150 Miners Lose Their Jobs
By the end of February 2015, 150 Hunter Valley miners have been told they will be made redundant.
BHP Billiton announced today that 150 positions will go from New South Wales largest coal mine, Mount Arthur at Muswellbrook.
Taking effect over the next four month, the redundancies include production and maintenance workers in full time and contractor positions.
BHPís energy coal asset president, Peter Sharpe says it is part of the global minerís ongoing review to reduce operating costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of the business.
Mr Sharpe advised that market conditions continue to be difficult because of low coal prices and a strong Australia dollar.
The ABC Reported , that the NSW Minerals Council says over 4,000 direct coal production jobs have now been lost over the past two years.
It says recognising the impact on families, the industry is doing everything it can to minimise job losses.
Mineral Council CEO Stephen Galilee says the industry is not being helped by the policies of the state government.
"Dealing with these tough times is being made tougher due to New South Wales Government policies that include a broken planning system that refuses important projects like Drayton South that would protect and save Hunter jobs," he said.
