Glencore has secured approval from the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Continuation Project, which would extend the operating life of the coal complex while allowing further resources to be recovered from existing mining tenements.
HVO is jointly owned by Yancoal, which holds a 51% stake, and Glencore, which holds the remaining 49%. The operation produces thermal and semi-soft steelmaking coal for export and is independently managed on behalf of its joint venture owners.
The approval marks a significant regulatory milestone for the coal extension, although the project still requires Federal Government environmental approval before operations can continue beyond the existing approvals.
Hunter Valley Operations Set for Extended Mine Life
The HVO Continuation Project is designed to recover additional coal resources within existing mining tenements and extend the operating life of both HVO North and HVO South.
Under the approved project:
- HVO North’s mine life would extend from 2026 to 2045
- HVO South’s mine life would extend from 2030 to 2042
- Additional coal resources would be recovered within existing mining areas
The coal extension follows a six-year regulatory assessment process involving changes to the project’s design. Glencore said the project was amended during the assessment to align with NSW and Federal Government legislative guidelines, environmental standards and climate change policies.
The IPC decision therefore provides approval at the state planning level for the proposed coal extension, while leaving a further federal environmental requirement outstanding.
Federal Approval Remains for Coal Extension
Glencore said the HVO Continuation Project remains subject to Federal Government environmental approval, which is required by the end of December 2026 for operations to continue.
The additional approval requirement means the coal extension has not yet received all necessary regulatory clearances. The NSW IPC approval represents the latest step following the project’s extended assessment process, but continued operations under the proposed timeline depend on the federal environmental decision.
The project is focused on extending production from an established mining complex rather than developing a new greenfield operation. By allowing further resources to be recovered from existing tenements, the coal extension is intended to maintain HVO’s production activity across both mining areas over the coming decades.
HVO remains an important part of Glencore’s Australian coal business, producing export thermal and semi-soft steelmaking coal. The proposed coal extension would keep the operations active for longer periods, subject to the remaining Federal Government environmental approval.