NuCoal won't explore blind farmer's land

Mining company NuCoal has agreed not to explore on land owned by a blind Hunter Valley farmer.

The company on Monday announced it wouldn't explore on Jerry Plains farmer Ian Moore's property following discussions with the NSW government.

But NuCoal said it would continue exploration activities on other land it owns and on land covered by access agreements with landowners.

"We are pleased that we have been able to agree a sensible resolution that allows NuCoal to maintain its overall progress with the project in accordance with our schedule," NuCoal managing director Glen Lewis said.

Last week, NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher wrote to the company asking them to suspend all exploration activity at the Doyles Creek mining site, citing concerns about a current corruption probe and community concerns.

The NSW parliament has referred former Labor minister Ian MacDonald's 2008 granting of NuCoal's exploration licence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), after a report raised questions about the tender process.

The exploration licence, which was granted to Doyles Creek Mining Pty Ltd, covers 2278 hectares of land in the Hunter Valley.

The Doyles Creek site had also been subject to a Land and Environment Court challenge by Mr Moore, who had refused to let NuCoal onto his land.

At a special sitting of the court in Singleton last Tuesday, the company was granted access to drill three exploration holes on part of Mr Moore's farm.

Despite this, NuCoal will now not explore on Mr Moore's land for the duration of its exploration licence.

Energy Minister Chris Hartcher welcomed the announcement and he assured the company that their decision would not affect compliance with its licence.

But Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said operations should be entirely suspended.

"While one farm has been protected, many others are at risk from this coal mine and all NuCoal's exploration activities should be suspended until the ICAC investigation is complete," he said in a statement.

Trading in NuCoal securities on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) recommenced on Monday morning.

NuCoal bought Doyles Creek Mining Pty Ltd in February last year.

The decision was hailed as a major victory for the Lock The Gate anti-coal seam gas (CSG) mining campaign.

Lock The Gate president Drew Hutton renewed his call for a moratorium on all CSG development.

"The people of the Hunter Valley and in Australia generally have cried 'enough' with regard to mining on good agricultural land," Mr Hutton said in a statement.

"There must be a moratorium on all new coal mines and on all coal seam gas development until governments and the Australian people can make considered judgments."