Company knowledge base · Coal
Whitehaven Coal
An Australian coal producer operating open-cut and underground mines across New South Wales and Queensland, supplying metallurgical and thermal coal markets.
At a glance
Gunnedah Basin, NSW · Bowen Basin, QLD
Whitehaven's producing portfolio spans the Gunnedah and Bowen basins. The profiles below distinguish the five named producing mines shown in Whitehaven's current mine pages from development projects and sites already in rehabilitation.
This independent summary does not imply affiliation with the operator. Operational status, ownership and mine plans can change; follow the linked company sources for current detail.
Mine and project directory
8 Australian operations, mapped in plain English.
Operating mines are separated from development, care-and-maintenance and rehabilitation assets. Status and mine plans can change, so each profile links to the operator's current record.
Location73 km south-east of Emerald, Bowen Basin, QLD
Blackwater Mine
A long-life operation producing mainly metallurgical coal, with some high-energy thermal coal. Whitehaven acquired the mine in 2024 and now holds 70% alongside Nippon Steel and JFE Steel.
- Mine type
- Open cut · dragline strip mining
- Operating system
- Multi-seam dragline and truck-shovel mining, onsite coal preparation, rail to the RG Tanna terminal at Gladstone.
- Workforce lens
- Around 2,000 people reported by Whitehaven across production, maintenance, CHPP, technical and support work.
Location30 km south-east of Moranbah, Bowen Basin, QLD
Daunia Mine
A metallurgical-coal mine opened in 2013 and acquired by Whitehaven in 2024. The operation now runs its haul-truck fleet in fully autonomous mode.
- Mine type
- Open cut · autonomous haulage
- Operating system
- Truck-shovel mining, autonomous haulage, coal handling and preparation, then shared Bowen Basin rail and export infrastructure.
- Workforce lens
- About 720 people reported, including autonomous control, field response, mobile maintenance, CHPP and technical roles.
Location45 km south-east of Narrabri, Gunnedah Basin, NSW
Maules Creek Mine
Whitehaven's largest NSW coal mine, operating since 2015 and producing high-energy thermal coal from a large open-cut system.
- Mine type
- Open cut · ultra-class fleet
- Operating system
- Ultra-class mobile fleet, coal preparation and rail connection through the Hunter Valley network to Newcastle export terminals.
- Workforce lens
- Roughly 700 people reported across owner and contractor production, maintenance, processing and technical services.
Location17 km south-east of Narrabri, Gunnedah Basin, NSW
Narrabri Mine
Whitehaven's only underground mine. Its automated longwall system produces thermal coal and operates separately from the open-cut task mix found elsewhere in the portfolio.
- Mine type
- Underground · longwall
- Operating system
- Underground development and longwall extraction, coal handling and preparation, rail to the Port of Newcastle.
- Workforce lens
- Around 500 people reported, with underground production, electrical, mechanical, ventilation, gas and control-room disciplines.
Location16 km north-east of Boggabri, Gunnedah Basin, NSW
Tarrawonga Mine
A foundation Whitehaven mine producing thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal for export markets.
- Mine type
- Open cut · truck and excavator
- Operating system
- Open-cut extraction, regional coal handling and rail connection to Newcastle through the Hunter Valley coal chain.
- Workforce lens
- About 180 people reported across production, mobile maintenance, environment and operational support.
LocationApproximately 25 km north of Gunnedah, NSW
Vickery Extension Project
A large approved development in the Gunnedah Basin. It should not be treated as an operating mine or a source of guaranteed vacancies until Whitehaven confirms execution and mobilisation.
- Mine type
- Proposed open cut
- Operating system
- Proposed mine, processing and rail-loading infrastructure designed to connect with the established NSW coal chain.
- Workforce lens
- If developed, demand would move from construction and SMP work into production, maintenance, CHPP and technical roles.
LocationApproximately 30 km south-east of Moranbah, Bowen Basin, QLD
Winchester South Project
A proposed metallurgical-coal project near established Bowen Basin infrastructure. Project status, timing and employment demand remain subject to approvals and company decisions.
- Mine type
- Proposed open cut
- Operating system
- Proposed truck-shovel mine, coal preparation and connection to Queensland's multi-user rail and port network.
- Workforce lens
- Potential construction, mining, maintenance, CHPP, environment and technical-services work if the project proceeds.
Location4 km south of Werris Creek, north-west NSW
Werris Creek Mine
The mine shipped its final coal in June 2024 and has moved into final rehabilitation. It remains a worksite, but its role mix is closure-focused rather than production-focused.
- Mine type
- Former open cut
- Operating system
- Earthworks, water management, landform establishment, monitoring and progressive relinquishment replace the former rail-to-Newcastle production chain.
- Workforce lens
- Rehabilitation, environment, civil earthworks, water, survey and compliance roles are more relevant than production vacancies.
Follow the commodity
Coal mine to terminal
See how extraction, processing, transport and the final customer handover differ from the Pilbara iron ore model.
Workforce lens
Roles across the operating chain.
Job titles, rosters, residential requirements and contractor arrangements differ by site. Use the employer's current advertisement and position description.
Open-cut operatorsUnderground minersCHPP operatorsElectriciansMechanical fittersHD fittersAuto electriciansVentilation rolesGeologistsMaintenance plannersTrain-loadout operatorsHealth and safety
Official careers site ↗Sources
Start with the operator.
Checked 30 August 2026. Company pages and mine plans change; these links are the current primary reference points.
Official company website ↗