The Minns Labor Government has announced a landmark shift in the state’s resources sector, formally banning the development of all new "greenfield" coal mines under the "NSW Coal Industry 2026–50" policy.
Unveiled on March 19, the strategy stipulates that the government will no longer consider applications for entirely new coal projects or invest in further coal exploration.
As an immediate consequence, nine existing applications for exploration licences on greenfield sites will be terminated, and current licences will be strictly governed by "use it or lose it" renewal rules.
While the door has closed on new sites, the government confirmed that extensions to existing operations remain on the table.
Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos emphasised that the extensions will face "strict project-by-project approval processes" and robust regulatory scrutiny.
Minister Houssos underscored the sector's current economic weight, noting it supports approximately 23,800 direct jobs and generated $23.4 billion in export value in 2025.
"Coal remains one of our top exports, contributing $2.7 billion in royalties last year to fund essential services," she stated, while acknowledging the industry must evolve as NSW’s coal-fired power stations retire by 2040.
The NSW Minerals Council has reacted with concern, with CEO Stephen Galilee describing the ban as "disappointing."
Although Galilee noted that no new greenfield mines have been proposed for several years, he argued that the policy imposes an "artificial limit" on the state's future economic opportunities and its global trading partnerships.
The policy marks a definitive pivot as NSW balances its mining heritage with a transition toward net-zero targets by 2050.