NSW Mining welcomes Minister Harwin

“NSW mining is critical to the economic strength of our State as well as maintaining the stability of our energy grid. Coal is our State’s most valuable export and coal-fired power provides around 85% of our energy needs as well as supporting the important regional economies of the Hunter and Illawarra, as well as communities like Lithgow and Mudgee,” NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said.

“Similarly, our metals mines in places like Broken Hill, Cobar in Far Western NSW, and Orange, Dubbo and Parkes in Central NSW also bring in significant export revenue and support thousands of direct jobs and thousands more through local supply businesses.”

At the heart of the NSW mining industry are nearly 40 000 hardworking miners and their families, as well as many thousands more that work in more than 8000 businesses supply the mines.

While many of these people live in Sydney, most do live in regional NSW where they are an important part of the fabric towns and communities across the State, and it’s important that their voices are heard.

“The NSW mining industry looks forward to working with Minister Harwin as he takes on the challenges facing our industry. We also thank the former Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, the Hon. Anthony Roberts for his service, a Minister who understood the importance of mining to our State and worked hard to support mining communities,” Galilee said.

“And this will be A key challenge for Minister Harwin and the NSW Government. 40 000 NSW miners and their families, as well as thousands of others working in businesses supported by mining, will be hoping the Berejiklian government will support mining and the jobs, investment and growth it provides," he concluded.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/30012017/nsw-mining-welcomes-minister-harwin/