Newlands Coal is part of the NCA Project, a mining, processing and exporting partnership that delivers high quality coal, cost effectively to international customers. The NCA Project includes the Newlands open cut and underground longwall operations, the Colllinsville open cut mine and the Abbot Point coal terminal. The project is a joint venture between Xstrata Coal (55%), Itochu Coal Resources (35%) and Sumitomo (10%). Abbot Point coal terminal is owned by the Ports Corporation of Queensland.

Newlands is located in the northern part of the Queensland Bowen Basin and produces export steaming coal and coking coal.

Xstrata Coal has applied to expand the Wollombi mining area of the Newlands coal mining operation from its current operations of 1.5 million tonnes per annum to a total of 2.5-3 million tonnes per annum. This will ensure continued access to a quality resource over the next 15 years. An Environmental Impact Study has been prepared and approved by the QLD EPA and Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage.

Expansion will secure 125 jobs, support the growth of the Glenden community and create an additional 60 jobs during the construction stage of the project.

Development at Newlands began in 1981 and coal mining operations commenced in 1983. Coal is mined from a single seam – the Upper Newlands which varies from 5.5 and 6.5 metres in thickness and averages 6 metres. Originally the Newlands operation aimed to produce 4 million tonnes of washed coal per year from approximately 4.5 million tonnes of open cut coal mined. With the commencement of underground mining in 1998 and significant restructuring of the open cut, the combined open cut produce in excess of 10 million tonnes of product per annum.

Xstrata Coal has submitted applications for three mining leases that will extend the life of the Newlands Coal mine and continue to secure future employment opportunities for the local community. The proposed extensions to the Newlands Coal mine will see the workforce and equipment move into new areas as coal reserves in other parts of the Newlands mine are depleted.

Additional information

• Xstrata Apprentice Programme
• Xstrata Graduate Programme
• Glenden Lions Park refurbishment in conjunction with Conservation Volunteers Australia
• Glenden Big Day Out – this activity was conducted for the public in the Mackay region and NCA employees and families
• CHPP Donation to the Mackay Base Hospital
• Glenden State School – teachers salary ($77,000)
• Contributions to the Central Queensland Rescue Helicopter
• Financial assistance to local sporting groups