More than 40 people from Muswellbrook, Denman and Wybong have attended a workshop in Wybong to discuss land access arrangements relating to a proposed new mining exploration project.
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The NSW Farmers' Association hosted the workshop on Wednesday at the Wybong Community Hall.
The discussion related to Exploration Licence 8064, which was signed between the former NSW Minister for Resources, Chris Hartcher, and Ridgelands Coal Resources Pty Ltd on February 27, 2013.
Ridgelands Coal Resources is part of the Ridgelands group, owned by a Hong Kong-based parent company.
The EL covers 7643 hectares north of Wybong, bounded by Dry Creek Road, Castlerock Road and Ridgelands Road.
There are about 250 separate land titles in the licence area, with land uses ranging from residential, mining, viticulture, equine, conservation, small scale agriculture and Crown Land.
The Ridgelands project team is currently undertaking discussions with landholders within EL8064 to refine the early phases of its exploration project.
Scott Harlum, from NSW Farmers, said those who attended Wednesday’s discussions asked questions about land access, possible compensation, landholder rights, road construction and what happens if heavy machinery is needed on site during wet weather periods.
Mr Harlum said he had excellent feedback from those who were in the audience.
