New Longwall Operation Supports 430 Jobs in Upper Hunter
Malabar Resources has officially opened the Maxwell Underground Mine in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales, marking the transition from construction into long-term production. The mine, approved by the NSW Independent Planning Commission in December 2020, supports more than 430 direct permanent jobs with a workforce drawn largely from Hunter communities.
Production and Products
- Metallurgical coal: At least 75% of coal produced is suitable for steelmaking — critical for building homes, schools, hospitals, roads and renewable energy infrastructure
- Longwall commenced: First full shears of coal from the longwall machine in April 2026, with 200,000+ tonnes cut in May during ramp-up
- Overland conveyor: New 9 km conveyor commissioned, transferring raw coal from pit top to the coal handling and preparation plant
- Expansion planned: Longwall panels expanding from 145m to 250m for panels 3-4, then 300m thereafter
Resource Base
Three independent resource estimates across the Maxwell North, Maxwell, and Maxwell West areas total approximately 2,300 million tonnes of JORC-compliant resources, of which approximately 70% is Measured and Indicated. The mine targets the Whynot, Woodlands Hill, Arrowfield and Bowfield seams within the Wittingham Coal Measures of the Hunter Coalfield.
Broader Development Vision
Executive Chairman Wayne Seabrook emphasised that Maxwell has moved from planning through construction to production, becoming a long-term contributor to the Upper Hunter. Malabar's broader footprint includes the recently announced Maxwell North project, large-scale renewable energy projects including the approved Maxwell Solar Farm and the proposed 350 MW Edderton Solar Farm and Battery (BESS), alongside rehabilitation of previously mined land for agriculture and renewable energy uses.
