Glencore’s (LON: GLEN) Hunter Valley thermal coal complex in Australia has won state approval to continue mining until 2045 after regulators found its economic and social benefits outweighed its environmental impacts.
The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission approved the continuation of mining at the HVO North and South open pits near Singleton, allowing the Glencore-Yancoal joint venture to extract about 429 million tonnes of coal. The operations had been facing the expiry of existing approvals at the end of 2026.
“Our deepest and most sincere thanks must go to our dedicated workforce, our local suppliers and the broader Hunter community,” HVO general manager Dave Foster said, according to Reuters.
The decision preserves operations employing more than 1,500 people and working with more than 800 suppliers, but underscores the tension between the Hunter Valley’s reliance on coal and Australia’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. HVO has said it contributes more than $1 billion annually to the economy.
More than 10,000 public submissions were made during the commission’s deliberations, with about 60% supporting the project. Opponents focused heavily on its climate impact, while supporters emphasized employment, local businesses and the mine’s broader economic contribution.
Hunter Valley Operations, a joint venture owned by Glencore and Yancoal, produced over 14 million tonnes of coal in 2025, employing over 1500 workers at two open-cut coal mines at the site in New South Wales state.
The commission acknowledged that greenhouse gases from the mining operations and the eventual combustion of its coal overseas would contribute to climate change in the Hunter region, across New South Wales and globally. The project is associated with an estimated 809 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its life.
Shares in Glencore were up 0.62% to £555.2 ($736) apiece by markets close in London, valuing the company at £65.1 billion ($86.3 billion).
The conditions
The commission’s approval comes with obligations for Hunter Valley to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, maximize renewable energy within four years of commencement at the mine and purchase additional carbon offsets.
The conditions also require Hunter Valley to prepare and regularly update plans covering greenhouse gas mitigation and the eventual closure of the operation, including measures to help workers and surrounding communities transition as mining winds down.
The New South Wales commission maintains that the approval with these set conditions will support local workers, businesses and communities and optimize the transition to new economic opportunities in the energy transition.
Lock the Gate told Reuters that the pollution created from the mines would undo Australia’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia is the world’s largest per capita producer of coal, and has been investing in renewable industries recently as it looks to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
(With files from Reuters)
Source: https://www.mining.com/glencores-hunter-valley-coal-mine-cleared-to-2045/
