Fact sheets
Dendrobium fact sheets
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.
Our 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 within the existing Dendrobium mining lease. Earlier this year the Independent Planning Commission made a determination on the Project.
The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project has since been declared State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) by the NSW Government enabling Illawarra Metallurgical Coal to submit a new Project Application for consideration.
A revised mine plan has been developed for the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project, considering the important feedback provided by the Independent Planning Commission. It would extend the mine life by about 10 years.
The Project would create more than 100 construction jobs and secure ongoing employment of more than 650 jobs, with 90 per cent of employees residing in the Illawarra region.
We believe that with careful planning, mining can co-exist with the NSW Government’s objectives for the long-term security of our water catchment and the sustainable development of the State’s resources.
85YR
history in the illawarra
1,800
direct employees
90%
employees living locally
A$180M
spent locally in fy21
The Benefits
Dendrobium began operating in 2002 as an underground longwall mine and remains an essential supplier to Australian steelmakers, including the Port Kembla Steelworks and Whyalla Steelworks.
The revised mine plan would result in significantly reduced environment and cultural heritage impacts, while still providing a contribution to the local and state economies through the continued operations of Dendrobium Mine, Port Kembla Steelworks and other dependent operations to the Wollongong and NSW economies.
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 650 people working at Dendrobium mine, create an additional 100 jobs during the construction phase, contribute A$230 million in rates, royalties and taxes, and deliver a net economic benefit of A$6.4 billion to NSW.
650
ongoing full-time jobs
100
jobs during construction
A$6.4B
NET ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO NSW
A$230M
local net economic benefit
Environment
A revised mine plan has been developed for the Dendrobium Mine Extension Project, considering the important feedback provided by the Independent Planning Commission.
Steps taken to reduce the environmental and cultural heritage impacts includes:
- Protecting the water catchment by reducing the longwall mining area by 60 per cent, avoiding key streams and swamps
- Protecting key dams and rivers through mine setbacks of 400 metres from key rivers and streams and at least 1,000 metres from dam walls
- Significantly reducing predicted surface water loss impacts by approximately 60 per cent
- Avoiding longwall mining under identified high significance Aboriginal Heritage sites.
We believe that with careful planning, mining can co-exist with the NSW Government’s objectives for the long-term security of our water catchment and the sustainable development of the State’s resources.
+1000
Water Monitoring Devices in catchment areas
+3000
Water Samples Collected since 2005
60%
reduction in the proposed mine area avoiding key streams and swamps
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 over 90 years ago, was the ready access to rich seams of metallurgical coal and a deep-water port.
The Port Kembla Steelworks 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 90 per cent is sourced locally.
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 to providing indirect offsets for predicted surface water take as a result of the Project. The funding would be paid to the NSW Government and used for water infrastructure projects that would result in a net gain to Metropolitan water supplies
Next steps
The Dendrobium Mine Extension Project has been determined State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) by the NSW Government. We are required to follow a comprehensive environmental approval process to ensure that we minimise our impacts while delivering a benefit to the Illawarra region and NSW.
The SSI approvals process typically requires an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) to be issued by the proponent and an opportunity for community and stakeholder input via submissions. The Minister for Planning is responsible for the approval outcome.
Typical steps in the SSI approval process are outlined below.
We have commenced preparing the EIS and will keep our stakeholders informed of progress.
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
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.
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]
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