Shaping what comes next for Mt Arthur Coal
Find out more about future land use opportunities when BHP finishes mining in 2030
Since 2022, when we announced our decision to stop mining at Mt Arthur Coal, we've been working with government, industry and the community to explore future land use opportunities for when BHP finishes mining in 2030.
What future land use opportunities exist at Mt Arthur Coal?
Working closely with government, industry and community, we’re exploring future land use opportunities for when BHP finishes mining. Opportunities that could support jobs, new and existing industries, rehabilitation, recreation and lasting value for the region.
What could the land be used for at Mt Arthur Coal?
The great thing is, we’re not starting from scratch.
There’s already a lot here, including roads, services, workshops, sheds and industrial areas that were built to support mining. So part of the work now is to understand how some of that infrastructure could keep supporting the region after BHP finishes mining.
Some areas could suit industry, energy, skills or employment. Others will be shaped by rehabilitation, ecology, recreation and the future landform.
There’s already a lot here, including roads, services, workshops, sheds and industrial areas that were built to support mining. So part of the work now is to understand how some of that infrastructure could keep supporting the region after BHP finishes mining.
Some areas could suit industry, energy, skills or employment. Others will be shaped by rehabilitation, ecology, recreation and the future landform.
Could Mt Arthur Coal help power the future?
Pumped hydro is one of the future land use options being explored at Mt Arthur Coal.
The site has a few things that make it worth investigating, including the final mine void, changes in height across the site and existing transmission infrastructure nearby.
Work so far has shown a pumped hydro project here is technically feasible, but that does not mean it is locked in.
The site has a few things that make it worth investigating, including the final mine void, changes in height across the site and existing transmission infrastructure nearby.
Work so far has shown a pumped hydro project here is technically feasible, but that does not mean it is locked in.
What do mining closure experts think?
In March 2026, Environmental Specialist and Author, Dr Pete Whitbread-Abrutat met with a cross section of Mt Arthur Coal’s team and stakeholders to discuss the future of the Mt Arthur Coal site and provide insights from his extensive research.
