Macfarlane today welcomed the completion of the expansion, which is expected to generate up to $360 million in employment and business activity annually for the regional economy.
"Mines like Boggabri are the lifeblood of many regional communities and underline the importance of the resources sector to our national economy," Macfarlane said.
"The Boggabri mine has been supporting the communities of Boggabri, Narrabri, and Gunnedah since 2006. This expansion of the mine, which produces both thermal and metallurgical coal, will allow the mine to operate beyond 2030, continuing to create jobs and support local businesses that service it."
Japanese company, Idemitsu Australia Resources, has spent 18 months constructing new infrastructure that will expand the mine's production from five to seven million tonnes per annum.
Macfarlane said that coal would continue to be an important part of the energy mix for years to come, both domestically and throughout the region.
"Coal is our second largest export earner and there's a growing demand within the Asia-Pacific region," Macfarlane said.
"Japan has long been one of Australia's leading export markets for coal and we welcome Idemitsu's continuing investment in developing these resources.
"We are proud of the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between Australia and Japan, which spans over 50 years of trade in energy and mineral commodities which, in turn, supply us with valuable goods for everyday life.
"Australia will continue to be a competitive, reliable trade partner in meeting Japan's energy and resources needs into the future."
