Whitehaven Coal has won the latest court battle over its new coal mine in northern NSW.

The Federal Court in Sydney has thrown out a bid by an environmental group to stop work at the Maules Creek mine, near Narrabri.

The Northern Inland Council for the Environment had sought an injunction to stop Whitehaven clearing forest areas in preparation for construction of the mine.

The injunction would have applied until Justice Dennis Cowdroy had ruled on the group’s separate action against former federal environment minister Tony Burke’s approval of Maules Creek.

That case was heard last week with a decision not expected for another month.

The project has been targeted by opponents who say it will damage sensitive eco-systems and farmland.

Whitehaven says Maules Creek is one of NSW’s last major undeveloped coal deposits that will double its production and last for at least 30 years.

The company’s shares gained one cent to $2.02.