Extractive Industry, Resource Recovery

Our firm not only provides specialist advice in coordinating approvals for extractive industry and resource recovery projects, it also plays a role in the design and formulation of an environmental management regime for each project. Our work also includes obtaining Section 4.55 modifications to existing extractive industry and resource recovery operations, as well as strategic advice and assistance with licensing.
Representative projects include the following:
  • Proposed resource recovery facility in the industrial zone at Gunnedah NSW, proposed to handle up to 250,000 tonnes per annum of waste. EIS for State significant development publicly exhibited and submissions considered. Current.
  • Approved landfill and resource recovery facility in existing quarry void, to handle up to 200,000 tonnes per annum of non-putrescible general solid waste. Marys Mount quarry. Approved by Northern Regional Planning Panel on 24 June 2021. EPLs since issued by NSW EPA.
  • Preliminary advice to waste operator in Queensland regarding sending back-end waste from waste transfer station on the Gold Coast to a resource recovery facility elsewhere in South-East Queensland. Included a review of relevant planning/development approvals and issued Environmental Authority. Advice provided in September 2021.
  • Review of potential landfill levy liability for waste management facilities in Queensland and New South Wales and identify options to mitigate this liability for client, who operates in both states.
  • Section 4.55 modification in support of allowing the importation, storing and blending of EAF Slag, fibre cement and ash with quarry product at Hebden Quarry, in the Upper Hunter. For SCE Group. Approved by NSW Land and Environment Court March 2022.
  • Town planning advice existing approved limestone mine in Gloucester NSW. Local council adopted the advice and amended the Mining Operations Plan, subsequently approved by the Resources Regulator in March 2020.
  • Town planning advice approved recycling facility in existing quarry at Valla NSW. Current project.
  • Approval obtained in March 2021 in support of a s.4.55(2) application to increase the rate of extraction at an existing approved quarry from 73,600 cubic metres per annum to 148,000 cubic metres. For Sheridans Hard Rock Quarry.
  • Town planning advice/due diligence report to to Ryde City Council regarding an existing waste transfer station including potential for establishment of a resource recovery facility on the site.
  • Town planning advice to enable the construction of a hardstand cement fibre board and wood waste processing facility as part of an existing recycling facility at Mayfield North, in the Hunter Region in August 2020. For SCE Recycling (Hunter Region) Pty Ltd.
  • Approval granted in August 2019 for a hard rock quarry at Rock Flat, south of Cooma, in the Snowy Monaro Council area. Maximum quarry production permitted 280,000 tonnes per annum. For SQ Licences Pty Ltd & Schmidt Quarries.
  • Approval granted in January 2019 for a hard rock quarry at ‘North Aminya’ near the village of Carrol, in the Gunnedah Shire. Maximum quarry production permitted 399,000 tonnes per annum over a resource of 4.55 million tonnes.For Namoi Valley Quarry Pty Ltd.
  • Planning approval obtained for existing basalt quarry operation, Guyra NSW, and preparation of subsequent Section 96 (now s.4.55) applications in support of two lateral expansions of the quarry. For Highland Quarries Guyra. Last approval issued in December 2018.
  • Approval for expansion of quarry west of Dorrigo NSW involving a total resource of 4.8 million tonnes of basalt and a production of up to 198,000 tonnes per annum. Includes preparation of EIS and quarry plan of management. Latest approval issued November 2018 for increase in quarry truck numbers, to a maximum of 66 loaded quarry trucks per day.
  • Section 96 (now s.4.55) approval granted for an increase in quarry production from 300,000 tonnes pa to 499,000 tonnes pa, granted in September 2016. Later modification approved for the use of ENM and VENM as part of the rehabilitation of Hebden Quarry, in the Hunter Valley NSW, granted March 2018. For SCE Group.
  • Section 4.55 approval granted for increased production, from 150,000 tonnes per annum to up to 250,000 tonnes per annum at lawfully operating quarry at Nerriga. Approved in December 2018.
  • Section 96 application, proposed intensification of quarrying, at Ruthven NSW. For Smith Plant Lismore Pty Ltd.
  • Jungs Quarry, Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast. Approval for a quarry producing 350,000 tonnes of quarry product per annum. Includes preparation of original EIS and approval and numerous Section 96 approvals allowing modifications to the quarry operations. Includes modification to allow production of up to 499,000 tonnes pa.
  • EIS hard rock quarry, Bodalla, on the NSW South Coast. Approval obtained for a quarry producing a maximum of 100,00 tonnes per annum.
  • EIS silica sand extraction Tanilba NSW, in the Port Stephens LGA. Approval obtained for a sand extraction operation with a total a resource of 1.5 million tonnes of sand used for glass making. For ACI Industrial Minerals.
  • Approvals for extraction of surface rock from quarry at Cudgen NSW. Last modification approval granted in 2016.
  • EIS hard rock quarry, Nerriga Road, Nerriga, NSW. Approval obtained in January 2007 for a new quarry producing 150,000 tonnes of basalt rock per annum over a life of approximately 32 years. For Schmidt Quarries.
  • Preparation of EIS and lead consultant in negotiations with QLD Premiers office for extraction of 8 million tonnes of silica sand and sand loading jetty North Stradbroke Island QLD. Approved.
  • Obtain various approvals for hard rock quarry at Central Bucca, on the NSW North Coast. Includes preparation of original EIS, Section 96 (now s.4.55) application, soil erosion and sediment control plan and expansion of quarry. Latest s.4.55 approval granted in May 2017 for increase in production at quarry.
  • Approved EIS sand extraction from mobile sand dunes, Anna Bay NSW. Approved.
  • EIS extraction of 125,000 tonnes per annum of sandstone resource, Maclean NSW. Approved. Subsequent Section 96 approval granted for increase in quarry production to 235,000 tonnes per annum. Included preparation of soil and water management plan, in 2018. For BD & MC Lewis Pty Ltd.
  • EIS “Karuah Red Quarry”. Approval obtained from local council for quarry producing up to 500,000 tonnes per annum of extractive material. Approved.
  • SEPP 37 (Continued Mines and Extractive Industries) approval for continued extraction of up to 233,000 tonnes of sand per annum from mobile sand dunes at Williamtown NSW. For Toll Bulk Sands.Approved.
  • EIS approved for amber sand extraction at Salt Ash, NSW. For ACI Industrial Minerals.Approved.