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The bedrock of our open-cut operations

The Werris Creek open-cut coal mine is located 4km south of the town of Werris Creek in North West NSW. ​​

Werris Creek commenced operations in 2005 and shipped its last coal in June 2024.

The open-cut mine overlays and intersects the former Werris Creek Colliery, which was a bord-and-pillar underground mine operated by the Preston Coal Company from 1925 to 1963.

The mine produced both thermal and PCI coal with low to medium ash, low sulphur, low phosphorous and medium to high volatility. Coal from Werris Creek was transported directly by rail to the Port of Newcastle, where it was exported to our customers across Asia.

Operation Werris Creek mine
Ownership 100%
Commenced operations 2005
Location 4km south of Werris Creek, 15km north of Quirindi
Type of operation Open cut coal mine
Operating hours 24/7
Production approval 2.5 million tonnes run of mine coal per annum
Stage of operation Rehabilitation
Workforce 150 (during operations)
Rehabilitation
More on rehabilitation
Mining activities at Werris Creek ceased in June 2024. The site is currently undergoing final rehabilitation.

The mine’s rehabilitation is aimed at establishing a mix of native woodland habitats and agricultural (grazing) land. As the site is flanked to the east and west by biodiversity offset areas, rehabilitation is targetted at optimising the potential for creation of a wildlife corridor between the adjacent remnant native vegetation.

Rehabilitation at Werris Creek incorporates standing “stag” trees recycled from the clearing process. This provides instant habitat (and ecosystem enhancement) for native birds, bats and marsupials, as well as a variety of ground-dwelling species including reptiles and insects.

Progress

Approvals

Community

Werris Creek CCC Member Details and Contacts

Environmental Management, Monitoring & Compliance

Werris Creek Mine

FY05

Mining commences

FY08

Whitehaven moves to full ownership

FY10

Werris Creek Community Enhancement Fund established

FY13

Mining expansion completed

FY14

Production capacity increased to 2.5Mtpa

FY24

Mining concludes

Future Planning

Efficient, low-cost mining

Following the completion of the Werris Creek extension in late 2013, the mine continued to maintain its position as Whitehaven’s lowest cost producer. As the mine progressed through the second half of its operational life, Whitehaven began rehabilitating parts of the mine footprint in accordance with planning approvals.

Contacts

Werris Creek Mine

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

1800 WHAVEN (1800 942 836)

All contacts

Blast Notification

Next scheduled blast:

1:00 PM on 20th February 2024

*Time is Indicative and could be 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after
Blast number: 004

2024-004

Additional conditions:

Werris Creek Road Closed: NO

Information updated:

19/02/2024 7:30 AM