Coal mine causes 'irreversible' damage to ancient rock formations in NSW State Conservation Area
An Australian coal mining giant has been fined for damaging sandstone formations, some estimated to be millions of years old, in a New South Wales conservation area.A coal mine operator has been fined $150,000 for damaging significant rock pagodas in NSW
A NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment investigation found Centennial Coal's Mount Airly operation, north-west of Lithgow, caused fractures to internationally renowned pagoda rock formations. The 'Lost City' with internationally renowned pagodas sits within the Gardens of Stone state conservation area.An independent review, conducted on Centennial Coal's behalf, found 15 surface cracks related to mining activity in the most western corner of the Gardens of Stone.Geotechnical consultant SCT supplied this graph of surface cracks to Centennial Coal.The company must now carry out remediation work, which includes filling some of the cracks.
"Basically they get a slap on the wrist for having caused this amount of damage over one of the most iconic areas," she said.Ms Thirlwall considered the fine to be petty cash for a mining giant. An expansion was approved in December last year enabling Centennial Coal to mine up to 1.8 million tonnes of coal a year until 2037.
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