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202216 June: Announced decision to close Mt Arthur Coal in 2030

On 16 June 2022 the BHP Board made the decision to close Mt Arthur Coal in 2030 as part of a planned, responsible closure.

2022June onwards: Conversations with community, suppliers and government on the decision

Since the closure decision was made, Mt Arthur Coal has been actively engaging with community, residents, Indigenous people and governments on our plans.

2023February: Head of Transition appointed

Mt Arthur Coal welcomes Liz Watts to lead the Transition and Closure of site. Liz is originally from Scone and has strong connections within the Upper Hunter.

2023June: First Supplier and Contractor Forum in Muswellbrook

Suppliers and contractors of Mt Arthur Coal came together to talk about closure, business impacts, opportunities and support for workers.

2023August: Tomorrow Together workforce support program launches

Tomorrow Together aims to support BHP employees to identify a pathway post closure most appropriate for each individual’s circumstances. A series of engagement sessions, training and support will be provided in the run up to closure to prepare and plan with our team for their future.

2023September: Community events in the Upper Hunter

Representatives from the Transition and Closure team attend local community events like the Great Cattle Dog Muster 2023 and Singleton Show 2023.

2023October: Updates to Business Chambers

Asset President at the time, Adam Lancey, provided an update on closure plans to Business Hunter, Business Singleton and Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

2023November: First community and neighbours event held for residents of the Upper Hunter

In November Mt Arthur Coal hosted a number of in-person and online community engagement events to share progress with the community on our closure plans.

2024February: Closure Legacy Expectations Assessment (CLEA) commences

Mt Arthur Coal’s largest community engagement exercise commences in Muswellbrook, Singleton, Scone, Denman and Aberdeen – asking residents to share their views and their expectations of Mt Arthur Coal’s closure. Over 800+ residents had their say.

2024February: On the ground at the Upper Hunter Show

The Transition and Closure Team attend the Upper Hunter Show in Muswellbrook to answer community questions about closure.

2024April: Financial Planning support for employees launched

As part of the Tomorrow Together workforce support program, Mt Arthur Coal launched Financial Planning support in partnership with Team Super, for BHP employees.

2024May: Tocal Field Days

The Transition and Closure Team attend Tocal Field Days to answer community questions about closure and invite suggestions on what might be possible for the land post closure.

2024June: Community workshops

A number of workshops held in Muswellbrook with residents and key stakeholders as part of the Closure Legacy Expectations Assessment.

2024August: Parliamentary Inquiry into beneficial and productive post-mining land use

BHP appears at a hearing of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into beneficial and productive post-mining land use, highlighting the economic, environmental and social outcomes that could be realised from alternate mine land re-use at the Mt Arthur Coal site.

2024September: Education support for employees launched

As part of the Tomorrow Together workforce support program, Mt Arthur Coal launched Education and Training support for BHP employees. Employees are eligible for financial support from Mt Arthur Coal for any Nationally Recognised Qualification.

2024November: Land Access project with Indigenous community commences

BHP commences engagement with Indigenous community members on a project to provide access to a parcel of land for cultural purposes.

2024December: Closure Legacy Expectations Assessment report launched

Findings from the CLEA finalised and launched with the community in Muswellbrook.

2024October: Liz Watts appointed to Vice President NSW Energy Coal

Liz Watts takes the reigns at Mt Arthur Coal as the Vice President for NSW Energy Coal.

2024October: Workforce focus groups take shape

Employee representatives from Mt Arthur Coal meet for the first time to provide input into closure support policies and initiatives.

2025March: On the ground at the Upper Hunter Show

The Transition and Closure Team attend the Upper Hunter Show in Muswellbrook to answer community questions about closure.

2025March: Career Coaching for employees launched

As part of the Tomorrow Together workforce support program, Mt Arthur Coal launched Career Coaching support to BHP employees. Employees are eligible for career coaching support delivered by Right Management.

20254 April: Community takes part in rehabilitation

Mt Arthur Coal hosts it’s first tree planting day as part of mine rehabilitation activities. Local schools and community members plant over 1,000 trees and learn about Mt Arthur Coal’s closure plans.

202516 April: Approval received

Mt Arthur Coal receives approval from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to continue mining beyond 2026, to 2030 as part of a responsible closure of the site.

202516 April: 12 month study into Pumped Hydro announced

BHP announces 12-month due diligence exclusivity agreement with Acciona Energia to explore the potential development of a pumped hydro energy storage facility at Mt Arthur Coal.

202516 April: $30 million community fund

BHP announces $30 million community fund for Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter region to address impacts from closure.

2025May: Tocal Field Days

The Transition and Closure Team attend Tocal Field Days to answer community questions about closure and talk more about pumped hydro and the community fund.

2025May: Scone Horse Festival

The Transition and Closure Team attend the Scone Grammar School Fete to answer community questions about closure.

2025July: Aberdeen Highland Games

The Transition and Closure Team attend the Aberdeen Highland Games to answer community questions about closure.

2025August: Tomorrow Together Round 2

The next phase of the Tomorrow Together workforce support program commences, with one-on-one conversations between BHP employees and their leaders to develop Individual Pathway Plans (IPP) to ensure every employee feels engaged, empowered and supported over the next 5 years for the pathway beyond 2030.

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Timeline

202216 June: Announced decision to close Mt Arthur Coal in 2030

2022June onwards: Conversations with community, suppliers and government on the decision

2023February: Head of Transition appointed

2023June: First Supplier and Contractor Forum in Muswellbrook

2023August: Tomorrow Together workforce support program launches

2023September: Community events in the Upper Hunter

2023October: Updates to Business Chambers

2023November: First community and neighbours event held for residents of the Upper Hunter

2024February: Closure Legacy Expectations Assessment (CLEA) commences

2024February: On the ground at the Upper Hunter Show

2024April: Financial Planning support for employees launched

2024May: Tocal Field Days

2024June: Community workshops

2024August: Parliamentary Inquiry into beneficial and productive post-mining land use

2024September: Education support for employees launched

2024November: Land Access project with Indigenous community commences

2024December: Closure Legacy Expectations Assessment report launched

2024October: Liz Watts appointed to Vice President NSW Energy Coal

2024October: Workforce focus groups take shape

2025March: On the ground at the Upper Hunter Show

2025March: Career Coaching for employees launched

20254 April: Community takes part in rehabilitation

202516 April: Approval received

202516 April: 12 month study into Pumped Hydro announced

202516 April: $30 million community fund

2025May: Tocal Field Days

2025May: Scone Horse Festival

2025July: Aberdeen Highland Games

2025August: Tomorrow Together Round 2

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Latest news

2030 Approval received

BHP commits to a $30 million Upper Hunter Community fund

BHP partners with ACCIONA Energia for Pumped Hydro Study