It is reported that Moolarben Coal has rejected claims a plan to modify its operations will adversely affect an Upper Hunter Rver.

The Moolarben coal mine, west of Merriwa, has been given New South Wales Government approval to modify its project to include the construction of a water sharing pipeline with the nearby Ulan coal mine. It also has additional approval for other minor adjustments to its original consent conditions.

The company has rejected claims its proposed water sharing arrangements have been conducted in a secretive manner. It also says there will be no changes that could affect the natural flows in the Goulburn River.

Claims that the modification could result in the riverbed cracking have also been dismissed.

Moolarben Coal said that it is also proposing several biodiversity measures to offset the impact of land clearing proposed in the modification.

(Sourced from www.abc.net.au)