This operation covering 80 km² was first approved in 2007 with 3 open cuts to the south and a longwall mine (UG4) adjacent to the Goulburn River and The Drip gorge. This approval is known as Stage 1. Stage 2 including 2 additional longwall mines (UG1 & UG2) and a large open cut (OC4) to the east was approved in 2015. There have been 17 modifications.

The Moolarben Mine Complex has approval to extract up to 26 mtpa until 2038 across both Stages.

A new project to extend the open-cut (OC3) adjacent to the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is currently with Dept Planning to extract an additional 40 Mt up to 2038.
Extensions to Open Cut 4 is being investigated and has had a preliminary assessment.

The project has an exploration licence immediately to the north of the Goulburn River above The Drip gorge.

 This is an export mine.

Yancoal OC3, adjacent to the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, is currently before the Department of Planning. Please see the maps above for details of the expansion.

MDEG Submissions Objecting to Open Cut 3 expansion:

Federal EPBC Act Submission
State Submission