A couple of Upper Hunter mine modifications have been approved by the Department of Planning. The first one, the Ashton mine is located near Singleton. The proposed layout of the mine has been changed to include diversions in two places that will stop mining under Bowman's Creek.
This modification was sought by concerned residents who felt that mining under Bowman’s Creek would cause the creek bed to crack and additional subsidence. Ashton came up with a series of measure that would cover the loss of groundwater from the creek system as per Mark Skelsey .
Mark Skelsey the department of planning spokesman said that a system would be put in place to limit the loss of groundwater from the creek into the mining panels. He said that setting back the mining panels from the creek and also through the use of water licenses the creek would be compensated for loss of groundwater.
The second one is the Ravensworth underground mine where coal production is set to go up with the approval of some mine extensions. The changes here will increase coal production by 7 million tonnes per year at the mine. It will also extend the life of the mine till 2014. About 195 jobs will be secured by this expansion.