Boggabri Coal will be able to transport small amounts of coal by road and realign its mine boundaries under approval from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC).
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On Monday, the IPC signed off on modifications to five parts of the company's existing project approval for Boggabri Coal Mine including a coal stockpile area, drilling and exploration in the approved disturbance area, and an extension of the time frame for securing biodiversity offsets.
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Boggabri Coal submitted the modification approval to the Department of Planning and Environment, which referred the matter to the Commission because of a "high level of public interest in the application".
in April, the IPC held a public meeting in Boggabri to hear residents' concerns, which included road transportation of coal, delays in securing biodiversity offsets, the assessment process, and impacts of drilling and exploration.
The IPC approved the modifications, backing the department's assessment that there would be no change in approved transportation methods for operational purposes, and no increase in the already approved mine footprint or mining methods, maximum extraction rate, maximum transport rate, or environment impacts.
"The Commission has determined that the Modification can be approved, subject to the Department's proposed conditions," the IPC said.
"These conditions are designed to prevent, minimise and/or offset adverse environmental impacts and impacts on the community."
To read the Commission's Statement of Reasons for Decision, click here.
