Coal mining debate
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A coal mining proposal in the Central Coast, Australia, has generated debates in the community
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[edit] Coal mining proposal
Korea Resources Corporation (Kores), owned by Korean Government, has lodged application for an underground coal mine near Wyong, Australia, known as Wallarah 2 Coal Project (W2CP), beneath the drinking water catchment valleys of Dooralong and Yarramalong. The proposed longwall mine will have an annual coal production of 4-5 million tons of export quality thermal coal per year, over 42 years, with initial development coal expected to be produced in 2009 and longwall coal in 2010. The loader, coal stockpile and rail link will be within 3km of the largest urban growth area on the Central Coast, Australia, including the proposed Warnervale town centre.
[edit] The opposition
Such a large scale mining proposal so close to urban growth areas in North Sydney/Central Coast areas and under the drinking water catchments is unprecedented. "No government in the world will allow a coal mine of such a scale within the 100 km approximate of Sydney, a major city that desperately need land for expansion to accommodate its ever rapid growing population. " said experts.[citation needed]
[edit] The loyalty payment
There have been previous examples that large scale coal mining results in land subsidence in the nearby areas and adverse environmental impacts. "It makes no economical sense to mine coal in this area. Sure, the NSW State Government will get some 4 to 5 dollars of loyalty payment from Kores, for every ton of coal extracted. But in this area, a vacant residential land of 600 square meters is selling at nearly $300,000. How many tons of coal you have to dig from the valleys in order to get the loyalty of the same value of even a single residential land?" asked the residents.[citation needed]
The NSW State Government is the major land owner in Central Coast, through land holding of Landcom. "Longwall coal mining will cause land subsidence and dust. As soon as this coal mine starts, land value in the Central Coast will plunge. The Government will be the biggest loser. "[citation needed]
[edit] The foreign entity
The mining company Kores is foreign own by the Korean Government, and the coal will be shipped to Korea, for consumption. "The Korean just want to get cheap coal from Australia. They cut and run, leaving permanent damages to our motherland and our environment. "The worst is this coal mining will last for 40 years, which means our children, grand children, and many future generations will have to bear the brunt." said residents. Dust caused by the coal mining would become a major problem. "There are schools, tourist attractions, industries in this area as well as a fast growing residential population," said residents. "We're very worried about the likely effects of this project."
[edit] The water crisis
There is substantive and compelling evidence that the mine will also impact on the integrity of the water catchment. "Throughout Australia, longwall coal mining has had a destructive impact on water systems." said Alan Hayes, the campaign co-coordinator for Australian Coal Alliance. Dam levels are down to about 13.9 per cent on the Central Coast and local councils are considering drastic measures such as installing temporary desalination plants on beaches. The coal mining will also threaten the survival of several endangered animal species in the valleys.
[edit] References
- Coal mining inquiry near Wyong [1]
- Residents fear coal dust [2]
- Voters' backlash looms against coal mine [3]
- Coal mining causes adverse environmental impacts. Coal_mining
- Daniel Burns. The modern practice of coal mining (1907)
- Hughes. Herbert W, A Text-Book of Mining: For the Use of Colliery Managers and Others (London, many editions 1892-1917), the standard British textbook for its era.
- James Tonge. The principles and practice of coal mining (1906)
- Charles V. Nielsen and George F. Richardson. 1982 Keystone Coal Industry Manual (1982)
- Hayes, Geoffrey. Coal Mining (2004), 32 pp
- Chirons, Nicholas P. Coal Age Handbook of Coal Surface Mining (ISBN 0-07-011458-7)
