Continuing to mine at Metropolitan will provide jobs and coal royalties for people in New South Wales while safely mining steelmaking coal.
Metropolitan Mine has lodged a modification to operate until 2031 and is preparing a State Significant Development (SSD) application to continue mining to 2044. This two-stage approach includes:
The SSD will secure the mine’s future, safely delivering steelmaking coal to Australia’s steel industry and customers overseas. The mine will be able to continue to support local jobs and generate royalty payments that fund essential services across NSW.
Metropolitan is a long-standing supplier to Australia’s domestic steel production in the Illawarra region.
Steelmaking coal is a vital ingredient for producing the steel that builds critical infrastructure – from homes and transport networks to hospitals and infrastructure for new energy sources.
Metropolitan Mine operates approximately 500 metres underground using highly conservative mining layouts designed to prevent and minimise any potential surface impacts.
2023 - 2024
Completion of detailed mining and environmental studies and community consultation. Continued engagement with government and departmental stakeholders. Submitted early stage approval documentation.
2024 - 2025
Ongoing applications and assessments, community consultation. Preparation and lodgement of modification and Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act referral. Continued engagement with government and departmental stakeholders.
2025 - 2026
NSW and Federal Government assessment and decisions under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act and the NSW Department of Planning determination of modification.
2024 - 2025
Ongoing detailed exploration, mining and environment studies, planning and reporting. Ongoing engagement with government and departmental departmental stakeholders.
2026 - 2027
Preparation of the project description, community consultation and Environmental Impact Statement studies.
2027 - 2029
Submission of application, community consultation and NSW and Federal Government assessment. Subsequently, a determination under the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act and the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Metropolitan Mine is owned and operated by Peabody, a mining company with more than 140 years’ experience globally and six decades in Australia.
The mine produces metallurgical coal, used in steelmaking.
Metropolitan Mine is located in Helensburgh in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, south of Sydney.
The mine employs approximately 400 local workers.
Metropolitan is a long-standing supplier to Australia’s domestic steel production in the Illawarra region. Steelmaking coal is a vital ingredient for producing the steel that builds critical infrastructure – from homes and transport networks to hospitals and infrastructure for new energy sources.
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Mining occurs over 500 metres below the surface, making Metropolitan one of Australia’s deepest and narrowest longwall operations.
A two stage approach:
Metropolitan operates under strict regulatory oversight supported by comprehensive environmental monitoring and independent assessments for any proposed changes. To maintain its licences to operate, the operation must continually demonstrate safe, compliant and responsible performance. All environmental, technical and scientific reports submitted to regulators are publicly available as part of the assessment process. Transparent reporting also includes publicly accessible realtime water quality data for Camp Gully Creek, supported by monthly and annual reporting.
Metropolitan operates more than 500 metres underground and uses some of Australia’s narrowest longwall paths to minimise subsidence impacts. Potential impacts are managed through monitoring of water levels, flows and water quality before, during and after mining.
Metropolitan takes its environmental responsibility seriously and is committed to sustainable mining. Specialist surveys and expert reviews assess potential impacts to threatened species including frogs, birds, and bats. Commitments include ongoing monitoring, adaptive management, and offsets where required. Metropolitan has invested close to $1 million in two conservation programs that are reintroducing platypus and the Southern Stuttering Frog to the Royal National Park.