BATHURST Regional Council has granted consent for a limestone mine to be established on land to the south of Trunkey Creek.
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A development application was lodged by Rangott Mineral Exploration PTY LTD and voted on by councillors on Wednesday night.
The DA listed the site of the mine as 942 Curragh Road, Copperhannia, a site where limestone extraction has occurred in the past.
Material will be extracted from two pits on the northern and southern sides of Curragh Road where extraction has occurred already.
According to a report to council, previous exploratory drilling has indicated that the entire area is underlain with high quality limestone to a depth exceeding 40 metres.
It is expected that the lifespan of the proposed mine will be 21 years.
Previous exploratory drilling has indicated that the entire area is underlain with high quality limestone to a depth exceeding 40 metres.
Over that time, an estimated 69,000 tones of material will be extracted.
No more than 3000 tonnes will be extracted annually, however the average is anticipated to be closer to 1200 tonnes.
It is anticipated that extraction campaigns will occur up to six times a year for an average of four days per campaign.
Council’s report states that it is likely some years will see no extraction at all, while blasting will only need to occur every two to five years.
The limestone will be used as architectural aggregate in products such as terrazzo tiles and pavers.
During the exhibition period of the DA, there were no submissions received from concerned parties.
A number of government agencies also looked at the DA and did not raise any significant issues that would prevent it getting approval.
In addition to establishing the mine, the developer also sought to upgrade the intersection of the Curragh Road and Goulburn Road.
Further information on this part of the project was received, seeing the DA go on public exhibition for a second time.
No submissions were received.