Farming and environmental protection groups are celebrating a decision by a coal mining company to abandon its plans to mine the property of blind NSW farmer Mr Ian Moore, but remain concerned by its decision to continue exploratory work on surrounding properties.

NuCoal Resources has agreed to halt exploratory drilling on the Hunter Valley property of Mr Ian and Mr Robyn Moore while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the granting of its licence is conducted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The company's permit to conduct exploratory drilling on an area of farmland west of Singleton was granted to Doyles Creek Mining in 2008 by then NSW energy and resources minister Ian Macdonald. NuCoal purchased Doyles Creek Mining in 2010.

A report by legal firm Clayton Utz recently alleged that some licenses and leases granted by the former NSW Labor Government were outside proper practice and against the public interest to benefit ALP associates. The ICAC is now investigating the claims.

NuCoal's exploration activities in its Hunter Valley permit area were also the focus of a vocal anti-mining campaign and national media attention when Mr Moore, who is legally blind, joined the Lock the Gate campaign to prevent NuCoal from accessing his property.

NSW energy and resources minister Mr Chris Hartcher wrote to NuCoal last week asking the company to halt its drilling activities in the permit area while the ICAC investigation was underway.

In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, NuCoal said that it had had positive discussions with Mr Hartcher, and had agreed not to explore on land owned by Mr Ian and Mr Robyn Moore for the duration of the exploration licence.

However it said it would continue exploration activities on land where it had access agreements in place with landowners, and on land which NuCoal owns.

(Sourced from www.beefcentral.com)