SYDNEY, 19 October 2026 - Johnson Winter Slattery is pleased to announce that it is advising New Hope Corporation Limited (New Hope) on its proposed acquisition of longwall coal miner Malabar Resources Limited (Malabar) by way of a scheme of arrangement.
The proposed transaction involves New Hope acquiring all of the shares in Malabar that it does not already own, via an all-scrip consideration structure that implies an enterprise value of Malabar of approximately $2.4 billion.
If approved by Malabar shareholders and the court, the transaction will strengthen one of Australia's leading ASX-listed producers of high-quality coal, with a pro forma market capitalisation of approximately $6.3 billion, a substantial resource base and a clear pathway to approximately 19Mtpa of saleable production, underpinned by assets positioned in the first quartile of the cost curve.
Led by Corporate Partner Damian Reichel, the JWS team advised on all Australian legal aspects of the transaction. Reichel was supported by a team including Special Counsel Scott Cummins (Corporate), Partner Stuart Clague and Special Counsel Richard Brockett (Energy & Natural Resources), Partner Sar Katdare and Senior Associate Mei Gong (Competition) and Partner Julia Green (Environment & Planning).
Damian Reichel said, “We are delighted to be working with New Hope on this major acquisition, enhancing New Hope as one of Australia’s leading ASX-listed high-quality coal producers. We have drawn upon specialist cross-practice expertise and collaboration across the breadth of JWS and we look forward to assisting New Hope through to closing.”
About Johnson Winter Slattery
JWS is a leading independent Australian law firm of more than 500 people, including 85+ partners, across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. The firm is engaged by major corporates and investment funds on their most challenging transactions and disputes.
Media contact
Caroline Raven
Head of Communications
T: +61 2 8247 9604 | M: +61 407 957 779
E: caroline.raven@jws.com.au
W: www.jws.com.au
