For more than 85 years, Illawarra Metallurgical Coal has produced high-quality metallurgical coal used for steelmaking, which is shipped around Australia and around the world.
The Appin Mine in the Wollondilly region of New South Wales is an existing underground mine, primarily producing metallurgical coal. It is currently operating in the Douglas Park and Menangle areas.
An integral requirement of underground mining is adequate ventilation and mine access, to ensure a safe and efficient working environment for our people.
As Appin Mine moves further from existing surface infrastructure, we are constructing future infrastructure to support the mine which includes Ventilation Shaft No. 7, Ventilation Shaft No. 8 and mine access facilities. The infrastructure will be located at 345 Menangle Road and is known as the Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project.
Ventilation Shaft No. 7 will be a downcast shaft, drawing fresh air into the mine. It will also double as an entry point to the mine for our people.
Ventilation Shaft No. 8 will be an upcast shaft, drawing air out of the mine.
Appin Mine began operating in 1960 as an underground longwall mine and remains an essential supplier to Australian steelmakers, including BlueScope Port Kembla Steelworks and Liberty Primary Steel Whyalla Steelworks.
The new ventilation shafts and mine access facilities will ensure our people continue to work in a safe and efficient environment.
The new ventilation shafts and mine access facilities will operate under strict environmental approval conditions set by the New South Wales Government.
We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and understand the sensitivities of working nearby to residential communities. Extensive environmental assessments have been developed and approved. These assessments include noise, air quality, traffic, heritage and biodiversity.
The Project has been designed to avoid or minimise impacts on the local community where possible.
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.
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 90 per cent is sourced locally.
The Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project followed a comprehensive approvals process through the NSW State Government. We have sought a modification to our existing Bulli Seam Operations Approval (08_0150).
The Project was recommended for approval by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and subsequently received Ministerial approval in April 2022. Updated conditions relating to the Project have been included in the existing Bulli Seam Operations Approval (08_0150).
All documents, assessments and conditions relating to the Project are available on the NSW Planning Portal (planningportal.nsw.gov.au).
Drive through the locations relevant to the Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project (video from September 2021)
Find out more about how the Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project will be executed.
Learn more about the Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project.
