New South Wales government plans bill for Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion
The New South Wales government said it would introduce legislation allowing MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant mine to raise annual coal production to 16.5 million tonnes through 2032.
Premier Chris Minns said the proposed law would permit an additional 4 million tonnes of annual output at the Hunter Valley mine after the High Court invalidated a prior approval. He said the measure was intended to protect 400 jobs.
Environmental advocates criticized the proposal as an attempt to bypass the planning process and the court ruling. The government said the legislation would include restrictions on emissions associated with the coal when burned overseas.