1. Moolarben Mining (Felix Industries) - seeking approval
- Stage One proposal to mine 127 million tonnes (Mt) coal over 15 yrs
- Proposal includes three open cut Mines in the Moolarben Valley & an underground longwall mine in close proximity to the Goulburn River & The Drip Gorge area that abuts the Goulburn River National Park

2. Wilpinjong Mines (Peabody) - approval 2005
- Open cut Mine run-of-mine (ROM) coal reserve of 251 Mt
- To mine up to 13Mt ROM per annum over 21 years
- Estimate water usuage 6ML per day

Aerial Photos of Wilpinjong Mine

3. Ulan Coal Mines (Xstrata) - commenced mining 1982
- licensed to mine 1oMt coal per annum
(currently mining approx 6 Mt/annum)
- Open cut mined area on western side of the Goulburn River with new workings extending further to the west
- Underground mine extends to north of open cut
- Current water production is 13.8ML/day predicted to increase to 17 ML/day by 2011.

Ulan Coal Mine (Xstrata) has recently applied for an increase in coal productionto 20MT/annum and a 21 year lease
- this involves a new underground mine (Ulan West) and a further extension to the open cut.

Possible new coal-fired power station

- Proposed Transgrid Power Transmission line

Moolarben Coal Project is the third mine proposed for the Mudgee area. Owned by White Mining a subsidiary of Felix Resources (see NSW Dept. Planning register of major projects) the company proposes to underground 'longwall' mine within 120 metres of the Goulburn River. Bounded by the Goulburn River to the north and west, and Goulburn River National Park to the east, longwall mining threatens the fragile sandstone cliffs and gorges along the Goulburn River, important aboriginal cultural sites (including cave paintings) and the groundwater system, life blood of this land.

Underground longwall coal mining subsides the ground surface, collapsing strata, cracking cliff faces and causing rock falls. Mining adjacent to these cliffs and gorges are likely to destroy this place of wonder and make it unsafe for the public. The natural underground springs that flow to the river will be diverted from their natural course and degraded in quality. Subsidence & horizontal movements from the effects of longwall mining has the potential to crack cliffs more than a kilometre away and intercept and pollute groundwater that feeds the river (NSW Scientific Committee- final determination July 2005

Moolarben Coal Project are part of a massive industrialisation of an isolated rural area between the Goulburn River National Park and the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve at the source of the Goulburn River. The company are also proposing three open cut mines in the picturesque Moolarben valley, rich in bird life and biodiversity. This mine will displace many farming families in this area and mine within 2 kilometers of the village of Ulan and local primary school. Documents available:

Wilpinjong Open Cut mine (Peabody Coal Limited) was granted a DA to open cut mine to the east in the Wilpinjong to Wollar Valley. This valley provides valuable habitat to a range of endangered species and vegetation communities.

There is significant community concern that the government will be able to regulate the conditions of approval for this mine. According to local information it is already exceeding noise and dust levels. The mine is also likely to impact on groundwater in the area and has the potential for offsite saline and acid drainage. Details & Documents on Wilpinjong Mine

Ulan Coal mines (Xstrata) has had an ongoing major excess water problem across the site with excessive saline water collecting in the underground mine. Current modelling indicates that to continue underground mining they will need to use a combination of methods to dispose of the excess water including discharge to the river, irrigation scheme, 'big gun' spray evaporation, coal washery and dust suppression. Ulan CM has now installed a desalination plant to treat approximately of 2-3Ml water/day.

The source of this excess mine water is still to be resolved. It is clear that 25 years of coal mining, mine subsidence and dewatering of the underground, has dramatically disrupted the groundwater system with implications for the base flow of the Goulburn River.