Protesters 'blockade' NSW mine project

PROTESTERS have locked themselves onto bulldozers as they fight against the development of the controversial Maules Creek coal mine in northwest NSW.

About 30 activists, including local Aboriginal community members, on Monday blockaded heavy vehicles which are at the Boggabri site to build roads and a rail line, Georgina Woods from the Leard Forest Alliance told AAP .

If the road to Whitehaven Coal's proposed $767 million open-cut mine is cut through the forest then animals, plants and sacred Aboriginal sites would be lost, she said.

And while admitting that stopping the project was "a bit of a long shot," Ms Woods said the protesters, stationed throughout the large forest, wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

"It's our intention to remain here the rest of the week and until this forest gets a reprieve and it's protected from this coal mine," she said.

About 20 police were at Monday's protest.

"Police rescue have gone in. They will be trying to remove our protesters," Ms Woods said.

"But we think they're set up in a way that they won't be able to be removed quickly."

Protesters also blockaded the site in December after the Federal Court dismissed an application by the Northern Inland Council for the Environment (NICE), which had called for the approval granted by former environment minister Tony Burke to be overturned.

Police cut the activists free before arresting them.

Whitehaven has previously said the project would create 800-plus jobs and enjoyed support from most local residents.

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