Whitehaven coal
Blackwater open cut coal mine
The Blackwater open cut coal mine is one of the largest producing metallurgical coal mines in Queensland. It is situated 73 kilometres south east of Emerald, on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu people.
Operating since 1967, the Blackwater mine has a strike length of 80 kilometres and is one of nine metallurgical coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
The Blackwater mine produces predominantly low-ash, low-sulphur metallurgical coal products, as well as high energy thermal coal.
Read moreRead less| Operation | Blackwater mine |
| Ownership | Whitehaven 70%, Nippon Steel 20%, JFE Steel 10% |
| Commenced operations | Opened in 1967, acquired by Whitehaven in 2024 |
| Location | 73 kilometres south east of Emerald in Queensland |
| Type of operation | Open-cut metallurgical coal mine |
| Operating hours | 24/7 |
| JORC Resources | 1,837Mt |
| Expected mine life | In excess of 50 years |
| Stage of operation | In operation |
| Workforce | ~2000 |
Rehabilitation
More on rehabilitationBlackwater has progressively advanced over 3,400 ha of existing rehabilitation towards achieving its nominated post-mining land uses of cattle grazing and woodland habitat.
Blackwater’s extensive mine life has resulted in rehabilitation practices changing over time. Initially, areas of rehabilitation were constructed by regrading dragline spoil rows to undulating plains and rises. Draglines were then replaced by dozers, resulting in longer, more uniform slopes that mimic natural drainage lines and aim to minimise erosion. With a historic focus on establishing pasture-based grazing systems, post-mining land use targets now include a suite of pasture land and woodland habitat.
Blackwater and Daunia overview video
Regulatory documents
Blackwater South Coking Coal Project
Blackwater North Extension Project
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Application to Amend EA
650.98 KB -
EA Amendment Supporting Document
82.70 MB -
Appendix A - Soils and Land Suitability Assessment
46.52 MB -
Appendix B - Surface Water Assessment
49.05 MB -
Appendix C - Groundwater Impact Assessment
174.88 MB -
Appendix D - Terrestrial Ecological Assessment
28.58 MB -
Appendix E - Aquatic Ecology and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Assessment
134.61 MB -
Appendix F - Air Quality Assessment
6.19 MB -
Appendix G - Greenhouse Gas Management and Abatement Plan
4.93 MB -
Appendix H - Noise and Blasting Assessment
5.96 MB -
Appendix I - Geochemistry Assessment
3.74 MB
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Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (Ex Appendices)
24.80 MB -
Appendix 4.2-BWM PRCP-Hydrogeology Assessment (SLR)
181.51 MB -
Appendix 4.3-BWM PRCP-Material Characterisation (Landloch)
4.36 MB -
Appendix 4.4-BWM PRCP-Community Consultation Plan & Register (WHC)
1.67 MB -
Appendix 4.5-BWM PRCP-Voids in Floodplain Modelling (WRM)
11.12 MB -
Appendix 4.6-BWM-PRCP-Final Landform Flood Assessment (WRM)
28.09 MB -
Appendix 4.7-BWM PRCP-Waste Characterisation (Terrenus)
13.18 MB -
Appendix 4.8a BWM PRCP-Landform Design (Landloch) - Report
69.32 MB -
Appendix 4.8a BWM PRCP-Landform Design(Landloch) - Appendicies - Part 1
149.22 MB -
Appendix 4.8a BWM PRCP-Landform Design(Landloch) - Appendicies - Part 2
128.26 MB -
Appendix 4.8b-BWM PRCP-LEM TSFs (Landloch)
4.65 MB -
Appendix 4.9-BWM PRCP-Concept Cover Design (Henderson Geotech)
263.49 KB -
Appendix 4.10-BWM PRCP-Sirius Creek Diversion Concept Design (Engeny)
19.62 MB -
Appendix 4.11-BWM PRCP-Taurus Creek Diversion Concept Design (Engeny)
18.52 MB -
Appendix 4.12-BWM PRCP-Rockland Ck Diversion Concept Design (Engeny)
5.80 MB -
Appendix 4.13-BWM PRCP-Deep Ck Diversion Concept Design (Engeny)
16.80 MB -
Appendix 4.14-BWM PRCP-Void Closure Plan (ERM)
10.03 MB -
Appendix 4.15a-BWM PRCP Highwall Stability (Henderson Geotech)
385.05 KB -
Appendix 4.15b-BWM Lowwall Stability (Henderson Geotech)
860.48 KB -
Appendix 4.16-BWM PRCP-Final Void Water Balance (WRM)
3.52 MB -
Appendix 4.17a-BWM PRCP-UG Geotechnical Considerations (Byrnes Geotech)
6.34 MB -
Appendix 4.17b-BWM PRCP-Memo Augering Ramp 82 82S (Byrnes Geotech)
312.55 KB -
Appendix 4.18-BWM PRCP-UG Surface Cracks Vegetation & Habitat Assessment (Lyngco Env)
28.93 MB -
Appendix 4.19-BWM PRCP-Risk Assessment (WHC)
268.99 KB -
PRCP 20261012 Schedule EPML00717813 Whitehaven Blackwater Pty Ltd (Rev 3 V2 Oct 2026)
4.12 MB -
Figures
12.07 MB
Contacts
Blackwater Mine
Contact us for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.
Acquisition of Daunia and Blackwater
In October 2023, Whitehaven announced the acquisition of 100% of both the Daunia and Blackwater coal mines from BHP Group and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd (BMA) in a highly attractive and transformative acquisition. Whitehaven took ownership following completion of the acquisition on 2 April 2024.
Further information is available here.
Sell down of 30% of Blackwater mine
On 31 March 2025, Whitehaven completed the sell down of 30% of Blackwater mine to Nippon Steel (20%) and JFE Steel (10%). Effective economic ownership of the joint venture commenced 1 April 2025.
Further information is available below:
Whitehaven to sell 30% of Blackwater coal mine for US$1.08 billion.
Whitehaven’s sell down of 30% of Blackwater mine to complete on 31 March 2025.