27 speakers have stated their positions on the proposed continuation of Rio Tinto’s Bengalla open cut coal mine at a Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) Hearing in Muswellbrook today.
Rio Tinto’s license to mine at the Bengalla Colliery will expire in 2017, with the mining giant applying for a continuation for a further 21 years from the expiry date.
The speakers who came forward largely offered a positive outlook on the continuation of Rio Tinto’s license, as many towns in the Upper Hunter rely heavily on the project for employment.
The Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce offered its support to the hearing, on the basis of ongoing employment for around 500 workers.
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