Local, experienced and community minded

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal (IMC) operates in the Illawarra and Macarthur regions of New South Wales, about 75 kilometres south of Sydney. We mine high quality metallurgical coal used in steel making. In fact, ours is one of the highest quality metallurgical coal products in the world. Much of our coal goes to the local Port Kembla steelworks – supporting local manufacturing and jobs

Our coal is used to create countless products – from the seat belt buckles that provide safer car journeys and the Colorbond® roofs that keep us warm and dry, to the medical equipment that can save our lives.

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company, headquartered in Australia with operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America.

Who we are

New insights to design safe and sustainable mining.

Exploration activities in the Macarthur region have been occurring since the 1920s, and we have held 14 Exploration Licenses for more than 20 years.

Before we can mine we need to understand the location, quality and geological features of the resource. We do this by exploring areas in advance of potential mining using different exploration techniques, including borehole drilling, 2D and 3D seismic surveying and aeromagnetic surveying. With this knowledge, experts can identify the locations best suited to mining and help us mine in a way that is safe, sustainable and efficient.

During exploration, we follow rules and guidelines in the Mining Act 1992 (NSW). Where exploration occurs on private land, we work closely with landholders and residents to agree on how and when we access their property, potential impacts and compensation.

To find out more about our exploration program, please call our free Community Call Line on 1800 102 210 or email illawarracommunity@south32.net

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EXPLORATION

Our mining leases are all regulated under the Mining Act 1992 (NSW).

First, we apply for an exploration licence which grants the right to do research into the quality, quantity and geological features of the resource.

Importantly, exploration does not mean that mining will follow. If the licence is granted, a strict set of protocols is imposed under the Act to ensure:

• environmental management
• protection and rehabilitation of the land and surrounding features
• compliance with codes of practice
• public safety
• community relations

An important feature of this licence is access of private land. The resource could be hundreds of metres below the surface and access to this requires an agreement with the landholder.

Further applications are required before mining happens. Like an exploration licence, a mining lease does not mean mining will take place.

Drilling a borehole is the most effective way to understand the coal resource while causing as little disturbance to the environment and community as possible.

Before any drilling occurs, we develop a relationship and agreement with the landholder to ensure that access to the property and location of drilling is mutually suitable. If the location has other residents nearby, they will also be consulted.

We may build access tracks and will need to create a space for the drill rig and operators. Drilling occurs during normal construction hours and involves boring a hole about 10 cm in diameter. The site is fenced to ensure the safety of equipment and workers, and to keep out livestock and wildlife.

During drilling, water is transported onto the site to assist the process. Importantly, drilling does not impact the water table and in some circumstances, equipment is installed in the borehole for long term water monitoring.

Generally, the process takes about eight weeks, although it may take longer because of inclement weather or operational issues.

Seismic surveys offer insights through non intrusive techniques.

While borehole drilling provides a sample of the coal seam at a single location, seismic surveys offer a map of geological features. Both techniques provide different pieces of information as we develop a picture of the resource and surrounding terrain.

Seismic surveys are not a regular operation and require specially designed trucks with technical equipment. The trucks drive along roads or in paddocks while using sound waves that reflect off different types of rock.

Before surveys occur on private land, an access agreement is developed with landholders and routes for the truck are mutually agreed to minimise the impact to land and livestock.

These surveys may also take place on public roads. Before this occurs, the community is notified of potential road closures. Any homes along the route are directly informed.

It is important to us that properties are left in a condition that is satisfactory to the landholder. Before any drilling happens, we seek to understand the needs of landholders and how they use their land.

We take extensive photographs of the site and use this to inform site preparation and rehabilitation. During the site preparation, landholders are kept up to date on the progress and can be involved if they choose.

We bring all water needed for drilling and collect water which we transport offsite for proper disposal.

During operations, we only access properties during appropriate conditions to ensure that access tracks are kept in safe working order.

Rehabilitation of each site is managed by our experienced team of rehabilitation experts. We pride ourselves on our capacity to reshape tracks to pastures and remove drill pads to seamlessly restore paddocks.

We love hearing from our community.

We are happy to provide more information on our exploration program or current operations, so please get in touch.

You can leave a comment through this portal or call our community line on 1800 102 210

You can also email illawarracommunity@south32.net

We have recently launched a Facebook page and would love to connect with you there.