News release

Coal Exploration Licence - Little Pond

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill said an exploration licence for possible development of a surface coal mine near Little Pond in the Sydney coalfield will be issued to Brogan Mining Company Limited of Sydney Mines. It will be a three-year renewable license.

Proposals for the licence, which were assessed by minerals branch staff of the Department of Natural Resources, were also received from Cape Crushing and from Coastal Construction, both of North Sydney.

"If the exploration leads to development of a new surface mine, this would effectively address local concerns about security and safety at the site, which has not been reclaimed since mining was conducted there in the 1950's," said Mr. MacAskill.

Any proposal for a surface mine will be subject to all the necessary regulatory and environmental approvals.

A call for proposals for the exploration licence was issued by Natural Resources late in November.