Underground Expansion Project

Upcoming community engagement for Russell Vale Colliery Underground Expansion Project

Wollongong Resources will be holding a community information session on a revised mine plan for the Russell Vale Colliery Underground Expansion Project. The Russell Vale Colliery has a long history in the region and is well located close to coal export facilities at Port Kembla to provide quality coking coal to meet global demand for use in steel making. The Colliery has been in care and maintenance since 2015 and is seeking approval to recommence underground mining at the site. An invitation to the session has been distributed to over 1,500 households in the local area and has been advertised in the Illawarra Mercury on Thursday 16th May.

Information session will be held at the Thirroul District Community Centre & Library

Location:352/358 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul NSW 2515

When:Saturday 25th May between 11 am and 4 pm

Who is invited:Any concerned or interested local residents or members of the community

The session will be run as a ‘drop-in session’ to allow attendees to stroll around the display and view information about the project in their own time. The community will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the proposed changes with the Project team working on the updated environmental and social assessment studies for the revised mine plan, and provide feedback for consideration in the assessment process.

  • use of non-caving first workings mining methods with negligible subsidence and environmental impacts – longwall mining is no longer proposed;
  • a reduced production rate;
  • substantial redesign of the Russell Vale Pit Top to reduce noise impacts on the local community;
  • improve surface water management;
  • Social and economic benefits of the project to the local community, and more.

Environmental and social studies for the revised mine plan commenced in 2017, with a detailed round of engagement undertaken with key stakeholders and local residents. These studies are now nearing completion and all community feedback will be considered as part of the assessment process. The revised mine plan has been developed in response to government and community concerns regarding the potential environmental and social impacts of the project. In particular, concerns regarding potential subsidence related impacts of mining on groundwater, surface water and biodiversity, as well as noise impacts on the local community. Further detail on the revised project is included in the Project Information Sheet and Umwelt UEP Presentation – 21 May which can be downloaded from this page and will be available on the day.

The information collected during this community consultation will be included in the environmental and social assessment studies being prepared for the revised mine plan. These studies will be submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment along with a response to the Planning Assessment Commission Review of the previous project design. These documents will be made publicly available on the Department’s website.

WCL encourages anyone interested in finding out more about the Revised Project to attend on the day or contact: