Rio Tinto Coal Australia's (RTCA), have commenced a green offsets project in association with the expansion of one of their NSW coal mines. Green offsets are a means of progressing economic development while protecting the environment. The offset strategy has been developed in consultation with a variety of non government organisations (NGOs), and state government departments. The project will involve the protection, management and monitoring of over 750 hectares of land that provides habitat for threatened species; and research, regeneration and rehabilitation of woodland. This offsets 566 hectares of land for mining operations. This land comprises 126 hectares of woodland, 186 hectares of open woodland regrowth and 254 hectares of cleared grazing country. This leading project will establish a framework that can be used by other mines in New South Wales.