Operators pose for a photo on the Maxwell longwall. (Photo: Malabar)
Malabar Resources Ltd. announced the completion of the first full shears of coal from the longwall face at the Maxwell mine on April 14, 2026. This milestone sets the Maxwell mine on the pathway to becoming the newest and largest long-life longwall operation in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia.
“The mine now provides more than 430 full-time jobs and supports many local businesses and suppliers across the Hunter Valley region. Maxwell produces high-quality metallurgical coal that goes into making the steel the world requires and high-energy coal for new high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) power stations,” said Wayne Seabrook, chairman, Malabar Resources.
Malabar Resources received NSW Government approval for its Hunter Valley operation in December 2020, and underground construction commenced in May 2022, with the first coal produced from room-and-pillar operations early the following year.
The company said that the pathway from approval to first longwall coal has involved thousands of people, an enormous amount of work and the support of the community, customers and financial markets. The final transition from development production to longwall production was delivered through a concentrated month of activity involving relocating the longwall equipment underground from the mini-build pad on the surface, upgrading conveyors and the supporting infrastructure, and completing civil and ventilation support needed to bring the longwall mining system online.
Source: www.coalage.com
