"Biggest climate failure": Major coal mine project approved despite laws to reduce emissions

Today’s decision by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to approve the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Continuation Project will push the planet recklessly toward climate chaos, Nature Conservation Council NSW (NCC) warns.   
 
The NCC blames the NSW Government and coal companies for the failure to prepare for coal mine closure with a just transition plan for workers and the community. 
 
Allowing the mine to extend operations for another 19 years means 800 million tonnes of extra climate pollution will spew into the atmosphere, worsening the already devastating extreme weather events caused by warming global temperatures as a result of burning fossil fuels.  
  

Quotes attributable to NCC CEO, Jacqui Mumford: 

 “This is Premier Chris Minns biggest climate failure,” Mumford said. 

“This decision shows the NSW Government’s complete inability to appropriately respond to the ever-growing climate crisis. 

“Today’s approval protects the interests of two multinational coal companies at the expense of everyone else, as our hope for a safe climate future is eroded one coal mine approval at a time. 
 
“Every coal mine approved throws more fuel on the already intense bushfire seasons, heat waves, storms and floods that NSW residents are already suffering through. 
 
“This is the biggest coal project ever proposed in recent NSW history and today’s decision should not be taken lightly. 
 
“It is clear the state’s planning system has failed to meet the challenge of the climate crisis and protect the people and nature of NSW.  

“The coal companies, Glencore and Yancoal, have failed to prepare a transition plan for the HVO workers. And so, the region remains underprepared for the end of coal and thousands of workers face risk of redundancy as a result, while putting all of us in harm’s way by escalating global warming. 

“Keep in mind this coal mine approval comes after the NSW Climate Change Act came into effect. Unleashing extra tonnes of climate pollution at a time when we need to be cutting emissions rapidly is simply reckless and irresponsible. 

“HVO is already one of the most polluting coal mines in NSW and extending its lifespan by almost two decades will have disastrous consequences for the people of NSW and across the country. 

“The expanded mine will also destroy endangered Hunter River Red Gums and critical habitat of the endangered Hunter delma.” 

 
NCC is calling for: 
1. the IPC to not approve Maules Creek and Moolarben coal mine expansions in its upcoming consideration.   
2. The NSW Government to deliver on the promised Future Jobs and Investment Authority Bill that is currently stalled in Parliament. 
3. For all political parties and 2027 election candidates to rule out further coal mine expansions or extensions. 

 
 
ENDS 

Background:

• Statement of reasons for decision HVO North and South Open Cut Coal Continuation Projects found here.

• In a report published by UNSW, John Basten KC, finds NSW current assessment processes put the state in breach of both NSW and international law.   

• The NSW Climate Change Act 2023 was passed with bipartisan support, committing NSW to reduce greenhouse emissions by 50 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030, and 70 per cent by 2035 to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and making the Premier personally responsible for the targets. 

• The independent NSW Net Zero Commission was established by the Minns Government in 2024 to provide expert advice on the steps we must take to achieve our legislated climate goals, and audit progress. 

• The Net Zero Commissions independent 2026 Annual Progress report found the state is not on track to hit these targets and provided advice to lower emissions to reduce the impacts of climate change (severe weather events) that are worsened by global heating fuelled by the burning of gas, coal and oil. 

• The Net Zero Commission’s Coal Mining Emissions Spotlight Report released in December 2025 advised there should be no more coal mine expansions or extensions for the best chance of reaching net zero targets. 

• The Net Zero Commission’s latest report on the Economic impacts of Climate Change predicts that the average NSW resident is $20,000 poorer per year because of climate change.