DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

Major coal mine to close in 2028 with hundreds of jobs lost, union says

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Yancoal's Ashton coal mine in New South Wales will close by early 2028, resulting in hundreds of job losses.
  • The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) reports 60 immediate redundancies, with further job losses expected over the next 18 months.
  • The closure of the underground mine, which produces coking coal for steel production, will significantly impact local families in the Upper Hunter region.

Hundreds of jobs are at risk as Yancoal's Ashton coal mine in New South Wales prepares for a staged closure, set to be fully operational until early 2028. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) has announced that 60 workers face immediate redundancy, with more job losses anticipated over the next 18 months.

The MEU will support our members throughout the redundancy process, ensure that all workplace entitlements and consultation obligations are met, and pursue redeployment opportunities across Yancoal's operations.

— Robin WilliamsMEU northern mining and NSW energy district president Robin Williams outlined the union's commitment to supporting affected workers.

Located in the Upper Hunter region near Singleton, the Ashton mine employs over 300 people, according to a government report from last year. The MEU has described the situation as a "serious blow" to the affected workers and their families, emphasizing the need for Yancoal to actively pursue redeployment opportunities for its workforce across its other operations in the Hunter Valley.

We expect Yancoal to actively pursue redeployment opportunities across its broader Hunter Valley operations, particularly given the strong performance of its other mines in the region.

— Robin WilliamsWilliams stressed the importance of Yancoal finding new roles for its displaced workers within the company's regional network.

The underground mine extracts coking coal, a key component in steel production, which is primarily exported through the Port of Newcastle. The union expects Yancoal to engage openly with employees, providing adequate notice, new employment, and training opportunities as the closure progresses.

The prospect of further job losses in 2027 ahead of the mine's planned closure in early 2028 is sobering news and will leave many local families deeply concerned about their future.

— Robin WilliamsWilliams conveyed the gravity of the situation for the local community and the families dependent on the mine.

The prospect of further job losses in 2027, leading up to the final closure in early 2028, casts a somber shadow over the future of many local families in the region. The ABC has reached out to Yancoal for comment.

We expect Yancoal to "engage openly and genuinely" with workers, to provide new employment and training opportunities, as well as providing appropriate notice for job losses.

— Robin WilliamsThe union president called for transparent communication and proactive measures from Yancoal to mitigate the impact of the closure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog