Mount Pleasant Project

The Mount Pleasant Project is a proposed coal mine proposed by Coal & Allied to be established approximately four kilometres north-west of Muswellbrook, in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The project is 100% owned by Coal & Allied. It would be located adjacent to the Bengalla mine, which is also operated and part-owned by Coal & Allied.

The company states that "the proposed mine would produce up to 10.5 million tonnes of thermal coal for international markets. The deposit holds 459 million tonnes of thermal coal. Coal & Allied obtained an authority over the Mount Pleasant resource in 1992. Exploration, mining studies and an environmental impact statement (EIS) were completed in 1997 with development consent granted in 1999. In November 2006 Coal & Allied announced the commencement of a feasibility study into Mount Pleasant's potential development, and in 2007 a shopfront was opened at 19 Bridge Street Muswellbrook for engagement with the community."

The company states that the proposed mine would be an open cut project and employ "approximately 340 employees". Coal from the proposed mine would be transportated 115km to the Port Waratah Coal Terminal in Newcastle "to be shipped to international customers". The company also states that the deposit "has reserves of 459 million tonnes."

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Australia and coal
 * Rio Tinto's coal interests

Coal & Allied documents on the proposed extension

 * Coal & Allied, "Notice of application - Mount Pleasant Project modification", Coal & Allied website, accessed July 2010.
 * Coal & Allied, "Signed application form - Mount Pleasant Project modification", Coal & Allied website, accessed July 2010.