Coal mine extension approved: 1,500 jobs saved in Hunter Valley

A major coal mine in the New South Wales Hunter Valley has been given the green light to continue operating until 2045. The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has approved plans that will allow Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) to extract an estimated 429 million tonnes of coal across its North and South sites.

The decision is expected to save an estimated 1,500 jobs, with HVO previously telling IPC hearings that the mine employed more than 1,500 people, engaged more than 800 suppliers and injected more than $1 billion a year into the economy.

The proposal had backing from several high-profile politicians, including Premier Chris Minns and Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos. "Those 1,500 jobs are such a key part of the state's economy, but particularly here in the Hunter Valley," Mr Houssos said ahead of today's decision.

"We've got legislated net-zero emissions targets and we will adhere to those, but we also understand the important role that coal mining has particularly for the Hunter Valley, but for our entire state's economy."

The IPC received more than 10,000 public submissions during its deliberations, with about 60 per cent supporting the project. The mine was given a last-minute extension in April 2025, which allowed it to continue operating until December this year.