Hundreds of jobs at risk as resources giant to close historic mine

Hundreds of jobs are on the line after resources giant Yancoal announced the impending closure of an historic coal mine in the NSW Hunter region.

Yancoal, which operates mines in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, will immediately shed 60 jobs from its Ashton mine site in Camberwell, in the Hunter Valley, and has flagged plans to shut it down entirely by 2028.

A spokesperson for Yancoal blamed “significant technical challenges and operational risks” along with evolving market conditions for the decision to close Ashton.

“Combined, these factors are undermining Ashton’s viability as a sustainable ongoing operation,” the spokesperson said.

“Our immediate priority is supporting our workforce and their families through this period.

“We recognise the significant impact this decision will have on our employees, contractors and the broader community.

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“We are committed to working closely with affected individuals to provide support, including redeployment opportunities where possible, as well as career transition and wellbeing assistance.”

The underground mine will be closed in multiple stages.

It will begin with an immediate reduction in planning and development activities, before Yancoal ends development mining at Ashton by 2027.

Longwall mining at the site will end by early 2028.

The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) said 60 staff members were told on Tuesday that they would lose their jobs.

“This is tough news for the workers, their families and the wider Hunter community,” the MEU said in a statement.

“With further job losses flagged for next year before the mine’s final closure in 2028, many families are facing uncertainty.”

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The union said it hoped Yancoal, which is an ASX-listed company valued at around $7 billion, would “give every worker a fair opportunity to remain employed”.

Yancoal said it would work with affected employees “to provide support, including redeployment opportunities where possible, as well as career transition and wellbeing assistance”.

Over 300 people are employed at the Ashton site, one of NSW’s oldest mines.