The discovery of coal at the end of the eighteenth century transformed the fortunes of the Lower Hunter. Mining operations grew rapidly - not long after its discovery, the South Maitland Coal Field alone employed nearly 10,000 people, supporting a local population of 43,000.
Today the coal produced in the Lower Hunter is exported or transported locally to three power stations: Vales Point and Munmorah, operated by Delta Electricity; and Eraring Eraring Energy.
The Lower Hunter is also Australia’s biggest processor of aluminium. The raw material is imported from alumina refineries interstate and processed at giant smelters at Tomago and Kurrri Kurri.
| Awaba |  |
Munmorah | |
| Bloomfield | |
Myuna | |
| Chain Valley | |
Newstan | |
| Donaldson | Stratford | | |
| Duralie | |
Westside | |
| Mandalong | |
West Walsend | |
| Mannering (Wyee) | |