Keynote: A region in transition: BHP prepares for the closure of Mt Arthur Coal mine

Authors: Scott-Irving, E

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DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_0.01

Cite As:
Scott-Irving, E 2026, 'A region in transition: BHP prepares for the closure of Mt Arthur Coal mine', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-12, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_0.01

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Abstract:
The Hunter Valley region in New South Wales, Australia, faces significant economic disruption due to open cut coal mine closures that are expected to occur over the next 10–20 years, with BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal mine planned to cease mining in 2030. Current New South Wales legislation prescribes mine closure outcomes for large tracts of land used for coal mining and together with mining approvals often require rehabilitation that delivers ’safe, stable and non-polluting’ outcomes (NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 2023). Re-use of mine land in the Hunter Valley region has been identified by the NSW Government as a key enabler to mitigate downside economic and social implications of coal mine closures and energy transition across the Hunter Valley region. Multi-stakeholder alignment is required across government, business and the community to enable such outcomes, as well as enabling policy and legislation that is a known constraint. This paper provides a case study of the approach being taken by BHP in the transition and closure of the Mt Arthur Coal mine in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. It highlights how current legislative and policy instruments create challenges in meeting community expectations, which extend beyond environmental concerns to include social, economic and land re-use opportunities. It concludes that the opportunities and benefits associated with ‘alternate mine land and asset re-use’ at the Mt Arthur Coal Mine would be significantly enhanced through collaborative stakeholder alignment and timely enabling public policy reform, helping to realise value across social, economic and environmental outcomes and contributing positively to the Hunter Valley region's transition.

Keywords: closure, just transition, post-mining land use, regulatory reform, energy transition, social value, community expectations, government policy

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