It is reported that the NSW Government tough conditions have been placed on the controversial renewal of two exploration licences covering the Liverpool Plains.
The licences held by BHP Billiton and Shenhua Watermark expired earlier this year.
Mr Chris Hartcher Resources and Energy Minister said BHP-Billiton and Shenhua coal exploration licences on the Liverpool Plains expired in February.
Mr Hartcher has renewed them, but he says community concern about the effect of coal exploration on prime agricultural land has been taken into consideration. He said that "Yes, we want mining, but we want mining on our terms, and our terms are protect the water, protect the agriculture, protect the environment."
Mr Sandy Bloomfield the chairman of Caroona Coal Action Group says he's still deeply concerned. He said that "Renewal on these grounds shows they are not committed to protecting the environment."
He added that "Approvals shall not include longwall mining under deep alluvial aquifers, or the flood plain, and no open cut mining should be allowed on the flood plain. There should be no longwall mining under aquifers and no longwall mining on or under the flood plain as it could damage the underground water supply and storage capacity.”
He also said that "If BHP had no intention of mining then it should be excised from the licence altogether, but it is not and I don't know if we can trust BHP."
The Minister says the renewal of the exploration licenses will not automatically lead to the granting of full mining leases.
A spokeswoman for Shenhua Watermark says the company hasn't received any details about the licence renewal from the State Government and will not comment until it's confirmed.
(Sourced from www.abc.net.au)
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