Malabar Resources will today officially open the Maxwell Underground Mine in the Upper Hunter Valley, marking a major milestone for the company, its workforce and the region.
The opening marks the transition of Maxwell from construction into long-term production, following project approval in December 2020 and the commencement of construction in May 2022. The mine is supporting 430 full-time, long-term jobs, with Malabar’s workforce overwhelmingly based in the Upper Hunter.
Wayne Seabrook, Executive Chairman of Malabar Resources, said the official opening recognised the work of the employees, contractors, suppliers and local businesses who helped bring Maxwell Underground from a vision into production. “Maxwell is now a working underground mine, supporting hundreds of long-term jobs and creating ongoing opportunities for people and businesses across the Upper Hunter,” Mr Seabrook said.
“This is a proud milestone for Malabar, but more importantly, it is a milestone for the people who have helped deliver it.
“Our team lives locally, works locally and contributes locally. These are people from Muswellbrook, Denman, Aberdeen, Scone, Singleton and the surrounding towns who have helped build a project that will be part of the Upper Hunter for decades to come.” Maxwell Underground produces high-quality coal, with at least 75 per cent capable of being used as metallurgical coal for steelmaking. It is the kind of coal used to make the steel needed for homes, roads, rail, machinery, manufacturing, resources and energy infrastructure.
Mr Seabrook said the mine had been designed from the outset to coexist with the Upper Hunter’s surrounding industries and land uses. “The Upper Hunter is a mining region, an agricultural region, a wine region and a horse region,” Mr Seabrook said. “Maxwell has been designed to operate alongside those industries and to support the long-term strength of the region.
“When people talk about a diversified Hunter, this is what it looks like in practice: mining, renewables, agriculture, rehabilitation and local jobs supporting one another.”
Malabar’s broader footprint in the Hunter includes the Maxwell Underground Mine, the recently announced Maxwell North project, large-scale renewable energy projects including the approved Maxwell Solar Farm, the proposed 350MW Edderton Solar Farm and Battery (BESS), the Mayfield mega-scale BESS in partnership with Akaysha, and the rehabilitation of previously mined land for agriculture and renewable energy uses.
Mr Seabrook said the official opening was an opportunity to thank everyone who had contributed to the project. “To every employee, contractor, supplier, neighbouring landholder and local business that has been part of this journey, thank you.
“Maxwell has moved from planning to construction to production. Today is about recognising that achievement and looking ahead to the next chapter for Malabar and the Upper Hunter.”
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