Boggabri Coal Environment
Boggabri Coal is committed to sustainable environmental practices and compliance with legislative requirements. We operate under rigorous approvals and management plans which are approved by the State and Federal Government.
Our environment staff work closely with government, independent consultants, and other mines in the area to manage any potential impact on the environment.
Through a regular monitoring program, we track the success of our environmental initiatives to ensure we are delivering on our commitment to preserve the region’s biodiversity and environmental outcomes.
Project area
The project area is located adjacent to and within Leard State Forest. The area is zoned for mineral extraction, forestry, and recreation under the Forestry Act 2012. The Leard State Forest was logged by Forests NSW in the 1980s in anticipation of mining activities.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation at Boggabri Coal is guided by approved management plans, including the Biodiversity Management Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan, which set clear performance objectives and completion criteria. These plans ensure rehabilitation is carefully designed, implemented, and monitored to restore ecological function and support long-term land stability.
Our rehabilitation objectives were formally approved in October 2023, and work is ongoing in line with the site’s forward rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation areas are currently at different stages, from landform preparation through to well-established woodland and grassland communities.
Monitoring and ecological restoration
Rehabilitation progress is monitored annually by specialist ecological contractors using recognised scientific methods. This monitoring compares rehabilitated areas with nearby reference sites to assess recovery and guide ongoing management.
Results show strong progress:
- Native species richness in rehabilitation areas is trending towards, or exceeding, that of surrounding reference ecosystems
- Vegetation in established areas is healthy and stable, with woodland canopy species developing over time
- Landforms are generally stable, with targeted maintenance programs in place to address erosion where required
Rehabilitation areas are actively maintained through:
- Supplementary seeding and planting
- Weed and pest management
- Soil improvement and erosion repair
- Habitat enhancement measures
To support wildlife return, we have also installed nest boxes and retained salvaged timber to provide habitat for native fauna while vegetation continues to mature.
Continuous improvement and long-term planning
Rehabilitation at Boggabri Coal is an ongoing, progressive process. Maintenance and improvement programs continue to strengthen ecosystem health, manage invasive species, and enhance biodiversity outcomes over time.
We are also developing a comprehensive mine closure and landform plan, which will ensure long-term stability, protect groundwater systems, and confirm that rehabilitated land can safely integrate with the surrounding environment.
Independent environmental audits have confirmed that rehabilitation is progressing in line with approved objectives, with established areas showing increasing ecological function and stability.
These outcomes reflect our commitment to responsible land stewardship and restoring land to support sustainable environmental and community outcomes long after mining has finished.
Offsets
Boggabri Coal has acquired more than 11,500 hectares of biodiversity offset areas.
Our offsets are strategically identified and maintained according to our approved Biodiversity Offset Strategy in order to:
- Offset mining operations
- Enhance a significant East West wildlife corridor, linking vegetation between the Leard State Forest, the Nandewar Range, and the Namoi River
- Provide quality habitat for threatened species in the region
- Protect, maintain, and rehabilitate White Box woodland communities in the region
An independent audit of our biodiversity offsets in December 2013 confirmed Boggabri Coal has exceeded the habitat area required under our approval conditions for the Greater Long-eared Bat, the Regent Honeyeater, and Swift Parrot.