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history of development
Coal deposits at Ulan were first worked in the 1920’s. The No.1 Underground Mine began producing coal in 1942 while the No.2 Underground Mine was developed in 1957.
In 1982 the Stage 1 major mine expansion was initiated with the start of the Open-Cut operations and scheduled expansions to the No.2 Underground Mine. The Stage 2 development for two new underground mines (No.3 & 4) was approved by the Minister for Planning and the Environment in October 1985. This work included a western extension to the existing Open-Cut mine which was initially approved in 1981 as part of the Stage 1 works.
Marion 8050 Dragline
In 1993 Ulan Mine submitted a development application and accompanying Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the extension of the No.3 Underground Mine. The Minister approved the extension in December 1993 and Mining Lease 1341 was granted by the DMR in 1994. In the same year an EIS and mine lease applications were lodged for relevant surface areas both of which were approved and Mining Leases ML1365 and ML1366 were granted March 1995.
In December 1998, Ulan Coal Mines Limited (UCML) submitted an EIS for the extension of underground N° 3 coal mining operations and construction of associated surface facilities for Mining Lease Application 80 (MLA 80). Approval was granted in December 1999. Subsequently, Mining Lease ML1468 was granted in May 2000.
In August 1999 UCML submitted a development application and EIS for the construction of ventilation fan, substation and associated works. Approval was granted in December 1999. Subsequently Mining Lease 1467 was granted in April 2000.
Development Consent was modified on 3 June 2002 to allow construction of facilities for the Bobadeen Irrigation Scheme (BIS), and again in December 2003 to allow development of a small basalt quarry (~12,000t/year) to provide material for use within the mine for purposes such as road base.
During 2005, a Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) and a development application were submitted for additional works to maximise the efficiency of coal recovery and handling associated with the existing Open Cut and Underground operations. Development consent was granted in December 2005, with the majority of works located within the existing mining lease areas, and the only additional land disturbance was associated with a minor extension of the Open Cut mine.
The underground mining operations under its current consents up until 2020 with the Open Cut expected to close in 2008.