South32’s NSW coal mine took water without permit
ASX-listed South32 admitted its NSW coal mine drew on water for five years at its underground coal mine near Wollongong without a permit, and agreed to pay almost $2.9 million to fund a community water project.
Illawarra Coal Holdings, a subsidiary of South32, made these concessions in an enforceable undertaking with the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator on Tuesday.
The coal mine is located just near Wollongong. Bloomberg
The regulator said the monetary contribution is the largest since the agency was formed in 2017, and will fund a project related to wetland or waterway restoration.
In the enforceable undertaking between the duo, released publicly by the regulator, the miner “acknowledged” it took surface water without a licence at its underground coal mine at Kembla Heights west of Wollongong for five years from 2018 to 2023.
“Illawarra Coal acknowledges NRAR’s allegations… and undertakes to carry out the commitments and preventative measures which are set out in this enforceable undertaking.”
The coal miner will contribute $2,878,138. Illawarra Coal has also pledged to consult local Aboriginal communities and groups connected to the area where the community project will be undertaken.
It committed to improved surface water management by investing in and using an array of new and emerging technology.
The company has committed to report the results back to NRAR annually. It has also pledged to regular reporting to the regulator about consultation, community project progress, and other aspects of the agreement.
The miner will pay the regulator $70,000 to cover investigative, legal and monitoring costs, with the option to increase these costs.
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