Glendell is a multi-seam coal deposit containing a number of seams of the Foybrook Formation, which is the lowermost coal bearing formation of the Wittingham Coal Measures.

Mineable coal seams at Glendell range in thickness from 0.3m to 3.5m including Pikes Gully, Arties, Upper Liddell, Middle Liddell, Lower Liddell and Barrett seams.

Glendell was granted DA 80/952 in May 1993.

The DA was modified in 1997 to enable the extraction of coal from an undeveloped coal reserve, totalling 3.6Mtpa of ROM coal. The modification allowed for the construction of a CHPP and the MTO rail loop, and for Glendell to be integrated into the MOC. A further modification of the DA 80/952 was undertaken in February 2008. This was to allow for mining operations to continue until the end of June 2024, and to permit extraction of up to 4.5Mt of ROM coal annually. Modification 3 of DA 80/952 was approved in late 2016. The modification permits the relocation of a section of the 132 kilovolt (kV) powerlines, to allow for the continuation of mining in the Barrett Pit.

Glencore is seeking approval to extend the open cut mining operations at Glendell, north from the existing Barrett Pit (Glendell Continued Operations Project (GCOP)). The extension of the current operations would extract an additional 140 Mt of ROM coal, down to the Hebden coal seam. This would extend the mining operations of Glendell to approximately 2044.

Mining and dumping will continue in the southern sections of the Barrett Pit and will transition to the north. Glendell has no planned rehabilitation for Barrett Pit as the dump sequence continues to be built in line with the existing approval. Next rehabilitation is scheduled for 2023. Liaison with regulatory agencies over determination of the GCOP application.

Eight seams are mined via open cut methods from the Lemington seam to the Barrett seam and range in depth up to approximately 200 m.

Glendell mined in a general south-easterly direction within the Lemington, Pikes Gully, Arties, Liddell and Barrett seams.

The approved mining area is approximately 685 ha in area and approximately 200 m deep. The approved mine plan consists of a number of benches to enable the recovery of coal from multiple seams within the target coal profile.

All ROM coal extracted is processed through the Mt Owen Complex CHPP.

Use of the CHPP to process ROM coal from Mt Owen Open Cut Mine (MTO), Ravensworth East and Glendell mines.

ROM coal extracted from all pits is hauled via internal haul roads to ROM stockpiles at the CHPP. When required,ROM coal is stored in-pit prior to being transported to the CHPP. In-pit ROM stockpiles allow flexibility in the mining sequence when the existing ROM Pad’s as well as clean coal stockpile are at maximum capacity. This is infrequently caused via external delays such as major railway shut-downs where washed coal cannot be transported from site to the Newcastle port. Coal from MTO is blended with Ravensworth East and Glendell and the three operations feed the CHPP and associated infrastructure, which has a total approved capacity of 17 Mtpa of ROM coal.

Processed coal, both semi-soft and thermal, are primarily transported via the Main Northern Rail Line to the Port of Newcastle for export, or by conveyor or rail for domestic use as required. The CHPP ........