Glendell was first approved by the then Department of Planning in 1983 whilst under the joint venture ownership of Renison Goldfields Limited and Dalgety Australia Ltd. After consent was granted, economic constraints halted full development of the project. In 1989, Renison Goldfields Consolidated Limited acquired 100% of the project. In 1992, Glendell was sold to a joint venture of Savage Resources (56.5%), Marion Coal Pty Limited (16%) and Mitsui Matsushima (27.5%). In 1994, a new joint venture was established between Savage Resources (67.5 %) and Mitsui Matsushima (32.5%).
During 1999, Savage Resources sold its 67.5% share to Pasminco in February and in July Pasminco sold their 67.5% share to Glencore Coal Australia Pty Ltd. In 2001, Glencore changed its name to Enex Coal and in 2002 Enex was acquired by Xstrata Coal Pty Limited (Xstrata).
Xstrata acquired 100% ownership of Glendell in early 2003. Xstrata Mt Owen is seeking a modification to the existing Glendell development consent from the Department of Planning to allow for the implementation of an improved mine plan and the development of synergies with the adjacent Mt Owen and Ravensworth East mines and the integration of Glendell into the Mt Owen Complex.