The Narrabri mine has been operating successfully since 2012

The mine is Whitehaven's only underground operation and employs around 500 people, the majority of whom live locally.​​

The Narrabri underground mine is approved to produce 11 million tonnes per annum of high quality thermal coal until 2031. The Narrabri longwall is fully automated and is one of the most advanced in Australia.

Operation Narrabri Underground Coal mine
Ownership Whitehaven 77.5%, 3 others each with 7.5%
Commenced operations 2012
Location 17km south east of Narrabri, 70km north west of Gunnedah
Type of operation Underground coal mine
Operating hours 24/7
Production approval 11.0 Mt run of mine coal per annum
Stage of operation In operation
Workforce 500
Narrabri’s post-mining land use will include a combination of native woodland vegetation, biodiversity offset areas, agriculture and water management areas. Since 2008, approximately 193 ha has been progressively rehabilitated towards these uses.

Rehabilitation is conducted as soon as reasonably practicable, as areas become available following longwall mining operations. Rehabilitation practices include (but are not limited to) sealing boreholes utilised for gas drainage and exploration purposes, and repair of surface subsidence impacts.

Demonstrating effective rehabilitation
In December 2024 Narrabri received its first approval of successful achievement of rehabilitation against completion criteria (from the Resources Regulator). This was for an area of surface disturbance associated with exploration programs, rehabilitated in 2019 – 2020

Progress

North west exploration licences

The Narrabri Mine has had two exploration licences (ELs), EL9455 and EL9466, approved under the NSW Government’s Operational Allocation framework.

For more detail download the fact sheet here

Environmental Management, Monitoring & Compliance

Extraction Plans

Narrabri Mine Timeline

FY08

Narrabri Project approved

Narrabri JV formed with sale of 7.5% stakes to Yudean Group, EDF Trading and J-Power

FY10

Sale of 7.5% stake in Narrabri

to Korean consortium

FY12

Longwall installed

Contacts

Narrabri Mine

Contact us for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.

General enquiries – 02 6794 4755

Feedback and complaints – 1800 WHAVEN (1800 942 836)

All contacts