Clarence Coal Mine has applied to NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment to double the total coal hauled off-site by road.
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The mine has applied to go from 200,000 tonnes to 300,000 tonnes for a period up to December 31, 2020.
It also wants to increase the total coal haulage off site to the west by road from 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes for the same amount of time.
This proposed increase would also increase the total number of trucks that transport coal from Clarence Colliery from 25 trucks per day (50 truck movements) to 40 trucks per day (80 truck movements).
According to the report put in to Lithgow City Council, the need for the modification is due to Springvale Mine experiencing shortfalls in the amount of coal, of the required specification, that it is contracted to supply to the Mount Piper Power Station (MPPS).
The volume of coal held in on-site stockpiles is apparently declining, which is why Clarence Coal Mine needs an alternative source of suitable quality coal to supplement the decline in supply.
If left, onsite stockpiles at MPPS would decline with the potential to impact on efficient operation and the supply of electricity to NSW, the application stated.
The proposal is a modification of Clarence Colliery's current consent and is for a limited period of time.
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The coal haulage to the west by road to MPPS includes the use of Clarence Colliery Road, Chifley Road, the Darling Causeway, Station Street - Mt Victoria, Great Western Highway, Castlereagh Highway, Wallerawang Power Station Haul Road and Mount Piper Power Station Haul Road.
The trucking of coal to the west will occur between 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday and between 8am and 10pm on Sundays and public holidays.
No change to the coal haulage by road to the east is proposed as part of the modification.
There will also be no change to the currently approved extraction limits, coal handling and preparation or dispatch via rail as part of the proposed modification.
A traffic assessment report was submitted with the application and has been referred to the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) for assessment.
The proposed modifications will allow Centennial to provide an alternative source of coal to MPPS to supplement the decline in supply from Springvale Mine.
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