In 1995 Gloucester Coal commenced an open cut mine at Stratford 10km south of Gloucester and a further open cut mine, Duralie, was commenced in 2001, 20 km south, close to Mammy Johnson River, a tributary of Karuah River. The Stratford mine has been dug close to the Avon river and both the river and the village are affected by the blasting, industrial noise and air pollution. Duralie coal is brought by uncovered train to Stratford for washing and the high sulphur content of this coal is an added problem for the Avon River and residents along the train route.

The Stratford mine was proposed to be closed in 2003 but increased coal prices etc has led to expansion plans until 2030 from both Stratford and Duralie. [Look at the map to see how far Gloucester Coal's area extends.]

In addition new Exploration Licences have been sought by Gunnedah Resources west of the Bucketts Way. Coal mining and exploration areas now extend to less than 1 km from Gloucester's main street and south for about 35km. It covers several hundred sq kms and extends under the Avon, Mammy Johnson and Gloucester Rivers and many smaller creeks. The most recent exploration licence application now covers to the edge of The Glen Nature Reserve. .

Photo: Duralie Mine site. Coal mines ruin fertile food producing land.

THE COAL STORY...
Some millions of years ago, the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud area was covered with a lush growth of vegetation. Over centuries, this vegetation absorbed carbon from the atmosphere. It died and formed layers of compressed matter which retained the carbon content as it formed into coal. It was overlayed by deposited mud and sand, and by volcanic material which also compressed into rock. Movements in the earth’s surface folded and deformed these layers of coal and other materials. We can see just how these rock layers were folded when our roads cut through hills. Finally, a layer of organically rich soil was washed down, giving us the valley floor , and the fertile river flats which are our most productive areas.

Historically, mineral exploration and exploitation has been encouraged in order to promote the opening up of “new” country. This industry has been given unique privileges, including the right to occupy and exploit land owned by other companies and citizens. Governments have been persuaded to maintain the privileges for mining companies even though such laws are grossly undemocratic and make little economic sense.

When we we burn coal we release back into our atmosphere the tonnes of carbon that took centuries to accumulate. Coal burning is the second greatest cause of greenhouse effect and which is a major contributor to the climate change which is stressing populations throughout the world.

When we dig up the coal, we also release into the atmosphere methane gas which forms in the porous coal. Methane has six times more greenhouse effect than the carbon released by coal burning

Coal in the Gloucester-Stroud basin occurs at a number of depths. To date, mining has been able to access the coal strata using open cut methods. This requires millions of tonnes of soil and rock to be removed before the coal can be extracted. This overburden is piled high around the deep holes from which the coal is taken. It is considered economically and physically impossible to replace the material, so attempts are made to”reclaim” the land by land shaping and surface replanting.

In reality, it would take around 70 years to have the complex natural vegetation and fertile soil structures restored. Furthermore, we have been given examples of toxic leeching continung to seep from abandoned mine sites, with attempts to prevent the pollution of streams and the groundwater being undertaken at public expense. The companies that reaped financial benefit are often long gone.

Negative consequences are not confined to the areas excavated. Already we have heard local citizens complaining about excessive coal and road dust affecting their properties and water supplies. Noise of vehicles and blasting is intrusive. River bed cracking from subsidence deprives locals and downstream users of water supply. Subsidence also disrupts underground water supplies. We hear reports of dams and vegetation being affected. It was reported recently that 43 streams in the Hunter Valley “ no longer exist”.

Coal companies are very experienced in understating the consequences of their operations, and in obscuring the extent of the impact they have on a region.They invest funds into public relations, hoping to allay the concerns of each new community or area they wish to penetrate. However, the coal affected communities are also putting together their experiences and communicating widely.

When we look at the map of the areas which the mining companies intend to explore and mine, it is clear that our best farming land, our main river systems and our new residential properties cannot coexist with mining. Either mining OR our current system will prevail. They cannot both occupy the same locations.

Most of the coal taken is sold for profit overseas, so it is not needed for local purposes.

The methane gas company has located extensive coal beds. It is clear that the Barrington-Glucester-Stroud area has the potential to end up like Singleton Muswellbrook area.

Photo: Former farmland in the Singleton-Muswellbrook area. Is this our future????

When questioned, Gloucester Coal and Gloucester Resourcesl representatives could not deny the possibility that they would use longwall underground mining to access the deeper strata. One such possibility included the undermining of the Mammy Johnson river. The exploration licences also cover locations where other major rivers in the area converge near Gloucester. South-west of Sydney, it is this mining method which resulted in the cracking of the river beds and the virtual loss of the river. Disruption of underground water supplies is almost inevitable.

Look at the map to see how far Gloucester Coal's area extends.
Download: Coal Brochure
More Information: Glen Road Exploration Licences

COAL COMPLAINTS
If you have a problem with coal mining, is important that you exercise your right to complain as the company uses the lack of complaints to support its new DAs.  You should also keep a record of the complaint - date, time, problem who spoke to, any follow up etc.

Complaints lodged in this way become part of the public record and are tabled at the quarterly Community Consultative Committee Meetings.

Gloucester Coal are listed at
Stratford - 6558 8212 (office) 016 302 013 (24 hour complaints)
Environmental Officer - Tony Dwyer
Duralie - 4994 5720 (office) 016 301 970 (24 hour complaints)
Environmental Officer - John Trotter