Mining nearby the Nepean River raises concerns
Community and environmental groups are concerned over plans by mining giant BHP Billiton to extend their Appin coal mine in the Nepean river area next year. Recent state government approval for roads in the upper Nepean area for mining has local resident and environmental groups concerned about the prospect of longwall coal mining near the Nepean river next year. Longwall mining is a widely used method for coal however it has shown to have a damaging environmental effects when performed under rivers, one example being the Cataract river – a tributry of the Nepean. While BHP Billiton isn’t intending to mine under the river, they are hoping to mine the coal-rich areas near the river, with the distance being the key area of dispute. Roseanne Moore is a representitive of BHP Billiton, and she spoke earlier to Bill Birtles.