- Source: Mount Arthur coal mine
Mount Arthur coal mine is an open cut coal mine located near Muswellbrook, Australia. Opened by BHP in 2002, it is the largest coal mine in New South Wales. Until 2020 it produced coal for domestic and overseas customers, when it shifted to only produce for overseas customers. It has a mining capacity of 20 million tons per annum. 21 unique seams are mined. The mine employs 2,000 people.
In August 2020 BHP announced it intended to sell the mine. Having been unable to find a buyer, in June 2022 BHP announced it would retain the mine and seek to extended its licence from 2026 until 2030 when it would then close.
. Coal is moved by Aurizon via the Main Northern railway line to the Port of Newcastle for export. Until 2020, a 10 kilometre conveyor system transported coal to Bayswater and Liddell Power Stations.
In 2021, BHP reevaluated the price of the mine to negative $200 million. This price reflected rehabilitation and restoration commitments. The mine was worth $2 billion just a few years prior.
See also
List of mines in Australia
Coal in Australia