Centennial Coal fuels around 40 per cent of NSW’s coal-fired electricity generating capacity, while also managing a successful export business. 

Supplying domestic and export markets, Centennial Coal has operated since 2009, and owns the Airly mine in the Western Coalfields.

The Airly mine was given a new lease of life in 2014, when it was reopened following a period of care and maintenance since 2012.

At the time, the majority of the experienced Charbon Colliery workforce were redeployed to the mine. 

With a small environmental footprint and a current workforce of nearly 100 people, Airly mine continues to make a positive contribution to the regional economy.

Airly has maintained a clean environmental report card during this period, boasting full compliance with noise and dust limits, ground and surface water systems, and zero impacts on biodiversity or heritage matters or any mining related subsidence.

Building on this performance, Airly is proposing to modify its 2016 planning consent.

This advertising feature is sponsored by the following businesses. Click the links to learn more:

The proposed modification will seek to increase production from 1.8 million tonnes (Mt) to 3.0Mt per year, increase the number of employees from the consented 155 to 200 and increase the average number of daily trains from two to three.

The proposed modification does not propose to change the approved mining methods.

Increased production will be achieved by introducing additional mining equipment to reduce production downtime.

Additionally, to reduce the mine’s carbon footprint and contribute toward Centennial’s commitment to sustainability, Airly will seek approval from Lithgow City Council for a Solar Farm.

The proposed Solar Farm will be up to 5 MW in capacity and represents a capital investment of approximately $5 million.

The energy generated will predominantly be used by Airly with any excess fed into the grid.

Both projects will undergo an environmental assessment process and ongoing consultation with stakeholders and the community.