The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption is currently; investigating, among other issues, the circumstances surrounding a decision made in 2008 by the then Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Mineral Resources, the Hon Ian Macdonald MLC, to open a mining area in the Bylong Valley for coal exploration, including whether the decision was influenced by the Hon Edward Obeid MLC (Operation Jasper).
There are now questions being asked about other NSW mining exploration licences and mining leases approved or extended between 1991 and 2012, with the media reporting allegations that an unspecified number of departmental files are now missing and therefore not available to the Inquiry.
Doyles Creek Mining, NuCoal Resources and Newcrest are three of the corporate names being mentioned in relation to alleged irregularities with their licences/leases.
Given the large number of exploration licences that have been granted over land on the NSW North Coast it might be advisable for concerned residents and community groups to investigate the application background of these licences, as well as the state political donation history of those mining companies involved.
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