Clarence 918 Extraction Plan

About Clarence Colliery

Clarence Colliery is an existing underground coal mine located approximately 10 km east of Lithgow and is accessible via Chifley Road. Clarence Colliery is managed by Clarence Colliery Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Centennial Coal Company Pty Limited (Centennial Coal).

Clarence Colliery operates under three separate development consents:

  • IRM.76.GE - development consent issued in 1976 by the then Blaxland Shire Council (now Lithgow City Council)
  • DA 174/93 - development consent issued in 1994 by Lithgow City Council 
  • DA504-00 - State significant development (SSD) consent issued in 2005 by the then Minister for Planning.
     

Key Facts

  • Clarence Colliery commenced mining in 1979 and mining operations produces high quality thermal coal that is supplied to both export and domestic markets.
  • Mining methods at Clarence Colliery are bord and pillar mining with both first workings and partial extraction methods (second workings). 
  • Clarence Colliery is approved to extract up to 3 million tonnes of coal per year.
  • Clarence Colliery employs approximately 300 full-time employees.
  • Clarence Colliery operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. 

Project Overview

The proposed 918 Panel forms part of the Clarence Colliery underground mining operation and is located within the mine’s approved mining lease area approximately 10 kilometres east of Lithgow, New South Wales.

The project involves the secondary extraction of approximately 0.35 million tonnes of coal from three sub-panels (918A, 918B1 and 918B2) using a panel and pillar partial extraction (shortwall) mining method specifically designed to minimise subsidence and protect environmentally sensitive surface features. The proposed mining is designed to maintain stable support pillars, limit surface subsidence and protect overlying groundwater systems and environmentally significant landscapes. Comprehensive modelling and specialist investigations indicate that mining can be undertaken while maintaining the integrity of key hydrogeological barriers and minimising impacts to surrounding natural features and water resources.

The revised mine design has been significantly reduced from the original proposal to avoid direct mining beneath key upland swamps, major watercourses, cliff lines and Aboriginal heritage features, while maintaining the integrity of important groundwater systems and supporting the continued operation of Clarence Colliery through the safe and responsible recovery of a valuable coal resource.   
The 918 Panel Project will support the continued operation of Clarence Colliery, sustaining employment, regional economic activity and the ongoing supply of high-quality thermal coal to domestic and export markets. By leveraging existing infrastructure and implementing a carefully refined mine design, the project aims to balance resource recovery with environmental stewardship, ensuring mining activities continue in a responsible and sustainable manner within the established Clarence Colliery operation.

Public Exhibition and Assessment Process

The Preliminary Documentation for the Clarence Colliery 918 Panel Project is being exhibited in accordance with Section 95A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) following a direction issued by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The Preliminary Documentation has been prepared to support the Commonwealth assessment of the proposed secondary extraction of the 918 Panel and includes detailed technical studies addressing groundwater, surface water, subsidence, ecology, geomorphology and potential impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance. The assessment focuses on the project's potential impacts on listed threatened species and ecological communities, as well as water resources associated with a large coal mining development.  

As part of the EPBC Act assessment process, DCCEEW has directed Clarence Colliery Pty Ltd to make the Preliminary Documentation publicly available through online publication and hard-copy display to enable community and stakeholder review.

The documentation includes the Preliminary Documentation Report and supporting technical assessments that informed the project design and environmental impact evaluation. Following the exhibition period, all submissions received will be reviewed and considered, with a summary of submissions and responses provided to DCCEEW as part of the ongoing assessment process.
 

Exhibition Period and How to Make a Submission

The Preliminary Documentation will be publicly exhibited for 10 business days from 22 June 2026 to 3 July 2026. 
During this period, interested community members, stakeholders and organisations are invited to review the documentation and provide written comments on the proposal.

Hard copies of the documentation can also be viewed at the Lithgow City Council Library and the State Library of New South Wales.

Written submissions can be lodged by email to:

approvals@centennialcoal.com.au
or by post to 
Attention: Mr Ron Bush, Centennial Coal, Level 20, 1 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

All submissions must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday 3 July 2026.

Assistance is for persons with special access can be organised by contacting Centennial Coal on 0436 034 401.

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