The company pleaded guilty in the Land and Environment Court for failing to comply with the project approval, specifically for constructing a coal truck haul road outside of the approved location. 

A sentencing hearing for the matter has been listed for August 2016.

A department spokesperson said the company had co-operated with the compliance investigation.

“Strict conditions are placed on all approved major projects and companies must follow these rules,” a spokesperson said.

“The department’s compliance team has also fined Charbon Coal Pty Ltd for a separate matter.

“A $3000 penalty has been issued to the company for stockpiling waste rock outside of the approved area, which is a breach of the company’s approval conditions. 

“Our compliance officers work with communities across NSW to monitor major projects across industry, infrastructure, mining and quarries.

“The team conducts audits and spot checks without warning, as well as works with companies to ensure they are complying.”