A review report by the Planning Assessment Commission has recommended the $688 million expansion of Rio Tinto's Bengalla mine near Muswellbrook.
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The Commission said it met with Bengalla senior executives last Thursday.
The Review Report was handed to the NSW Government on Friday, after the PAC sought a one-week extension.
In its Review Report the Commission, comprising Chair Garry West, Abigail Goldberg and David Johnson, said it had carefully considered the proposal and submissions made, including issues raised at a public hearing in Muswellbrook last December.
The Commission said it also requested specific expert advice on the mine plan, acquisition rights, the final void and landform, and biodiversity offset strategies.
In its final Review Report the Commission noted:
...the [Bengalla Continuation Project] would have a number of project specific and cumulative impacts, but that these can be managed to an acceptable level through stringent and robust conditions along with careful management of operations on site.
In addition, the PAC has made specific recommendations about land acquisition.
It has recommended that land acquisition be included as an option if the noise and air quality criteria are predicted to be exceeded on more than 25 per cent of a parcel of privately-owned land where there is an existing dwelling or where a dwelling could be built.
The blast regime recommended by the Department, a maximum of two blasts are day and six blasts a week averaged over any calendar year, has been adopted by the PAC.
While the Commission acknowledged the concern of Muswellbrook Shire Council with Bengalla's Overburden Emplacement Area (OEA), it said it was satisfied that high-density tree plantings over the entire eastern face of the OEA (the view from Muswellbrook) would be enough for an acceptable visual outlook.
The Planning Assessment Commission said any approval by the NSW Government for a final void at the Bengalla mine must ensure the void does not become a source of saline groundwater for aquifers and streams and that it be constructed in a manner that meets public safety.
The Muswellbrook Chronicle has sought comment from General Manager of Rio Tinto's Bengalla Mine, Jo-Anne Scarini.
There'll be more on this story in Wednesday's Hunter Valley News and Friday's Muswellbrook Chronicle.
