GM³ is an Australian metallurgical coal mining company owned by Golden Energy and Resources (GEAR) and M Resources, both established participants in the Australian metallurgical coal industry, with a strong commitment to environmental and safety standards.

Our operations are in the Illawarra and Wollondilly regions of the southern coalfield of New South Wales, about 75 kilometres south of Sydney. We mine high quality metallurgical coal for use in steel making. Much of our coal goes to the local Port Kembla steelworks, supporting local manufacturing and regional jobs.

Steeped in coal mining history dating back more than 150 years, the region’s first coal mines opened in the early nineteenth century. Our history of coal mining around these parts began in 1935 at Wongawilli Colliery.

Soon after, collieries were developed to mine coal for the growing local steel industry and labourers settled into the area, bringing their families with them. Roads, schools and hospitals followed, and communities flourished.

It is a legacy etched into the way of life. We still work with our communities on local projects and provide grants to schools, sports clubs, community groups and others to help build strong communities.

GM³ ‘s focus as a metallurgical coal mining company is on safe and consistent production, with a strong operational performance to enable long-term opportunities for its metallurgical coal assets. The company is positioned for growth and focused on the future, with a strong commitment to long-term sustainability – social performance, environmental management, operational excellence, and economic contribution.

Our Appin Mine operates within the Bulli Seam Operations Project Approval (08_150) and is currently mining coal in the Douglas Park, Menangle and Razorback areas. The Approval document is available on our website.

Secondary Government approvals are required periodically to confirm the mine plan; this is called an Extraction Plan.

Our current extraction plan involves extraction of Longwalls 709 to 711 and 905 at Appin Mine.

While we have approval to mine, secondary approval covers exactly where we will mine, how we will extract the coal safely, how we will work with the community to manage subsidence, and how we will manage environmental impacts.

We use the longwall mining method which involves removing coal in a long rectangular block using a shearer.

The shearer is a circular piece of equipment with picks which shaves coal from the seam. The shearer moves forward and back on tracks as coal is continuously removed. The removed coal falls onto a conveyor behind the shearer to transport it to the surface.

To support the roof of the longwall during the mining process, large mechanical roof supports or ‘chocks’ hold up the area where the shearer is working. The chocks move with the shearer, with the roof safely falling behind the working area, forming what is known as the ‘goaf’. The falling roof is what results in movement on the surface known as subsidence.

The subsidence boundary shows the predicted area with potential effects due to the mining.

If structures of your property fall within the subsidence boundary you may experience subsidence on your property.

GM³ prepares a Property Subsidence Management Plan (PSMP) in consultation with property owners to manage potential subsidence impacts on private property assets such as houses, farm dams, and other infrastructure.

The PSMP is a baseline assessment developed prior to subsidence effects occurring at the property, subject to landholder participation in the process.

It involves a series of inspections to ensure existing property conditions are accurately recorded and that any future ground movement can be clearly identified.

These inspections may also identify potential hazards requiring mitigation measures or monitoring to be implemented by GM³ and/or the landholder before and throughout mining activities.

The hazard identification and risk management activities support compliance with relevant Work Health and Safety legislation.

PSMP inspections vary depending on the built and natural features present on the property and may include:

• Structural inspection – A condition assessment of structures such as houses, sheds, tanks, driveways, and retaining walls, involving visual inspections both internally and externally.
• Geotechnical inspection – A condition assessment of dams and steep slopes, involving a visual inspection of the land and surrounding features.
• Groundwater borehole inspection – A review and baseline monitoring assessment of any groundwater bores located on the property.
• Survey monitoring – Monitoring of subsidence around built features. This may involve the installation of physical survey marks and multiple surveys during mining activities.

Both Subsidence Advisory NSW and GM³ may require access to your property in preparation for mining activities.

Subsidence Advisory NSW – Pre-Mining Inspections (PMI)

Subsidence Advisory NSW undertakes mandatory Pre-Mining Inspections (PMIs) for properties located within designated zones where underground coal mining is planned.

The purpose of a PMI is to support the independent mine subsidence compensation process should damage occur as a result of mining. Property owners may not be eligible to lodge a compensation claim if a mandatory PMI was offered and access for the inspection was refused.

Under the current procedures, inspection outcomes completed by Subsidence Advisory NSW are not shared with mining companies, maintaining the independence of the compensation process.

Properties located within mandatory PMI zones will be identified directly by Subsidence Advisory NSW and landholders may be contacted by mail, email, or in person.

GM³ – Property Subsidence Management Plan (PSMP)

Separately, GM³ may also seek landholder participation in a Property Subsidence Management Plan (PSMP) process to assist in managing potential subsidence impacts on private property assets and infrastructure.

The PSMP focuses on identifying property features, monitoring requirements, and potential mitigation measures that may be required before and during mining activities.

Your rights are protected by law and you can seek compensation to fix damage caused by mine subsidence through the New South Wales government agency, Subsidence Advisory NSW.

Subsidence Advisory NSW is an independent body. They will manage your claim throughout the process and liaise with us as required. This ensures an independent process is maintained.

To lodge a claim with Subsidence Advisory NSW and learn more about the process, call (02) 4908 4300 or visit www.nsw.gov.au/subsidence-advi...

You are also welcome to contact us on 1800 102 210 or community@gm3.au if you experience serviceability or safety issues you believe may have been caused by subsidence.