Power subsidiary, which had potential to affect the Bylong project.
