In Australia...
In 2006 Australia had around 72 billion tonnes of identified in situ black coal resources (see table below) - enough to last about 180 years at current rates of production.
Black Coal Resources
Economic resources occur in most Australian States, but are particularly abundant in New South Wales and Queensland, which accounted for around 97 per cent of Australia's black coal production.
In New South Wales...
Black coal in New South Wales is mined near the eastern and western edges of the large Sydney-Gunnedah Basin. Underground mines operate in the Wollongong-Appin-Bulli area, the Burragorang Valley and in the Lithgow-Mudgee area, while mines in the Hunter Valley from Newcastle to Muswellbrook and those near Gunnedah are mainly open cut mines.
In Queensland...
Most black coal in Queensland comes from the Bowen Basin, extending south from Collinsville to Blackwater and Moura, and at Newlands, Blair Athol and near Brisbane. Other large deposits of younger coal in the Millmerran area west of Brisbane have the potential to be developed to generate electricity.
Coal Resources
Coal Resource estimates by State, including maps of the coal producing regions in New South Wales and Queensland – the States responsible for around 97% of Australia’s black coal production.
Identified In Situ Resources of Black Coal, Australia, 2006 (Million tonnes)
| State |
Underground |
Open Cut |
Total |
| New South Wales |
19,530 |
14,580 |
34,110 |
| Queensland |
12,080 |
17,300 |
29,380 |
| South Australia |
2,450 |
3,100 |
5,550 |
| Western Australia |
890 |
1,300 |
2,190 |
| Tasmania |
500 |
20 |
520 |
Total
|
34,500 |
36,300 |
71,750
|
Source: Geoscience Australia - as published in 'Australian Black Coal Statistics 2006', Coal Services Pty Ltd and Queensland Department of Mines and Energy.