An openpit coal mine in the New South Wales Hunter Valley was approved by the Planning Assessment Commission almost a year after it rejected the project, Australia’s ABC News reported.

Despite opposition from residents and NSW Health the Ashton South East opencut project near Singleton was approved with conditions.

The Planning Assessment Commission rejected the project in December 2011 due to concerns about water and health impacts. It was referred back to the commission after Ashton Coal appealed the decision in the Land and Environment Court.

Further information was provided and the commission says substantial changes have been made to address concerns raised.

Some of the changes include extending a low permeability barrier, increasing the setback from Glennies Creek and operational controls to manage dust.

The mine south of Camberwell will produce 16.5 Mt (18.2 million st) of coal over seven years and will use existing facilities and infrastructure from the neighboring underground mine.