Latest list of new mine proposals reveals 97 new coal and gas projects are under development

The latest list of Australia’s planned resource and energy projects has revealed that as of 31 October 2025 there were 432 major resource and energy projects under development in Australia, up from 407 projects a year earlier. 

The list includes 42 coal projects and 45 oil and gas projects among the 432 projects in total. 

The 42 new coal projects combined could extract 335 million tonnes per year, a potentially substantial increase on to Australia’s existing production of around 400 million tonnes per year. 

According to the report, five coal projects reached “completion” over the last year, more than any other commodity.  

Three new oil and gas projects and three new gold projects were also completed, along with two iron ore, two lithium and one copper project. 

Oil and gas projects make up the largest share of “committed” projects by value. 

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources said:

“…critical minerals projects continue to progress and expand despite sometimes challenging conditions and smaller project sizes. Around a quarter of projects at each stage in this year’s list were critical minerals, with $20 billion of proposed investment for later-stage projects.” 

The list was met with concern by climate and energy researchers. 

“This list makes it clear that Australia is not transitioning away from coal and gas,” Research Director at The Australia Institute, Rod Campbell said. 

“On the contrary, Australia is bending over backwards to start new fossil fuel projects.”  

Mr Campbell said the report highlights the hypocrisy of the Australian Government.

“Just last month at the UN climate conference in Brazil, Minister Bowen signed the Belém declaration, committing to phase out fossil fuels,” Mr Campbell said. 

“Clearly the mining companies and the Department of Industry didn’t get the memo, because there are enough coal mines being developed to nearly double Australia’s coal production.” 

The new data comes on the back of findings by the NSW Government’s Net Zero Commission that new coal projects in the state were “not consistent” with the objectives of the state’s climate laws. 

The list published today includes 11 coal projects in NSW with combined capacity of 92 million tonnes per year. 

At the release of the NSW report, Net Zero Commission chair Nick Rowley, said:

“Coal mining has made a significant contribution to our economy and regional communities for generations. Given global demand for thermal coal is likely to decline, we owe it to those communities to plan for a just transition.” 

Mr Campbell agreed.

“We absolutely need to plan a phase out of fossil fuels and ensure it is done in a way that supports the community,” he said.  

“This has been done in Germany and there is no reason it can’t be done in Australia, but the first step of this journey has to be ending new fossil fuel projects.”