YANCOAL has poured cold water on a suggestion that the Stratford mine might be an appropriate source of critical minerals.
“Yancoal has no plans to pursue the extraction of critical minerals or REE (rare earth elements) from coal waste or to undertake any exploration for these commodities at the Stratford and Duralie sites,” a company spokesperson confirmed.
It follows a report referring to 28 current and historic mines in NSW, at which sampling had identified potentially critical minerals and other high-tech metals hidden in waste.
The report, which ran in News Of The Area on 14 May, was based on a media release from NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos.
She said the sampling data “reinforces that NSW really is the state to be for explorers looking to find the next big critical minerals project.
“As key ingredients in our solar panels, wind turbines, EVs and batteries, critical minerals and high-tech metals are integral to our economic future.
“This pre-competitive data helps to minimise investment risk in exploration and identify new opportunities.
“More exploration means more jobs and more investment in regional NSW.”
However, when it came to Stratford, the Minister’s enthusiasm was premature.
Yancoal has applied to the State Government to develop the site as a Pumped Hydro and Solar Project.
“Yancoal is aware of ongoing Australian and international research into the presence of critical minerals and rare earth elements (REE) in coal waste,” the spokesperson said.
“[But] considerable technological advancements will be required before the commercial extraction and processing of critical minerals and REE from coal waste becomes viable.”
By John WATTS
