Whitehaven Coal will pay up to $6.4 billion for two coking coal mines in central Queensland in a "transformational" deal that's been praised by a union but criticised by coal sceptics.
Whitehaven is buying the Daunia and Blackwater mines from the BHP-Mitsubishi venture after lodging the winning bid.
"This transaction has delivered a good outcome for the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, our workforce and the communities around the Blackwater and Daunia operations," BHP Australian minerals president Geraldine Slattery said on Wednesday.