THE PUBLIC have two weeks to make submissions on changes to Whitehaven Coal's Maules Creek mine.
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Proponents plan to extend the northern emplacement footprint and increase the maximum height of a section of the northern emplacement by one metre.
Community consultation is a vital part of the planning process, a Department of Planning, Industry and Environment spokeswoman (DPIE) said.
"Once exhibition closes, the department will collate and publish all submissions. The applicant will need to address all issues raised and the department will consider this response and the submissions as part of its rigorous assessment," the spokeswoman said.
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The transition has taken longer than expected due to "unexpected challenging mining conditions" like geological features and increased seam dip.
While the move takes place, the mine will need additional out-of-pit dumping capacity to keep production at the current rate by increasing the height of a section of the northern emplacement.
Maules Creek is an open cut coal mine in the Gunnedah coalfield, about 17 kilometres north-east of Boggabri.
It has approval to extract 13 million tones of coal each year until December 31, 2034 and employs about 650 people.
The proposed changes will incorporate macro and micro relief.