The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project to extend coal mining at the complex until the end of 2045.

The decision is a win for commonsense, local jobs, and the economy, according to Coal Australia chief executive officer Stuart Bocking.

“It won’t only be 1500 local wage-earners celebrating this decision, it will be the families of each of those; and it will be the over 700 local suppliers that create more jobs and more wealth for the local area, the state and the country,” he said.

“While Coal Australia welcomes today’s announcement it is imperative the New South Wales government takes steps to ensure this important approval cannot be the subject of frivolous legal challenges.”

Yancoal Australia, which holds a 51 per cent stake in the Hunter Valley Operations joint venture alongside Glencore, said the approval was a significant development for the region’s economy and the approximately 1570 workers employed at the mine and their families.

The state approval follows a six-year regulatory process in which HVO engaged with regulators and stakeholders, adapting its project design and operational framework to align with NSW and Federal Government legislative guidelines, environmental standards and net-zero policies.

Yancoal chief executiuve officer Sharif Burra said the project had enjoyed support from the vast majority of submissions made during the IPC public hearing, including from local and state government representatives.

“We are optimistic the final elements required can be secured, allowing HVO to operate the next 19 years to the benefit of our workforce, local business partners, regional community, shareholders, customers and the NSW economy,” Mr Burra said.

HVO also requires Federal Government approval from the National Environmental Protection Agency by December 31 for the continuation project, expected to involve capital works worth as much as $3 billion.

The Mining and Energy Union has welcomed the planning commission decision, saying it gave more than 1,500 workers and their families greater certainty about their future.

“HVO is an established mine supporting more than 1,500 jobs. Its workers produce coal that customers want to buy, and those jobs support families, local businesses and the NSW economy. This project deserved approval, and the Commission has made the right call,” MEU General President Grahame Kelly said

“Coal remains a backbone of the NSW economy. It and the people who work in the industry are critical to the state. As long as there is demand for our coal, we should be selling it and making sure the workers and communities who produce it share in the benefits.”

However the Climate Council said the project would unleash more than 800 million tonnes of climate pollution at a time when communities across NSW are already living through worsening floods, bushfires and heatwaves.

“This is a decision that every community in NSW will end up paying for, including those who are still recovering from worsening fires and floods fuelled by climate pollution,” Climate Council councillor and former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW Greg Mullins said.

“What NSW exports as coal, we import back as bushfires, floods, heatwaves and droughts. Climate harm does not stop at the border, and neither does the responsibility for it.”