Throw in a dash of xenophobia and plenty of media hand-wringing, and it’s easy to see why Shenhua Watermark’s public relations department would be a little jumpy.

Those jangled nerves were somewhat eased yesterday when the independent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) handed down its long-awaited review into the company’s proposed open-cut coal mine in Breeza.

The PAC found the mine was “approvable” with a few small caveats, including the need for Shenhua to undertake more water modelling.

The findings effectively make state government approval a fait accompli.

There could scarcely be a more potent symbol of the uneasy peace between farmers and miners in the region than this project.

Like Gaul in the Roman empire, the mine sits on enemy territory, smack bang in the middle of an area with a farming tradition just as rich as its soil.

Despite the smouldering tensions, however, it would be naive for anyone to believe the mine will not bring with it serious benefits for the communities of the north-west.

Chinese-owned Shenhua has estimated it will employ 600 workers in the construction phase and another 600 during production.

It is expected to yield $1.5 billion in state government royalties during its lifespan and the company has already promised $18 million for a community fund.

Shenhua has even promised Tamworth council, which is not directly connected with the mine, $250,000.

The question remains, does that largesse compensate for the potential damage it could wreak?

Liverpool Plains farmers say an effusive “No”, fearing the mine could dramatically drawdown water aquifers and jeopardise productivity in one of the nation’s food bowls.

Those farmers have endured the worst mother nature can dole out – you better believe they’ll survive this.

And when they say the fight has only just begun, you better believe that too.