Cessnock has a strong history of mining with mining occuring in the area for many years. Austar holds a current Mining Lease (CML2) and have identified three stages of development.
The three stages of the project are shown on the Locality Plan and described as follows:
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Stage 1
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This mining area and included two longwall panels below the former Aberdare State Forest. Mining was completed in this area in December 2008.
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Stage 2
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The current mining area comprises three longwall panels beneath privately held small rural residential properties at Quorrobolong. The modification to allow for an increase in the height of extraction to 6.5m using LTCC methodology was granted approval in June 2008. Mining commenced in Stage 2 area in February 2009.
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Stage 3
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Extension of mining to an area east of the existing operations. Planning approval was granted under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act in September 2009.
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