Startling new drone footage reveals underground coal mining near a much-loved natural tourism destination in Central West NSW is causing the surface above to crack and sink, and trees to die.
The sinking land is above one of Yancoal’s Moolarben thermal coal mine longwalls, “Underground 4”. Mining here impacts the Goulburn River and the popular tourist destination known as The Drip Gorge, which attracts about 50,000 visitors each year.
The NSW Government is yet to approve what’s known as an extraction management plan for the continuation of coal mining that would take Moolarben even closer to The Drip and Goulburn River, risking destabilisation of the fragile sandstone landscape and river system.
Community advocates say this latest evidence of damage is proof the NSW Government is not adequately assessing or regulating the impacts of mining on the environment and landscape, and are demanding the implementation of a two kilometre “buffer zone” to separate the mine from the river and The Drip.
The revelation comes as Yancoal seeks to expand the Moolarben coal mine on its opposite end to the south – a project that would clear more than one hundred hectares of koala habitat identified as critical to the species’ survival.
Bev Smiles, spokesperson for the Mudgee District Environment Group said, “Yancoal’s mining at Moolarben is having a devastating impact on nature at the surface that is not being properly regulated or monitored. Allowing surface disturbance of over 2m drops in the landscape has far-reaching impacts that are not reported.
“The NSW Government is allowing major land collapse above the longwall panels with far-reaching consequences and risks. This threatens not just the environment, but risks the safety of the tens of thousands of people who visit this special place each year.
“We are demanding stronger regulation of the impacts of underground coal mining. We want to see a ban on all underground mining within two kilometres of the Goulburn River and The Drip.”
Lock the Gate Alliance NSW Coordinator Nic Clyde said, “This stark footage shows the damage and destruction that coal mining companies inflict when governments fail to put in place proper protections.
“The Minns Government needs to urgently reevaluate its regulation of coal mining and protect the nature that we cherish.
“Mudgee locals have worked hard to make The Drip a popular and iconic local attraction which should be protected. That’s one clear reason why the government should implement a two kilometre buffer zone to prevent further damage.”
The Mudgee District Environment Group has submitted the footage, along with a complaint, to the NSW Resources Regulator and Independent Expert Advisory Panel for Mining.
ENDS
Background:
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The Moolarben Coal Complex is currently the largest coal producer in NSW producing 19.33 million tonnes of coal in 2024.
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Mine subsidence, the collapse of surface land, has long distance impacts through the landscape, especially in fragile sandstone areas.
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A buffer zone of 2km must be included in the Extraction Management Plan to protect The Drip and Goulburn River National Park.