What is a declared mine?
As defined in Victorian legislation, a declared mine is a mine that has geotechnical, hydrogeological, water quality or hydrological factors that may be deemed to pose significant risk of harm to the community, environment and infrastructure. The Minister for Resources may at any time choose to declare a mine according to these criteria.
Currently, there are three declared mines in Victoria; Hazelwood, Loy Yang and Yallourn
Loy Yang
Located to the south of Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley, Loy Yang is Victoria’s largest open cut brown coal mine and is owned by AGL Energy. Coal is mined to depth of more than 200m. Loy Yang A power station is scheduled to close in 2035
Yallourn
Located to the east of Moe and at the intersection of the Morwell and Latrobe rivers, Yallourn mine is the oldest of the three open cut coal mines and will have produced around 1.3 billion tonnes when operations cease. It is also the shallowest with the mining depth less than 90m. Currently, the mine produces 18 million tonnes of brown coal annually to supply Yallourn Power Station, owned by Energy Australia. Yallourn Power Station is scheduled to close in 2028.
Hazelwood
Located to the south of Morwell, Morwell open cut mine ceased operations in March 2017 with the closure of Hazelwood power station by its owner, ENGIE. Planning for final rehabilitation of the 120 metre deep mine is underway with significant earthworks and bucket-wheel excavation activities focused on the safe, stable and sustainable rehabilitation of the site. Demolition of the former Hazelwood Power Station and mine infrastructure was largely finalised in 2022.
