THE Wybong community is fighting to stop a mining
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exploration licence from being granted, fearing more losses to the community if it goes ahead.
Wybong resident Christine Phelps said the application made by Ridgelands Coal Resources was a surprise to many residents and action would be taken to have the application refused.
Wybong Action Group is also campaigning for objections to be lodged against the application.
“The community is extremely upset that the exploration licence looks likely or is at all even
possible,” Mrs Phelps said.
Mrs Phelps said the Wybong community had suffered enough since mining began in the area.
“Two hundred and fifty
residents have moved from the area because of Mangoola (coalmine),” she said.
“Some of those residents relocated to the proposed area where the exploration licence is for.
“They will suffer all over again if anything proceeds.”
The application is to explore an area of 7890 hectares 20 kilometres north-west of Muswellbrook.
The area is south of Manobalai Nature Reserve and north of Wybong village incorporating the localities of Manobalai, Brogheda, Wybong, Castle Rock and Yarraman.
Mrs Phelps said the area offered huge agricultural resources with high-value land for cattle, sheep, cropping, pastures and vineyards.
Muswellbrook Shire mayor Martin Rush said the council
formally opposed any mining in the area.
“It falls in a critical biodiversity corridor and presents with considerable land use conflicts,” Cr Rush said.
Ridgelands Coal Resources was granted the right to apply for the application in 2009.
They did not move on the consent until May 6, 2011.
If approved, the licence will stand for five years and will make way for the applicant to put in place a drilling program for the purpose of mapping, sampling and testing assessments plus other exploration activities.
Ridgelands Coal Resources is an Australian company with a registered office in Sydney.
They do not have any other sites or operations in NSW and the exploration licence process is being managed by Sydney-based SRK Consultants.
Public comment on the impact of exploration in the area can be made until March 20.
For further details or to lodge a comment, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov. au/minerals.