Protesters chain themselves to land clearing equipment at Maules Creek coal mine site

Protesters have disrupted clearing operations at the Maules Creek coal mine in north-western New South Wales, locking themselves to the company's equipment to prevent clearing of the Leard State Forest, which activists say is home to critically endangered ecological communities.

Last year Whitehaven Coal was told by the Department of Planning to restrict clearing to between February 15 and April 30 each year.

Advice from the Office of Environment and Heritage recommended the clear felling should avoid harming animals during breeding and roosting periods and also during winter's hibernation months.

About 10 protesters locked themselves to the clearing equipment and police rescue crews took several hours to remove them.

Activist Sean Unwin said it was his first time protesting and he was "nervous" before locking himself on to the equipment.

"I grew up quite close to here and the north-west is really looking like it's going to be turned into another version of the [Hunter Valley] and that's really terrifying," he said.

He was arrested and served with a court attendance notice.

As protesters attempted to prevent operations from recommencing, about 100 protesters gathered in the Leard State Forest.

Local Ros Druce was leading the charge.

"[The Leard State Forest] has 396 different species in the forest," Ms Druce said.

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Protesters chain themselves to land clearing equipment at Maules Creek coal mine site