IN light of recent developments this week, the question has to be asked – would the Drayton South Project have saved jobs in the region?
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For almost a year, Anglo American pushed the line that its 500-strong workforce was in jeopardy if the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) knocked back the extension.
Unfortunately, for the miners in the area,the PAC decision went in favour of the thoroughbred studs last month.
And, almost immediately, a campaign began targeting the government’s planning process.
But, on Tuesday, BHP Billiton announced it would cut a further 150 jobs from Mt Arthur. This takes the number to about 350 since June.
Surprisingly, BHP’s revelation comes after its mine, which employs many people from Singleton and Muswellbrook, received support from PAC to extend its life for another four years to 2026. Mt Arthur also posted a $174 million underlying EBIT profit in the company’s 2014 annual return.
I guess it proves expansions don’t necessarily create or save jobs as we’ve been led to believe; but there are elements out of our control.
