Miners given redundancy notices at Dartbrook underground coalmine

The Advertiser

6 days ago

A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant.
The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements.
In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting.
A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing."
It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook.
Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected.
One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed.
He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators.
"I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said.
Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices.
image
In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval.
Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019.
The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024.
However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant.
It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators.
Dartbrook coal mine. Image: Australian Pacific Coal.
When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets."
As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture
A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant.
The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements.
In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting.
A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing."
It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook.
Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected.
One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed.
He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators.
"I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said.
Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices.
image
In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval.
Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019.
The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024.
However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant.
It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators.
Dartbrook coal mine. Image: Australian Pacific Coal.
When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets."
As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture
A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant.
The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements.
In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting.
A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing."
It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook.
Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected.
One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed.
He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators.
"I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said.
Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices.
image
In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval.
Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019.
The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024.
However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant.
It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators.
Dartbrook coal mine. Image: Australian Pacific Coal.
When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets."
As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture
A number of miners at the Dartbrook underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter awoke today to an email from the mine's administrators saying they were being made redundant.
The miners, some of whom have worked at the mine for 14 months, said they were owed up to $20,000 and would be forced to seek new employment as they await their entitlements.
In early July, the mine was placed in the hands of receivers and managers Ben Campbell and David McGrath of FTI Consulting.
A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said "A number of redundancies have been made to match the operational requirements of the Dartbrook Coal Mine. While this wasn't an easy decision, it was necessary to ensure that operations at Dartbrook continue and are placed onto a sustainable financial footing."
It is believed that between 40 and 50 miners were working the pit, some with contractors and others employed full-time with Dartbrook.
Meetings between the mine's managers and staff took place last week, with the miners saying the redundancy notices were not unexpected.
One of the Hunter-based contractors still working at the mine is Jim Eastley, CE Mining, Jerrys Plains. His company is operating the coal washery and handling plant, with coal still being extracted and processed.
He said he was owed $560,000 but since July 3 his work payments at the mine have been guaranteed by the administrators.
"I haven't heard lately what's happening but at least we are working are our payments are guaranteed. Hopefully we will recovery our outstanding debt," he said.
Currently owned by Australian Pacific Coal (AQC), the mine was put into care and maintenance by its previous owner, Anglo American, in 2006 after multiple workplace accidents and low coal prices.
image
In 2015, coal entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler spearheaded AQC's successful asset purchase, with the new owners beginning the long process of bringing the mine back into production, including gaining planning approval.
Despite community opposition, the Independent Planning Commission approved an amended application to reopen the mine in 2019.
The mine underwent a restart capital program and resumed underground mining operations in 2024.
However, in June this year, it was reported the company had been issued with a notice of default by senior lender Vitol, a Singapore-based commodities giant.
It is understood AQC failed to meet its obligations for the $174 million loan from Vitol and this has led to the appointment of receivers and administrators.
Dartbrook coal mine. Image: Australian Pacific Coal.
When he was appointed Ben Campbell, Receiver and Manager, said, "The Dartbrook Coal Mine produces high-quality thermal coal for both domestic and export markets."
As to who would buy the mine? The thermal coal price is at a four-year low, open-cut mining is prohibited at the site, and one of the world's leading underground miners, Anglo American, could not successfully operate the venture