Documents
Environmental Impact Statement
Overview
For 85 years, Illawarra Metallurgical Coal has produced high-quality metallurgical coal used for steelmaking, which is shipped around Australia and around the world.
The Dendrobium Mine in the Illawarra region of New South Wales is an existing underground mine, primarily producing metallurgical coal for steelmaking.
We are seeking approval for the continuation of mining activities in Dendrobium’s next two underground mining areas, within the existing Dendrobium mining lease.
The Project would maintain the current approved annual production rate of 5.2 million tonnes per annum run-of-mine while supporting the ongoing employment of 500 people, continued opportunities for reliant Illawarra businesses, and the sustained supply of high-quality metallurgical coal for steelmaking to local and international customers.
85YR
history in the illawarra
2,000
employees and contractors
90%
employees living locally
$300M
paid to local business in fy19
The Benefits
Dendrobium began operating in 2002 as an underground longwall mine and remains an essential supplier to Australian steelmakers, including BlueScope Port Kembla Steelworks and Liberty Primary Steel Whyalla Steelworks.
If approved, the Project would continue to deliver strong economic benefits for the local community, sustaining the positive contribution Illawarra Metallurgical Coal has made for 85 years.
The Project would support the continued employment of 500 people working at Dendrobium mine, create an additional 200 jobs during the construction phase, contribute A$714 million in rates, royalties and taxes, and deliver a net economic benefit of A$2.8 billion to NSW.
500
ongoing full-time jobs
200
jobs during construction
A$2.8B
NET ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO NSW
A$1.1B
local net economic benefit
Environment
A Development Application supported by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in 2019.
The EIS was developed through extensive consultation with our stakeholders and examined the environmental characteristics of the Project including ground and surface water, air quality and emissions, noise, traffic, heritage and biodiversity.
We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and understand the sensitivities of working within the Metropolitan Special Area. The proposed mine design has been developed to avoid sensitive surface features and continues our commitment not to longwall mine under dams, named watercourses and key stream features.
+1000
Water Monitoring Devices in catchment areas
+3000
Water Samples Collected since 2005
25Mt
coal left unmined to protect surface features
100YR
mining experience in local catchment areas
Metallurgical Coal
Metallurgical coal is an essential raw material used in the steelmaking process, and for 85 years Illawarra Metallurgical Coal (IMC) has supplied this critical ingredient to its customers.
Coal mining and steelmaking in the Illawarra are strongly linked. One of the primary reasons a steelworks was established at Port Kembla a little over 90 years ago, was the ready access to rich seams of metallurgical coal and a deep-water port.
The BlueScope Steelworks at Port Kembla is the largest steel production facility in Australia, and one of only two primary iron and steelmaking facilities in Australia. It consumes approximately 3 million tonnes of coal each year, of which around 60% is supplied by Illawarra Metallurgical Coal.
1928
steelmaking established at port kembla
3.0Mt
annual steel production at Port Kembla Steelworks
770
kilograms of coal used for every tonne of steel
1000
kilograms of steel contained in the average car
Water
We have committed to implement or fund works that would result in a net gain for the metropolitan water supply, to offset or replace the volume of surface water that would be impacted by subsidence from the Project.
Options include water filtration infrastructure, to treat water for industrial use; incorporation into the existing recycled water network; and investment in reducing existing network losses (i.e. pipe leaks or natural evaporation), unrelated to mining.
We are currently consulting with stakeholders on how we can best deliver this commitment.
Next Steps
In February 2020, South32 lodged the ‘Response to Submissions’, providing a comprehensive response to feedback on the Project’s Environmental Impact Statement.
A total of 775 submissions were received from government agencies, organisations and members of the public. The majority of public submissions were positive, with 81% made in support of the Project.
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will continue to consult with South32, government agencies, industry and the community while it undertakes its ‘whole of government’ assessment.
Following this, it is expected the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces will refer the Project to the Independent Planning Commission for determination.
Dendrobium Mine Extension Project, NSW Planning Process
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Important web links
NSW Government Major Projects Planning Portal
Visit Major Projects Portal to view and download the EIS or make a submission. NOTE: All online submissions must be made through the NSW Government's Major Project Planning Portal
Independent Expert Panel for Mining in the Catchment
The Independent Expert Panel has been established to provide informed expert advice on the impact of mining activities on the Greater Sydney Water Catchment Special Areas
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
The Department has an important role in assessing and determining proposals for major development in NSW to ensure the need for new jobs is balanced with the needs of the community and environment.
NSW Independent Planning Commission
The Commission operates independently of other government departments, including the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and has an important role to play in building community confidence in the decision-making processes for major development and land-use planning state-wide.
South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal Documents (e.g. DCCC Minutes)
View and download Illawarra Metallurgical Coal's environmental approvals, conditions of consent, community consultative committee meeting minutes and more.
For project enquiries, please email [email protected]
© South32 | 2020