Mine planned for Central West NSW
Public comment is being sought on a mine planned 17km southeast of Dunedoo in New South Wales’ Central West.
The open cut coal mine is predicted to be capable of producing up to 20 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal (raw unprocessed coal including minerals and contaminants) per year for 21 years.
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Construction of the mine is forecast to start in mid-2013, with a construction workforce of between 350 and 550 people.
Mine operations will then start in 2015, initially with 170 workers, 300 people from 2016 to 2017, and then growing to 570 workers after 2025.
The NSW Government owned body developing the mine, Cobbora Holding Company (CHC) have pointed to a 28km rail spur line and a 26km water pipeline as part of the necessary infrastructure underpinning the project.
In April, CHC action chief executive officer, Steve Ireland, announced in April that they “will draw as many employees from the local region as possible, supporting them with on-the-job training, targeted external training, apprenticeships and cadetships."
CHC has current secured a partnership with a nearby TAFE to provide training to locals.
“Our aim is to minimise the impact on existing local trades and their skilled labour pool and provide opportunities for school-leavers to remain in the local area," Mr Ireland said.
The Cobbora Coal Project has been on display since Friday with the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure and will remain so until 16th November 2012.