Coal and Allied has further development plans for its Hunter Valley operations pit near Singleton as it moves to secure the long term viability of its three mines in the region.

The Hunter Valley operations' Carrington West extension would give the mining giant access to an additional 17 million tonnes of coal over five years.

It comes just months after the State Government approved the 84 million tonne south pit project on the Hunter Valley site.

At the nearby Mount Thorley-Warkworth super pit, a final approval is currently awaited for a western extension of the Warkworth lease that would give the mine a further 21 year working life.

A 3 million tonne increase in production at the company's Bengalla mine is also on the drawing board.

(Sourced from ABC.net)