Indicoal Mining Aust Pty Ltd, Langloh Coal Mine, Hamilton

Public Comment Invited Until 22 November 2013

Indicoal Mining Australia Pty Ltd has proposed to construct and operate an export coal mine. The mine would have a production level of 400,000 tonnes per annum initially, rising to 910,000 tonnes per annum after two years. Expected mine life is eight years. The proposed mine would be located off the Lyell Highway approximately 4 km west of Hamilton, Tasmania. Crushing of coal would be carried out on site. The mine would be open cut with adjacent overburden stockpiles. Details of the proposal are available in the Notice of Intent (NOI) which can be viewed below.

The proponent intends to lodge a permit application with Central Highlands Council under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. The proposal is to be subject to an environmental impact assessment by the Board of the EPA(the Board) in accordance with the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPC Act).

The proponent has referred the proposal to the Australian Government for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Australian Government has determined that the proposal is a controlled action (EPBC reference number 2013/6769) on the grounds that it is likely to have a significant impact on the following matters of national significance:

Read the full details on the EPA Tas website here

• Cornish Manne, in Comments: This is an extension of an existing mine which has been operating on and off for 50 to 100 years and at one stage was the lifeblood of the town of Hamilton. It has been an underground operation – the entrance was on the Brasher farm – and at the moment there is an open cut mine there with overburden on a farm owned by the Whelan family. The locals have seen it as a good employment opportunity for the district. Some use the coal for home heating.

• TPEHN Spokesperson Isla MacGregor: No new coal mine at Hamilton