1.2.3.1.11 Mandalong Southern Extension

Mandalong is an underground longwall coal mine, operated by Centennial Mandalong Pty Ltd (GSS Environmental, 2013, p. i). The company has sought approval for the Mandalong Southern Extension Project to extend its existing underground mining operations into the Southern Extension Area and utilise existing and proposed new surface infrastructure within EL 6317. The project seeks to extract up to 6 Mt/year of ROM coal from the West Wallarah and Wallarah-Great Northern coal seams, extending the life of mine. Although consent has not been finalised, the draft consent document states that mining operations may continue until the end of 2040 (NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 2015, p. 5). An EIS has been submitted and the project is under review (GSS Environmental, 2013, p. iii). The EIS reported that groundwater inflows into the underground workings are predicted to increase from 3 ML/day (in 2018) to 5.9 ML/day (in 2035 to 2036) (GSS Environmental, 2013, p. iv). The EIS also indicated no significant adverse impacts on existing catchment boundaries and watercourse alignments. A draft development consent was prepared in January 2015, which is currently under review by the NSW PAC, as at 26 March 2015 (NSW Planning Assessment Commission, 2015).