The following describes the project as it was structured for the 2009 application. The Environmental Assessment and Responses to submission refer to the original application. Reports on investigations regarding the work being carried for the new application will be placed on this site as it is completed.

The Wallarah 2 Coal Project (W2CP) will involve the underground extraction of export quality thermal coal with associated surface facilities and infrastructure.

The project is comprised of an underground longwall mine, a coal handling plant and storage facilities, rail loop and loading infrastructure, an underground drift entry, ventilation shafts and gas management facility. Figure 1 shows the indicative undergound mining area and location of surface facilities.

Figure 1. Indicative mine layout
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Longwall mining is a term used to describe how the coal is extracted. The method involves the formation of large panels of coal between a series of underground roadways. These panels are then extracted by a mechanical shearer which makes progressive passes along the coal face. Coal is removed by a conveyor, behind which are a number of hydraulic jacks which support the roof during the extraction process.

Since the coal seam is located so deep below the surface (between 350m and 650m deep), it needs to be accessed by a long sloped tunnel (drift) which will start at the proposed surface facilities site at Tooheys Road (figure 2). The main ventilation facilities will be located to the south of the Buttonderry Waste Management Facility (figure 3).

Figure 2. Tooheys Road Site
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Figure 3. Buttonderry Site
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Figure 4
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Figure 5. Tooheys Road Aerial view
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Artist Impression of Buttonderry Internal Buildings Looking Northwest

The Project has been substantially modified to accommodate both social and environmental issues that were raised through community consultation and detailed investigations. Key changes include:

Regional Locality
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