MOUNT THORLEY WARKWORTH CAN BE APPROVED – UNDER FIVE CONDITIONS

The Planning Assessment Commission has found the expansion of the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine, near Bulga, can be approved under five conditions.

The recommendation follows a change to the state’s mining policy in September, meaning the significance of a resource would no longer be the principle consideration of approval. In the report the commission says it “has ensured that it has given a balanced consideration to the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of the project.

The review also seeks further information from the Office of Environment and Heritage about Aboriginal stakeholders.

The mine’s owner, Rio Tinto, says the expansion’s approval is crucial to ensure it can retain 1300 jobs at the mine, however locals say if approved, the mine would come within 2.6 kilometres of the town by 2031 and impede their quality of life.

The final determination on the expansion will be made by another Planning Assessment Commission panel.