Moolarben Coal
The Moolarben Coal Complex is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Mudgee in Western Coalfields of New South Wales (NSW)
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About Moolarben Coal
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Moolarben comprises both open-cut and underground mining areas, as well as other mining-related infrastructure, such as a coal processing and transport facilities. Moolarben coal is exported to a range of international markets.
Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd (MCO) is the operator of the Moolarben Coal Complex on behalf of the Moolarben Joint Venture (Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd, Yancoal Moolarben Pty Ltd and a consortium of Korean power companies). MCO, Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd and Yancoal Moolarben are wholly owned subsidiaries of Yancoal Australia Limited.
Acting General Manager
Timothy Slater
Community
Community Support Program
Yancoal is committed to making a genuine positive difference in the communities in which it operates. The Community Support Program provides funding and in-kind support for projects by investing in initiatives related to social and community activities, education, training, health, culture and the arts, and the environment.
For more information, please email moolarben.csp@yancoal.com.au
To submit your application, please click on the link below.
CSP Application Form – Moolarben https://yancoal.grantplatform.com/auth/login/BnPmkyjb
Applications close 25th September 2026.
Blasting Information
No Blast Today
Scheduled blast
Date
24/06/2026
Time
12:00pm
Type
Overbruden
Location
Pit
OC402
Strip
32-33
Blocks
14-17
Affects Underground
Yes
Scheduled blast
Date
24/06/2026
Time
12:05pm
Type
Presplit
Location
Pit
OC402
Strip
32
Blocks
07-08
Affects Underground
No
Community Consultative Committee
Minutes from CCC meetings held prior to 2013 can be requested by using the Contact Us form. For other minutes and member details, click here
Moolarben Extension Projects
This section provides information on the proposed Projects and will be regularly updated as the Projects move through approval processes.
Moolarben will also prepare regular newsletters to provide updated information on the Projects. A copy of the most recent newsletter can be downloaded here Moolarben Newsletter March 2026.
A copy of previous newsletters can be downloaded below:
- December 2025 here
- August 2025 here
- May 2025 here
- December 2024 here
- March 2024 here
- August 2022 here.
- February 2022 here.
- June 2021 here.
Project Scope
In the first newsletter for the ‘Moolarben Coal Complex Open Cut Extension Project’ published in June 2021, Moolarben advised it was investigating opportunities to extend open cut operations to the south of OC3 and east of OC4. Following further consideration, Moolarben has decided to focus on the OC3 extension area. Potential extensions to OC4 are still being investigated and more information on that project will be shared in future newsletters and on this site.
Proposed OC3 Extension Project
The Project proposes to extend open cut operations immediately south of the approved OC3 open cut pit as well as develop four new open cut pits to the east and south-east of the approved OC3 mining area, within existing mining tenements. The Project would provide approximately 10 years of mining (from 2025 to 2034), maximise use of the existing mining fleet and maintain steady production of run-of-mine (ROM) coal at the Moolarben Coal Complex. Post-completion of mining within the approved OC3 mining area the Project would be integrated with the existing Moolarben Coal Complex and would not change the approved duration or intensity of mining at the Complex.
Current Status: Amending Project
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the OC3 Extension Project was lodged with the NSW Dept. of Planning on 10 November 2022. The EIS was placed on public exhibition from 17 November to 14 December 2022. During this period, government agencies, organisations and members of the public were invited to provide submissions on the EIS.
In response to submissions received, MCO amended the Project in March 2024 to reduce the indicative surface disturbance extent and incorporate additional avoidance and minimisation measures relative to the EIS. MCO also submitted a Submissions Report to respond to matters raised in the government, organisation and public submissions.
The NSW Dept. of Planning finished its assessment of the Project in December 2025 and referred the Project to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for determination. Yancoal has requested this IPC process be paused so that it can incorporate recommendations from NSW Dept. of Planning as components of the Project, including additional environmental management commitments. Yancoal is currently preparing this (second) Amendment Report.
Project Updates
Project updates will continue to be made available through this webpage and community newsletters.
Contact
For further information on the proposed Projects, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Environmental Data
The below information is supplied by Weatherzone and based on data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It shows a 7 day weather forecast for Gulgong, situated 25 kilometres from the Moolarben Coal Complex.
Gulgong Weather Forecast –https://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/central-tablelands/gulgong?custom
Information supplied by Weatherzone based on data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology
| Air Quality (PM10)1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Site ID | Average Reading for 24 hour period 23 June 2026 | |
| TEOM 6 | 15.6 µg/m³ | |
| TEOM 1 | 10.9 µg/m³ | |
| TEOM 4 | -2 µg/m³ | |
| TEOM 7 | 4.5 µg/m³ | |
| 1: particle matter, 10 micron or less in size | ||
Fact Sheet Information
Contact us
We’re here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
Offices
- Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd
- Locked Bag 2003
- Mudgee NSW 2850
- Phone: 02 6376 1500
- Fax: 02 6376 1599
Environment and Community Complaints Line:
- 1800 556 484
Open Cut Extension Projects Enquiry Line:
- 1800 626 622
Phone:
- 02 6376 1500
