Malabar Coal 04/12/1723 Feb 2018 23:02
A NEW South Wales government decision to allow underground coal mining at Drayton South effectively gives a green light for Malabar Coal to buy Anglo American�s 88.17% owned Drayton coal assets for $86 million.
Anglo American Metallurgical Coal business CEO David Diamond said the company supports the NSW government�s decision to renew the exploration licence EL5460 and it reflects the company�s long-standing view that Drayton South has significant underground potential.
"This presents an important and significant opportunity for the Hunter Valley community and NSW. Any future mining approval would be subject to the very rigorous NSW Government approval processes,� he said.
�The underground mining proposal developed by Anglo American delivered a coexistence solution to reduce impacts and disruptions to the community and allows the region to continue to develop and flourish, which the Hunter Valley region has for generations.�
Anglo American and Malabar Coal entered into a sale and purchase agreement in April 2017 of Anglo American�s 88.17% interest in Drayton (including Drayton thermal coal and Drayton South project).
�This balanced decision is a significant, positive achievement for all stakeholders,� Diamond said.
"A proposed underground mine at this site would be completely different from past open-cut proposals � it would be completely underground," he said.