Step inside Glencore's Ulan Coal Operation
Media statement
Mudgee, Australia
Glencore has launched a new 3D virtual reality experience that invites people to explore life underground at the Ulan Coal Complex in central New South Wales.
The free online tour takes visitors below the surface to see how people, technology and safety come together at a site that has been part of the local community for generations.
Peter Ostermann, Glencore Coal Director of Underground Operations, said the experience gives people an authentic look at a world few ever get to see.
“For most people, mining is something they hear about but never experience,” Peter said.
“This tour changes that. It gives people a close look at the scale of the operation, the technology we rely on each day, and the people who make it all happen.”
The virtual experience features interactive scenes that guide visitors through each stage of the mining process, from underground longwall mining to coal processing and transport. Along the way, visitors can explore the site’s safety systems, see the mining equipment in action, and learn how the land is rehabilitated after mining.
Lucy Stuart, Ulan Coal Environment and Community Manager, said the virtual tour helps people understand what mining looks like today and the care and complexity involved in running a modern coal operation.
“Ulan is an important part of the local community. In 2024, our operations contributed $846 million to the New South Wales economy and supported more than 700 local jobs,” Lucy said.
“Our team is skilled, proud and passionate about what they do, and that really comes through in this tour.”
The Ulan Coal Complex virtual tour offers a rare opportunity to see inside an active underground mine and hear directly from the people who work there. It provides a window into the skills and innovation that underpin an industry many depend on, but few ever witness — all from the comfort of home.
The Ulan Coal Complex virtual experience is free to explore at https://glencore.ws/Ulan360
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Smith
m: +61 497 504 420
e: Jessica Smith
Laura Reilly
m: +61 419 949 254
e: Laura Reilly
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 20 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters and refineries.
We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.
We employ 17,420 people in Australia and in 2024 contributed almost $19.6 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $13.5 billion with 6,810 businesses, as well as $3.6 billion in government tax and royalty payments.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.
We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. For more information see our 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.