MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 22nd October 2025
The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC) has condemned the NSW Planning Department’s decision to open Glencore’s Ulan Coal Mine Modification 8 for public exhibition, describing it as a “major mine expansion masquerading as a modification”.
“The proposed mining is outside the current approved mine lease boundary, making it very clearly an expansion of operations,” Jacqui Mumford, NCC CEO, said.
“Ulan Modification 8 covers a larger area and proposes more extraction than similar projects already being assessed as expansions.
“Considering the significant impacts on climate, threatened species, water resources and Wiradjuri cultural heritage, this application should undergo full independent assessment as an expansion.
“By allowing Glencore to proceed under a modification process, the Minns Government is undermining its own commitment to independent assessment of coal mines. Glencore and the NSW Government are dodging proper independent assessment and reneging on its election promise.” [1]
Glencore already has approval to mine 20 million tonnes of coal per year out to 2035. This modification would extend the mine out to 2041 and result in an additional 43 million tonnes of coal being mined. The scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are disastrous for our climate.
In the project’s own Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report, it acknowledges that the cumulative impact of mining on Wiradjuri Country was described by consultees as “‘eroding’ the Wiradjuri cultural landscape, bit by bit.”
In Mudgee, three of NSW’s largest mines are currently up for expansion – including Ulan, WIlpinjong, which is on exhibition until October 30 – and the imminent Moolarben mine expansion.
NCC’s member group, Mudgee District Environment Group has an active appeal in the NSW Land and Environment Court against the previous Ulan Mine Modification 6, one of the grounds being that the proposal should have been fully assessed as a new project rather than as a modification.
Quotes attributable to Rosemary Hadaway, Mudgee District Environment Group President:
“There is a pattern of companies putting through large new expansions as modifications to avoid independent scrutiny. Our community is being hit with wave after wave of new coal projects, creating immense pressure on the community to respond.
“The Department should not have exhibited Ulan Modification 8 while the community is dealing with another expansion proposal. The excessive consultation required compromises the quality of community consultation and feedback.”
ENDS