Caroona Coal Project

  • Ownership: 100 per cent
  • Products: Thermal coal
  • Location: New South Wales, Australia

In April 2006, the NSW Minister for Mineral Resources awarded the coal exploration licence (PDF 2.0KB) for the Caroona area to BHP Billiton. An exploration licence provides the BHP Billiton Caroona Coal Project team the opportunity to investigate the viability of coal mining within the exploration licence area. See the Location Map. Find out about our Community Fund.

Key activities included during initial investigations (concept studies) will be:

  • Community and stakeholder consultation
  • Planning and conducting regional exploration within the exploration licence area to determine the extent of coal resources
  • Conducting environmental assessments to understand the local environment such as water and noise, flora and fauna and cultural heritage
  • Identifying areas within the licence area for more detailed exploration and assessment

The Caroona Coal Project is in its very early stages, and the project team anticipate that studies will take between four and five years to complete. As the project team learns more about the area and potential changes, information will be distributed to the local community and other stakeholders.

The Exploration Licence Area

The Caroona Coal Exploration area is located about 50km Southeast of Gunnedah and 30km Northwest of Quirindi. The area covered by the exploration licence is approximately 350km2 and comprises part of the Department of Primary Industries held Authorisation 216.

The Kamilaroi Highway between Gunnedah and Quirindi passes through the eastern part of the exploration licence area, and the Werris Creek-Binnaway Branch railway passes from east to west through the centre of the area. See Exploration Map (PDF 136 KB)

Project Phase

The Caroona Coal Project is in its very early stages. Initial landowner meetings have begun. The project team hope to complete all meetings before the start of any exploration activities.

Environment & Community/Social Information

The Caroona Project is committed to BHP Billiton's health, safety, environment and community Sustainable Development Policy, Standards and Guidelines.

BHP Billiton is committed to an open and informative consultation process, and encourages all community members to be involved in the community consultation and participation activities.

Initial stages of the consultation have begun and have included discussions with landowners within and around the Exploration Licence area, Walhallow Aboriginal Community, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Gunnedah Shire Council, and State and Federal Representatives. Consultation has focussed on:

  • Discussing the scope of works involved in the exploration and preliminary assessment phase
  • Building community understanding of BHP Billiton and the approval process
  • Gathering information from land owners, key stakeholders, and the broader community

Downloads

Presentations Given To Consultative Committee

Community Consultative Committee

A Community Consultative Committee for the Caroona Coal Project has been established to provide a forum to address community concerns and to enable an open communication process between the community and the Caroona Coal Project team during the exploration period.

For further information on the consultative committee please contact:

Garry West
Phone: (61 2) 6362 5646
Fax: (61 2) 6362 7522

Links

Contact Details

Further information on the Caroona Coal Project can be obtained by contacting:

Stephen David
General Manager Caroona Coal Project
Phone: 1800 216 266
Email: CaroonaCoalProject@BHPBilliton.com