00:01Well, workers here at HVO are certainly breathing a sigh of relief this afternoon at the news
00:07that the 19-year extension has been approved by the NSW Independent Planning Commission.
00:13The approval allows Hunter Valley Operations to continue mining until 2045, extracting
00:18an extra 429 million tonnes of coal.
00:22Now the IPC has imposed strict conditions on the extension.
00:25They include limiting exports to countries who have procedures in place in line with
00:30the Paris Agreement.
00:32Environmental groups had condemned the plan, saying they'll put the future of the environment
00:36at risk and threaten the agricultural industry here in the Hunter Valley.
00:40Singleton farmer Sophie Nichols told us she was devastated by the outcome.
00:44It's devastating and it's, you know, I'm tired.
00:50It's tired to farm when you know that this is coming on your doorstep and completely devastated.
00:57While there is a sense of excitement here this afternoon, the mine does need a final tick
01:02of approval from the Federal Government before it will be officially approved to mine to 2045.
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