
Mining in the hunter valley: the black star
THE Hunter Valley region is undoubtedly one of NSW’s engine rooms, and a powerhouse of Australian mining. Its history goes all the way back to the early 1800s, when the government began mining the first coal in the colony’s history. Today, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 272,000 people and comprises 41 coal mines owned by 11 producers. It is spread over more than 450km, with coal haulage distance of up to 380km. There were more than 31 points for coal loading, four rail haulage providers delivering to three terminals, and as a collective, filled and exported more than 1400 coal vessels every year through the port of Newcastle. With the growing demand for coal in South East…