The Bowen Basin contains much of the known Permian coal resources in Queensland, including virtually all of the known mineable prime coking coal.

Coal accumulation in the Bowen Basin occurred in a wide variety of depositional environments and the coal measures reflect this diversity, with variation in seam thickness, lateral continuity and coal quality.

Coal-bearing strata occur within several geological formations in the Bowen Basin. Deposits of economic importance are restricted to four groups, ranging from Early Permian (Group I) to Late Permian (Group IV) in age.

IV Late Permian.
This is the most diverse group in terms of coal quality and also the most widely distributed within the basin. Although the rank and quality of Group IV coals vary greatly, they are characterised by their comparatively greatly, they are characterised by their comparatively low levels of sulphur. They are of major economic importance as a source of both metallurgical and thermal coals (Mines: Newlands, Eastern Creek, Suttor Creek).

III Late Permian
Group III coals include major deposits of high grade coking coal, which are mined by open-cut (Wollombi).

The Newlands consists of three distinct mining operations, these being: the main deposit, which includes an open cut mine and the coal handling and processing plant (CHPP) within existing mining leases, the Eastern Creek open cut mine, the Suttor Creek open cut mine and the Wollombi open cut mine.

The Wollombi pit contains 4 mineable coal seams, which range from 2.6 to 9.6m (8.5 to 31.5 ft) in thickness, at a depth of up to 180 metres (591 ft) and utilizes a truck and shovel fleet, consisting of predominantly 3x Leibherr 996 Excavators for waste removal. The Suttor Creek pit is a conventional strip mining pit, which contains both a Marion 8750 and a Bucyrus Erie 1370 for removal of overburden.

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