Updates on the Former Leigh Creek Coalfield
12 January 2024
On 1 January 2024 the South Australian Government assumed full control and management responsibility for the former Leigh Creek Coalfield. These responsibilities now rest with the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM).
The site was previously managed by Flinders Power Partnership which, until 31 December 2023, had been responsible for a program of monitoring and maintenance following the rehabilitation works.
DEM is aware of the spontaneous combustion occurring at the Leigh Creek Coalfield, which at times have been noticeable from the Outback Highway or neighbouring communities.
From 1 January 2024, DEM has been actively monitoring the former coalfield, and will be implementing a range of short-term strategies, including to address spontaneous combustion outbreaks, where it is safe to do so.
DEM is also developing a long-term management framework for the site. Public safety, appropriate site access, maintenance, and environmental management will be critical components of this framework.
The former Leigh Creek Coalfield is not open to the public. It is a large and potentially hazardous site with steep pit walls, spontaneous combustion, and unstable ground conditions presenting extreme risks if accessed by people lacking the appropriate induction and training.
Access to the site is not permitted without authorisation from DEM.
For any enquiries about the former Leigh Creek Coalfield, please contact DEM on dem.miningregrehab@sa.gov.au.
About the Former Leigh Creek Coalfield
Resource and location
The former coalfield is located approximately 550km north of Adelaide, and almost 15km north of the Leigh Creek township.
Mining operation and status
The Leigh Creek Coalfield was owned and operated by the South Australian Government from 1948 until it was leased to Alinta Energy in 2000.
In June 2015 Alinta informed the Government of South Australia of its business decision to close its Leigh Creek Coalfield which was operated by Flinders Power Partnership.
The mine's closure was linked to Alinta's decision to close the Port Augusta power stations, the only customers.
Operations at the Leigh Creek mine ceased on 17 November 2015 and planning began for the closure of the mine site.
A Mine Closure Plan (‘Development Program’) setting out the rehabilitation for the site was prepared by Flinders Power Partnership and subject to a comprehensive government assessment.
Following completion of the bulk rehabilitation works, on 1 January 2019, the site commenced a five-year program of monitoring and maintenance activities to ensure effectiveness of the rehabilitation strategies implemented during the closure of the mine site.
On 1 January 2024 the Government of South Australia took over the ongoing management of the site.
Documents and reports
Approved Development Program 2018
- Main report for ADP 2018
- Appendices for ADP 2018 - Leigh Creek Coalfields Mine Closure Plan: Appendices A to KKKK
- Appendix A: Designs & figures - Vulcan data - Ick survey (PDF 130 MB)
- Appendix A: Designs & figures - closure plan - map notes (PDF 86 MB)
- Appendix A: Designs & figures - A3 figures & adjusted X sections (PDF 40 MB)
- Appendices B to J (PDF 74 MB)
- Appendices L to Q (PDF 174 MB)
- Appendices R to T (PDF 97 MB)
- Appendix U - Thermal imaging reports (catalogue) (PDF 70 MB)
- Appendices V to Z (PDF 9 MB)
- Appendices AA to HH (PDF 17 MB)
- Appendix II (catalogue) (PDF 223 KB)
- Appendices JJ to MM (PDF 22 MB)
- Appendix NN (PDF 160 KB)
- Appendix OO (PDF 113 MB)
- Appendices PP to VV (PDF 108 MB)
- Appendix WW to ZZ (PDF 128 MB)
- Appendices AAA to FFF (PDF 23 MB)
- Appendices HHH to VVV (PDF 75 MB)
- Appendices XXX to ZZZ (PDF 4 MB)
- Appendices AAAA to FFFF (PDF 67 MB)
- Appendix GGGG (PDF 68 MB)
- Appendices HHHH to KKKK (PDF 9 MB)
Please note that some of the above appendices are large and may take a while to download.
Assessment report
- Assessment Report for Flinders Power Partnership mine closure plan for the Leigh Creek Coalfield (PDF 11 MB)
NeuRizer in-situ gasification
NeuRizer (previously named Leigh Creek Energy) plans to produce fertiliser from coal using a process known as underground coal gasification (UCG), also known as In-situ Gasification (ISG). This project is located within the former Leigh Creek Coalfield.
Further information is available on DEM’s NeuRizer project page.
More Information
More information on the closure and rehabilitation of the Leigh Creek mine can be found at:
For enquiries relating to current management activities at the coalfield or to receive updates contact:
Minerals Regulation
Department for Energy and Mining
Email: DEM.MiningRegRehab@sa.gov.au
