In response to the NSW government’s approval of the extension of the Dartbrook thermal coal mine in the Hunter Valley, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s national climate policy adviser Annika Reynolds (they/them) said:
“The decision of the Minns government to allow the Dartbrook thermal coal mine to keep mining coal until 2033 is reckless and short sighted.
“In 2025, Dartbrook coal mine entered voluntary administration after accruing millions of dollars in losses, raising concerns about the mine’s capacity to pay its workforce, pay its taxes and royalties, or set aside sufficient funds to meet its rehabilitation obligations.
“The Minns government could have chosen to enforce strong conditions on Dartbrook, to ensure a proper, coal industry-funded plan for local workforce transition and mine rehabilitation.
“Instead of taking a responsible approach, the government has waved through a further 50 million tonnes of climate pollution entering our atmosphere from Dartbrook’s extension – fuelling more extreme weather in NSW – and kicking the closure can further down the road.
“Australia’s thermal coal mine sector is under increasing pressure as foreign trade partners like China decarbonise.
“Rather than recklessly sign off on expansion applications, the Minns government should take its own Net Zero Commission’s advice and manage the phase out of thermal coal operations in a way that fulfils NSW’s climate targets and supports local communities through the transition.”