June 2013, the EPBC Act was amended to include a new matter of...

June 2013, the EPBC Act was amended to include a new matter of national environmental significance in relation to coal mining developments, known as the 'water trigger'

The way this Act is being administered means new coal mining EIS submissions need to automatically consider the Federal water trigger. This means at least three years worth of background data will be required before an assessment can be conducted.

This means the development time for a new mine from Concept to production is now more like six years at best and probably 8 - 10 years.

Any existing projects with an approved EIS & EMP will be worth gold. (At some point)