NSW will continue to green-light coalmine expansions – ignoring a warning from its own climate agency

Minns Labor government criticised over strategy as no new mines have been proposed for several years

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The New South Wales government will continue to green-light coalmine expansions, effectively rejecting a warning from its climate agency that approving new developments would be inconsistent with the state’s legislated emissions targets.

Releasing a statement on the coal industry’s future, the Labor government said it would no longer consider proposals for “standalone greenfield coalmines” on undeveloped sites. But it would continue to allow expansions and time extensions at existing mines.