Our Future Plans

Continuing to mine at Wilpinjong will support local jobs, businesses, exports and the community plus provide affordable and reliable energy for Australian businesses and households while the world works to reduce emissions.

The path forward

The Wilpinjong Mine is planning to modify and extend its operations, which will continue to support local jobs, the economy and the community.

There is a critical role for coal in the energy economy of the future. Our coal will provide reliable and affordable energy while the world works to reduce emissions.

Our future plans will ensure Wilpinjong can continue as one of the lowest-emission coal miners in the region.

Our plan aligns with the objectives of the NSW Government’s Strategic Statement on Coal Exploration and Mining which recognises the importance of mining to regional communities such as Mudgee, Gulgong, Dunedoo and Merriwa.

Our contributions to the community

0 jobs

And ~200 roles for specialist contractors

$ 0 M

Direct economic contribution to NSW

$ 0 M

In wages to local employees

0 %

Of NSW coal-generated power supply

Key facts

We currently provide around 25 per cent of NSW coal-generated power supply, helping to keep the lights on in homes and businesses.

Stage 1 will extend a current mining pit but will not change the intensity of mining or total production through to December 2033 with a rehabilitation period going into 2034. Our modified mine plan protects the Cumbo Creek corridor and the Rocky Hill cultural heritage complex as well as the jobs of our 570-strong local workforce until 2033.

Stage 2 will extend the current mining area by approximately 670 ha and extend the life of the mine to the late 2030s.

Project Timeline

Stage 1

Pit 8 Extension

2023 - 2024

Completion of detailed Mining and Environmental studies, community consultation, government and department liaison, including the lodgement of Scoping Letter to DPHI and lodgement of SVC.
1
We are here
2024 - 2025

Ongoing applications and assessments, community consultation and department liaison.

Preparation of the Modification Description and lodgement of EPBC Act Referral.
2
2025 - 2026

NSW and Federal Government decisions under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Act and the NSW Department of Planning Determination of Modification.
3

Stage 2

Pit 9/10 Extension

We are here
2024 - 2025

Ongoing detailed mining studies, planning and reporting, community consultation and government liaison.
1
2026 - 2027

Further environmental studies, assessments and submissions of applications to the NSW and Federal Government.
2
2027 - 2028

NSW and Federal Government decisions under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Act and the NSW Department of Planning Determination of Modification.
3

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilpinjong Mine is owned and operated by Peabody, which has operated mines in Australia for over 60 years.

Wilpinjong Mine produces high quality thermal coal for domestic and export markets.

Wilpinjong is about 50 kms north-east of Mudgee in the western coalfields of NSW, Australia.

Wilpinjong employs 570 permanent employees and ~200 specialist and general contractor positions. Visit our Career Centre on the Peabody website to view the latest jobs.

  1. A modification to our existing approvals to allow us to access more productive coal areas by extending one existing pit. There will be no change to approved annual production rates or our approval to mine coal until December 2033.
  2. A further extension of the mine area and its operating life in parts of the areas where we recently gained approval to explore. We’re currently conducting environmental assessments and mining studies.

We have clear lines of communication available to the community through our Community Consultative Committee (CCC). The CCC is run in accordance with NSW Planning and Infrastructure Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Community Consultative Committees for Mining Projects.

We welcome community engagement in this process. We host monthly ‘Have a Chat’ sessions where members of our leadership team will answer your questions or hear your concerns over a cuppa. We also offer a regular newsletter with news and updates; you can subscribe here.

Wilpinjong Coal has over the last 2 decades forged a strong and respectful relationship with the local community. At every stage of the exploration and mining process, we’ve sought to genuinely engage with residents to minimise the impacts of our mining activity.

Project consultation commenced in early 2004 with the establishment of a Project Community Consultative Committee (CCC).

Other forms of consultation have included regular contact with surrounding landholders, baseline studies and a water bore census. Project consultation with the Aboriginal community included introductory meetings to describe the Project and discuss cultural heritage assessment, a site visit for Elders and Aboriginal community members, provision of reports and attendance by Wilpinjong team members at public meetings advertised/called by the Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council.

We also hold monthly ‘Have a Chat’ sessions on the first Thursday of the month 1:30 to 4:30pm at the Wollar Store. Members of our leadership team will answer your questions or hear your concerns over a cuppa. You can just drop in.

The Wilpinjong project will continue as one of the region’s lowest-emission coal extraction operations. Our efficient resource process is in alignment with the objectives of the Safeguard Mechanism policy.

A Project Environmental Protection Plan has been developed to provide for environmental management of the Project area and surrounds, the rehabilitation of Project disturbance areas and the establishment, enhancement and conservation of areas of woodland vegetation. The Environmental Protection Plan encompasses:

  • Environmental Management and Monitoring
  • Rehabilitation Areas
  • Revegetation Areas
  • Enhancement and Conservation Areas
  • Mine Closure and Completion Criteria.

The mining industry is our region’s largest employer. The Wilpinjong Mine provides 570 permanent jobs and ~200 specialist and contractor positions. We also support more than 1260 suppliers, many of them local, and our taxes and royalties help pay for schools, hospitals, roads and Police in our community.

Spending by mine staff and their families, as well by mines on goods and services, supports hundreds of local businesses and flow-on jobs. 

Without an approved extension to our current activities, our mine and the jobs it provides will not continue, affecting hundreds of local mining families, businesses and the local economy.

Our Community Grants Program provides funding to local community groups and sporting associations, schools and charitable organisations. We’ve built long-term relationships with many grassroots organisations such as Riding for the Disabled.

You can apply any time. Simply email wilpinjongcommunityevents@peabodyenergy.com.

The annual, approved production rates will not increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilpinjong Mine is owned and operated by Peabody who has operated mines in Australia for over 60 years. 

Wilpinjong Mine produces high quality thermal coal for domestic and export markets.
Wilpinjong is about 50 kms north-east of Mudgee in the western coalfields of NSW, Australia.

Wilpinjong employs over 600 permanent employees and ~200 specialist and general contractor positions. Visit our Career Centre on the Peabody website to view the latest jobs.

  1. A modification to our existing approvals to allow us to access more productive coal areas by extending one existing pit. There will be no change to approved annual production rates or our approval to mine coal until December 2033.
  2. A further extension of the mine area and its operating life in parts of the areas where we recently gained approval to explore. We’re currently conducting environmental assessments and mining studies.

We have clear lines of communication available to the community through our Community Consultative Committee (CCC). The CCC is run in accordance with NSW Planning and Infrastructure Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Community Consultative Committees for Mining Projects.

We provide a monthly ‘Have Chat’ sessions where members of our leadership team will answer your questions or hear your concerns over a cuppa. We also offer a regular newsletter with news and updates; you can subscribe here.

Wilpinjong Coal has over the last 2 decades forged a strong and respectful relationship with the local community. At every stage of the exploration and mining process, we’ve sought to genuinely engage with residents to minimise the impacts of our mining activity.

Project consultation commenced in early 2004 with the establishment of a Project Community Consultative Committee (CCC).

Other forms of consultation have included regular contact with surrounding landholders, baseline studies and a water bore census. Project consultation with the Aboriginal community included introductory meetings to describe the Project and discuss cultural heritage assessment, a site visit for Elders and Aboriginal community members, provision of reports and attendance by Wilpinjong team members at public meetings advertised/called by the Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council.

We also hold monthly ‘Have a Chat’ sessions on the first Thursday of the month 1:30 to 4:30pm at the Wollar Store. Members of our leadership team will answer your questions or hear your concerns over a cuppa. You can just drop in.

The Wilpinjong project will continue as one of the region’s lowest-emission coal extraction operators. Our efficient resource extraction process also aligns us with the objectives of the Safeguard Mechanism policy.

A Project Environmental Protection Plan has been developed to provide for environmental management of the Project area and surrounds, the rehabilitation of Project disturbance areas and the establishment, enhancement and conservation of areas of woodland vegetation. The Environmental Protection Plan encompasses:

  • Environmental Management and Monitoring
  • Rehabilitation Areas
  • Revegetation Areas
  • Enhancement and Conservation Areas
  • Mine Closure and Completion Criteria.

The mining industry is our region’s largest employer. The Wilpinjong Mine provides over 600 permanent jobs and ~200 specialist and contractor positions. We also support more than 1260 suppliers, many of them local, and our taxes and royalties help pay for schools, hospitals, roads and Police in our community.

Spending by mine staff and their families, as well by mines on goods and services, supports hundreds of local businesses and flow-on jobs. 

Without an approved extension to our current activities, our mine and the jobs it provides will not continue, affecting hundreds of local mining families, businesses, and the local economy.

Our Community Grants Program provides funding to local community groups and sporting associations, schools and charitable organisations. We’ve built long-term relationships with many grassroots organisations such as Riding for the Disabled.

You can apply any time. Simply email wilpinjongcommunityevents@peabodyenergy.com.

The annual, approved production rates will not increase.

Project Updates

5 July 2024

New General Manager at Wilpinjong Mine

Experienced mine manager Mark Eaglesham has been appointed as the General Manager at the Wilpinjong Mine near Mudgee. Mr Eaglesham

23 May 2024

Extension plans support jobs and community

We’re seeking government approval to continue mining so we can support local jobs, the local economy and the community for

Get in touch

Have questions or need more information? We’re here to help. Reach out to our team, and we’ll be happy to assist with any inquiries or provide further details. 

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