Whitehaven coal
One of Whitehaven’s three foundation mines
Tarrawonga is part of the bedrock of Whitehaven’s business since the company’s formation in 1999 in the Gunnedah Coal Basin.
The Tarrawonga open cut mine produces high-quality thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal for export markets with reserves to support more than 20 years of coal extraction. Whitehaven took full ownership of the mine in April 2018 after purchasing Idemitsu’s 30% joint venture interest.
Tarrawonga successfully utilises improved mining techniques to reduce overburden removal costs.
Whitehaven has also recently approved an expansion to its fully approved rate of 3.5Mtpa ROM coal by the introduction of a new mining fleet from FY20.
| Operation | Tarrawonga mine |
| Ownership | 100% ownership |
| Commenced operations | 2006 |
| Location | 16km north east of Boggabri |
| Type of operation | Open cut coal mine |
| Operating hours | 24/7 |
| Production approval | 3.5 million tonnes run of mine coal per annum |
| Stage of Operation | In operation |
| Workforce | 180 |
Rehabilitation
More on rehabilitation
Progressive rehabilitation has been underway at Tarrawonga since seeding first occurred in 2007. By December 2024, approximately 230 ha of woodland habitat has been rehabilitated.
Rehabilitation at Tarrawonga is currently aimed at woodland/forest habitat. Tarrawonga adopted a geomorphic rehabilitation design from 2023 allowing better drainage, less long-term maintenance and a more natural post-mining landscape appearance. It also supports successful restoration of native forest and woodland including the critically endangered White Box—Yellow Box— Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland ecological community.
As the mine rehabilitation progresses, agricultural land capable of supporting pasture for cattle grazing will begin to be incorporated, with the target of 257 ha by closure.
Continual rehabilitation improvement
Tarrawonga adopted a hybrid rehabilitation method to transition to the currently used geomorphic design method, which resulted in a blend of traditional contours and geomorphic design.
Progress
Tarrawonga Mine Timeline
FY05
FY06
Operations commence
FY10
Mine extension approved
FY18
Whitehaven takes full ownership
after purchasing Idemitsu's 30 per cent stake
Future Planning
100% ownership
In 2018 we purchased Idemitsu’s 30% joint venture interest in Tarrawonga to move to 100% ownership. The acquisition will add about 0.7Mt ROM coal to the company’s equity share of production in the future. Whitehaven will continue mining at Tarrawonga over the next 10 years at 3.0Mtpa ROM coal.
Contacts
Tarrawonga Mine
Contact us for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.
Blast Notification
Next Scheduled blast:
Wednesday the 5th of February 2025 at approximately 11.30AM
*The time of this blast is approximate and may be within half an hour of notified time
Blast details:
#1349
Road Closure:
No road closure required
Information updated:
04/02/2025