Coal Mine Wind-Down Sparks Concern Over Job Losses and Power Supply
The Western Australian government is disappointed that one of the state's last remaining coal mines will shift to day operations only, resulting in job losses. The move has sparked concerns about the impact on the workforce and the state's power supply.
Western Australian authorities are expressing disappointment over the impending reduction in operations at one of the state's last remaining coal mines. The mine, located in Collie, 200 kilometres south of Perth, will transition to day operations only.
A government spokesperson described Premier Coal's decision as "very disappointing" and stated that they are seeking urgent clarity on the impact of these changes on the workforce.
"Premier Coal's decision to move its operational workforce to day shift is very disappointing," a state government spokesperson said.
"The government has sought urgent clarity from Premier Coal on the impact these changes will have on its workforce."
The reduction in operations is expected to result in job losses, with unions estimating that around 40 per cent of the workforce, or approximately 150 jobs, will be affected. Management has begun handing out forms for workers to nominate for voluntary redundancies.
According to Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union Secretary Steve McCartney, the impacts of the decision go beyond staffing numbers.
"It looks like about a 40 per cent reduction in workers," he said.
"That's a lot of people that would be looking for a job where there isn't one at the moment."
"But more importantly, the redundancies will all be paid out on day shift rates and the night shift component will be taken out … that's 45 per cent of their money going missing when they're leaving."
Energy analyst Tim Buckley, from Climate Energy Finance, has stated that the shutdown of night operations will not cause rolling blackouts.
"Customers of WA can be confident there's not going to be significant impacts to the energy grid from this," he said.
The state government has expressed confidence that Premier Coal's decision will not affect the state's power supply. The government has also been investing in the Collie region, with a $230 million Collie Industrial Transition Fund aimed at supporting the transition to new industries.