Argo Natural Resources has officially reopened the New Burton coal mine in central Queensland, securing 275 jobs as the company works towards producing 10 million tonnes of coal annually by 2028.
Located approximately 120km south of Mackay, New Burton has resumed operations following Argo’s acquisition of Bowen Coking Coal from administrators on 30 June 2026.
The company is targeting annual production of 2.5–3 million tonnes of product coal from the mine, with steady-state production expected in the first quarter of 2027.
New Burton forms part of Argo’s expanding Queensland coal portfolio, which also includes Broadlea, Carborough Downs and Ironbank. The restart comes less than six months after Argo acquired the operation, with New Burton expected to play a significant role in the company’s planned production growth.
Argo chief executive officer Richard Livingstone-Blevins said the restart represented an important step in the company’s broader production strategy.
“New Burton is the next piece in our connected portfolio of high-quality coal assets and puts us firmly on the path to our target of 10 million product tonnes a year by 2028,” Livingstone-Blevins said.
“We are very proud that New Burton is already making an important contribution to our region by securing jobs for 275 people who are mostly locals.”
According to the Queensland Government, investment across the four operations has supported approximately 1250 employees, contractors and suppliers.
The Queensland Government said Argo’s investment in the state’s coal industry followed discussions during Premier David Crisafulli’s trade mission to Japan.
Crisafulli said the reopening demonstrated the importance of attracting investment into the resources sector.
“We’ve restored stability for mining in Queensland, allowing the sector to plan and invest with confidence, which is delivering more jobs and a stronger economy,” he said.
“This is a stamp of approval for Queensland’s coal industry and protects the livelihoods of hundreds of workers who can continue to live and work in Central Queensland.”