Ivanhoe Rehabilitation

About Ivanhoe Colliery 

Ivanhoe Colliery is a legacy mine site located approximately 22 km north-west of Lithgow and is accessible via Boulder Road.

Ivanhoe Colliery is comprised of 4 former coal mining operations known as:

  • Ivanhoe No.1
  • Ivanhoe No.1 Open Cut
  • Ivanhoe No.2 
  • Ivanhoe North

Ivanhoe Coal Pty Limited (Ivanhoe Coal) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centennial Coal Company Ltd (Centennial Coal).

The area surrounding Ivanhoe consists of various operating and non-operating open cut and underground coal mines, mining infrastructure, Mt Piper Power Station (MPPS) and electricity transmission infrastructure. 

History of Operations

  • Ivanhoe No.1 first commenced coal production in 1893 to supply coal to the Portland Cement Works, with production ceasing in 1940. Coal was extracted using underground mining techniques. 
  • Ivanhoe No.1 Open Cut utilised open cut mining methods to extract coal from the site between 1981 and 1983. Around 1.6 million tonnes of coal from Ivanhow was used at Wallerawang Power Station. 
  • Ivanhoe No.2 began underground mining operations in 1952. The coal was washed on site before being transported by truck to the local industrial market and the Mt Piper and Wallerawang Power Stations. The site was placed on care and maintenance in 2005.
  • Ivanhoe North was approved in 2007 to extract remaining coal reserves and rehabilitate the old mining areas within Mining Lease ML 1627. Mining commenced in 2009 and ceased in 2012. Since then, activities have been limited to environmental management, monitoring, decommissioning, and rehabilitation. These rehabilitation works are now in an advanced stage.

There are no current development consent associated with Ivanhoe No.1, Ivanhoe No.1 Open Cut and Ivanhoe No.2. These former mining areas operated under approval that pre-dated the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Ivanhoe Rehabilitation Project 

Centennial Coal has undertaken a review of the post mining land uses, and identified opportunities for alternative land uses to those previously described.

A new approval is required to undertake certain rehabilitation activities, including changes to rehabilitation requirements that would facilitate alternative post mining land uses.

The Ivanhoe Colliery Rehabilitation and Post‑Mining Land Use Project will transform a legacy mining area into safe, stable and productive land. The project involves sealing historic mine entries, reshaping disturbed landforms, remediating contamination where needed, and upgrading drainage, access and remaining infrastructure. 

Rehabilitation will support future post‑mining land uses such as eco‑tourism, biodiversity conservation, industrial reuse and a grid‑scale battery energy storage system. 

Key Features of the Project

  • Rehabilitation of former mining domains across Ivanhoe No.1, Ivanhoe No.1 Open Cut and Ivanhoe No.2.
  • Sealing, filling and stabilising historic mine entries and adits.
  • Reshaping of landforms to create safe, stable, non‑polluting final landforms.
  • Selective retention, repair or adaptive reuse of heritage‑significant structures.
  • Rehabilitation designed to support proposed future land uses such as a BESS, eco‑tourism and industrial reuse.
  • Provides ongoing employment for the local workforce during rehabilitation works.
  • Facilitates new long‑term jobs through proposed eco‑tourism, industrial operations and renewable‑energy developments.
  • Maintains local economic activity and supports small businesses, services and community facilities.
  • Increases the future economic value of the land by enabling productive post‑mining uses.
  • Rehabilitation designed to create safe, stable, non‑polluting landforms consistent with best‑practice mine closure standards.
  • Biodiversity benefits through revegetation with native species, weed and pest management, and long‑term habitat recovery.
  • Careful management of heritage values, including conservation and public interpretation of key historical features.

Project Status

Completed
Project Announced
In Progress
Scoping Report
In Progress
Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) issued
In Progress
Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Pending
EIS submission and exhibition
Pending
Response to submissions
Pending
Planning Approval

Community Consultation

Centennial Coal believes that successful projects are built on collaboration and understanding. That’s why we’re committed to engaging with the community throughout every stage of our development projects.

Community consultation is at the heart of our approach, as we recognise the invaluable insights and perspectives that residents, businesses, and stakeholders bring to the table. By fostering open dialogue and transparent communication, we ensure that our projects meet regulatory requirements and align with the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. 

Stay in the loop

Contact

approvals@centennialcoal.com.au

0436 034 401

Ron Bush
General Manager
Development & Approvals