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3 May 2013
Media Release - Court Judgement Confirms Hume Coal's Position: A statement was released in relation to the judgement of the Land and Environment Court and the blockade at Carters Lane, Sutton Forest. The Land and Environment Court confirmed there is no legal impediment to Hume Coal accessing Carters Lane to conduct its lawful exploration activities while orders were issued to remove the illegal blockade on the road.
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15 April 2013
Letter to the Community - April 2013: Hume Coal Project Manager, Tim Rheinberger recently sent a letter to residents of the Southern Highlands community to provide an update about Project and to advise the NSW Government had renewed the exploration licence known as Authorisation 349. The renewal of the Authorisation provides clarity on the exploration activities over the next 2 years.
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Hume Coal is a joint initiative between Cockatoo Coal and Posco.

What is the Hume Project?

Hume Coal Pty Limited, a joint initiative of POSCO and Cockatoo Coal (Cockatoo), hold Exploration Authorisation 349, which covers an area of 89 km² in the Southern Highlands of NSW, and is known as the “Hume Coal Project”. Authorisation 349 allows coal exploration activities in an area west of Moss Vale and incorporates parts of the Belanglo State Forest. Coal exploration which incorporates the Hume Project area was first granted in 1967, and various exploration programs have been undertaken since then.

The Hume Coal Project is a coal exploration project only and does not have the right to explore for or develop Coal Seam Gas.

Access Agreements for Mineral Exploration

Community members often ask about the land access process and the mechanisms which allow coal exploration. Exploration activities can be carried out on both public and private land. Land access agreements must first be signed before any work can commence on private property. The land access agreement is the formal contract between the Hume Coal Project and the landholder(s) and sets out all the conditions for work to be carried out and the compensation amount involved. It is preferable that land access agreements are negotiated between the landholder(s) and the Project.

Any landowners within the Hume Exploration Authorisation who are interested in more information about a Landowner Access Agreement are encouraged to contact the Community Liaison team via email info@humecoal.com.au or by contacting the office on 4868 1233.

If an access agreement cannot be reached between the Hume Coal Project and the landowner(s), the Project may request to appoint a mutually agreed arbitrator. If after 28 days both parties have been unable to agree on an appointment, either party can request the Director General appoint an arbitrator from the Minster’s panel of arbitrators. However, it is preferable that access is negotiated through mutual agreement. A copy of the “Mineral Exploration and You” Factsheet can be found on the NSW Minerals Council website at www.nswmin.com.au or by clicking on the link below to download a copy.

Click here to see the NSW Minerals Council ‘Mineral Exploration and You’ fact sheet

Note: The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice. Landowners are encouraged to seek their own legal advice if they are uncertain about the process and their rights.

Want to know more? Click here for some Fast Facts about the Project.