FAQs

Q. What is the mine's current and projected levels of production?

The Chain Valley Mine currently produces between 450,000 and 1,100,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) with the variability governed by several factors including demand and mining conditions (geology etc). The Environmental Assessment (EA) refers to an average over the last few years as a position going forward of 750,000 tpa. The EA nominates a maximum output of 1,200,000 tpa to cover off the possibility of a particularly good year for production to ensure Chain Valley does not exceed its EA approved quota. The Transport Report and all other sections of the EA have been developed using the 1,200,000 tpa figure to illustrate the maximum impact.

Q. Where is the coal from Chain Valley Mine sent?

The EA has assumed that in an average year, product coal sales are distributed approximately as follows - 55% to export through Port Waratah, 30% to Vales Point Power Station and the remaining 15% split between smaller local customers. Please note that the distribution split varies (sometimes significantly) and this variation is expected to continue in the future.

Q. What are the total current and projected truck movements?

Total truck movements (out loaded and back empty = two movements) along Rutleys Road at the future output level of 1.2mtpa are estimated at 270 average movements per day. Given that the coal is moved on an intermittent basis, a maximum number of truck movements per day has been generated and this totals 540 movements. Current trucking times are between 5.30am and 6.30pm (13 hours) Monday to Friday. The transport report makes an assumption that truck numbers are 50% higher in peak hours (due to delays and to assess maximum impact) so the maximum hourly number of truck movements on Rutleys Road would increase by 28, bringing the total to 62 in peak times.

Q. Who was responsible for putting together the transport study?

Independent staff from AECOM who specialise in Transport and Traffic assessments, developed the Transport Report for the EA. The team of three engineers who conducted the assessment have in excess of 30 years transport engineering experience between them. Peabody (including LakeCoal) people did not work on the Transport Report.

Q. What did the transport study reveal about the intersection between Rutleys Road and Pacific Highway?

The Rutleys Road and Pacific Highway intersection performance is currently performing at 90% (ie 10% spare) in peak hours. This is without the ‘ additional ’ Chain Valley Coal Project traffic which would add 10 truck movements per hour in each direction. It is anticipated that by 2031, spare capacity will increase to 20% as the intersection would have been modified to cover the increase in background traffic growth without increased project truck numbers. The proposed intersection changes include the introduction of a stop line for west bound traffic on the Pacific Highway to enable easier merging from Rutleys Road.

Q. Will seagrass be protected?

Although Lake Coal cannot guarantee the protection of seagrasses in the lease area due to the complex interaction of industries and users around the lake and potential unknown challenges including climate change - a subsidence exclusion barrrier - designed to prevent subsidence impacts from damaging seagrasses or reducing suitable seagrass habitat will be implemented.

Q. What is the application for?

LakeCoal has made an application to consolidate and replace existing approvals for the Chain Valley coal mine, effectively securing employment for the operation’s 120 employees. It will extend the life of the mine by 21 years to 2030.

Q. What does the application include?

The Chain Valley Coal Project will enable the continuation of underground mining operations at the Chain Valley mine within the area covered by existing mining leases. It includes a proposal to increase production from 0.75 million tonnes per year up to 1.2 million tonnes per year. Existing surface and underground facilities would be used to service the Project, with some new facilities and modifications to existing infrastructure required to support ongoing mining activities and the proposed increase in mine production. The Coal Handling and Preparation Plant, for example, will be upgraded to increase throughput to approximately 600 tonnes per hour.

Q. Who has made the application?

LakeCoal Pty Ltd. The Chain Valley mine has been in operation since August 1960.

Q. Who is responsible for approvals?

LakeCoal is seeking project approval from the Minister for Planning under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Q. Where are the planned mining areas?

The planned mining areas are located in the Swansea-North Entrance Mine Subsidence District. This includes parts of Gwandalan, Summerland Point and Chain Valley Bay. Mining will also occur under parts of Lake Macquarie. The specific area is outlined in the map found in the library section of this website.

Q. What does the Project mean for local jobs?

Operational staff and on-site contractors are expected to remain stable at approximately 120 people. Approval of the Project will not only secure the future of the mine, but employment for those who work there.

Q. How can I view a copy of the Project Application?

A copy of the Project Application will be made publicly available on the Department of Planning website (www.planning.nsw.gov.au) under “Major Project Assessments – Register of Major Projects” after the issue of Environmental Assessment Requirements by the Director-General of the Department of Planning.

Q. Why is Chain Valley expanding the operation?

Expansion will help secure the future of the Chain Valley operations and continue making a contribution to employment, the local, state and national economy, and the local community.

Q. What areas have been mined previously?

From the early 1960s to 1997 much of the application area, including Gwandalan and Summerland Point, was mined beneath in the Wallarah Seam.

Q. Will the community be kept informed during the process?

Chain Valley has a firm commitment to keep landholders and the community informed of the process as it develops. Information will be made available through the media and information days held in the local area, as well as other channels such as this website.

Q. What community & stakeholder consultation will take place?

In the near future an independent chairperson will be appointed to convene a Stakeholder Reference Group. Interested residents and landholders will be invited to submit an expression of interest to join the Group.

Q. How will the operation control subsidence?

Coal is extracted from the mine using the bord-and-pillar method, which is flexible in design to maximise resource recovery and to control surface subsidence in relevant areas. A mine plan for the Chain Valley Mine will be developed which will take all built infrastructure, environmental and heritage features into account.

Q. What impact will the Project have on water supply?

Water management infrastructure such as sumps, pipes, pipelines and storages would be extended as the underground mining area expands. The mine uses fresh water supplied by Wyong Shire Council for ablutions, fire control and dust suppression. A Water Management Plan was implemented in 2006 and the mine is constantly looking for new ways to reduce the use of fresh water.

Q. How will coal be transported from the mine?

Product coal will continue to be transported by truck to the PWCS Carrington Coal Terminal and to domestic customers, including the neighbouring Vales Point Power Station.
In comparison to existing peak truck movements per day, there won’t be a significant increase, but there will an increase in the number of days on which truck movements occur.

6d971c1634bba29834c089df9abc83a438f78fea