Anglo American employees have written to the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and asked for his help to save 500 jobs under threat if the Drayton South project in the New South Wales Hunter Valley does not go ahead.
In an open letter published in News Limited papers on Wednesday 22 January, Drayton mine employees appealed to the Premier to step in and help them keep their jobs by approving Drayton South, a project extending the life of the existing Drayton mine which is due to run out of mineable coal in 2015.
Last week employees and their families came together at Drayton mine following the recent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) report into Drayton South which questioned the merits of the project due to alleged impacts on the neighbouring thoroughbred studs.
Drayton mine Health and Safety Coordinator Shannon Smith-Eckman said on reviewing the PAC report, the planning process to date was disappointing and many people had expressed concerns because they felt their interests had not been taken into consideration at all.
“My husband and I recently moved to Singleton to work and raise our family, but we are now very concerned about our future because it appears the PAC has not considered the impact job losses would have on Drayton employees and the local communities,” Ms Smith-Eckman said.
Drayton mine General Manager Clarence Robertson said Anglo American had already responded to consultation with neighbours by changing its mine plan, investing more than $60 million on technical reports and giving up more than $5 billion worth of coal to move the future mine behind natural ridgelines.
“Drayton mine has been in operation for more than 30 years and has employed generations of families based in the Hunter Valley,” Mr Robertson said.
“On top of this, the existing operation provides work for around 140 local businesses which together benefit from $70 million worth of local procurement each year. Take these jobs away and the whole town of Muswellbrook and the surrounding areas will suffer,” he said.
Drayton employee Rod Vaughan said he welcomed the chance to speak up for local jobs.
“Muswellbrook has been a mining town for as long as I can remember, and I’m a second generation coal miner,” he said.
“We have always worked hard to coexist with other industries and we have proven time and time again we can all work alongside each other.
“Our employees are passionate about Drayton South and will do whatever it takes to show we need this project to support our families and sustain local business,” Mr Vaughan said.
ENDS