In the north west region of NSW, Whitehaven Coal operates two open-cut coal mines operating in the Leard State Forest and adjoining farmland. The company also has approval for an additional open cut mine, Vickery Mine, and also operates the Narrabri Underground coal mine, below the Pilliga forest and adjoining farmland.
Whitehaven’s proposed $400 million Narrabri Stage 3 mine expansion project (also known as Narrabri South) would extend the life of the existing Narrabri coal mine from 2031 to 2044. The Narrabri expansion could be the most polluting thermal coal mine in Australia, based on its fugitive greenhouse gas emissions.
Whitehaven also has plans for another new open-cut coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, the Winchester South coal mine.