Anglo American set to cut jobs at Drayton coal mine

Anglo American has said it would cut jobs at a coal mine in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, later in 2014 after delays to planning approvals held back the expansion of a nearby project designed to extend the mine’s life.

The company said it would move to a five-day roster at the Drayton thermal coal mine from the current seven days, slowing production to preserve remaining reserves. Anglo American did not specify how many jobs would be lost.

The world’s fifth-largest diversified miner by market value said it had hoped to get planning approval for its nearby Drayton South project last year so that it could use the same infrastructure, equipment and staff as the 30-year old Drayton mine, which is due to run out of mineable coal reserves in 2015.

However, the Drayton south project has faced delays. The NSW planning assessment commission recommended significant changes to the company’s mine plan in December 2013.

Anglo American currently employ roughly 500 people at its Drayton mine. 

Edited from various sources by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/26022014/anglo_american_set_to_cut_australian_coal_mining_jobs_565/