The reason for their renewed concern is the announcement today that Malabar Coal has acquired Anglo American's controlling interest in the Drayton mine assets which includes the Drayton South project area.

Malabar Coal is developing the Spur Hill underground coking coal mine -  Drayton’s neighbour.

Drayton's infrastructure is expected to complement Malabar Coal's Spur Hill underground project, sources said. 

Malabar Coal chairman Wayne Seabrook said that by using the existing infrastructure the company can realise efficiencies and, "most importantly, reduce the impact of its operations on the local community, neighbours and the environment".

For Anglo who shut their Drayton open cut mine last year and had previously sold their Dartbrook underground mine near Aberdeen the agreement to sell the Drayton marks their exit from the Hunter’s coal industry following in the footsteps of Rio Tinto who are expected to sell their two remaining open cut mines to Yancoal.

Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said, "The agreement to sell the Drayton thermal coal mine marks further progress as we focus our global portfolio around our largest and most competitive assets."

Last year we reported German-born billionaire Hans Mende known for his role in Whitehaven Coal and Gloucester Coal is placing fingers in strategic pies all over the Hunter Valley: he has a stake AQC and he is scouting for more deals through Malabar Coal with old friends Tony Haggarty and Andy Plummer.

At the time it was suggested Malabar may acquire its neighbour Drayton along with NuCoal Resources’ Savoy Hill Coal and Dellworth Coal licences and create a super underground mine running all the way from Jerrys Plains through to Denman.

With today’s announcement some of last year’s rumours are now coming to fruition.

Drayton South’s other neighbours are two of the world’s leading thoroughbred studs Coolmore and Godolphin (Darley) who have spent millions fighting the site’s development into a new open cut one.

In response to Anglo deciding to sell its Drayton assets Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) says the NSW Government must act immediately to protect the region’s thoroughbred breeding industry and avoid another senseless round of mining applications at Drayton South.

“We are disappointed that the NSW Government has not acted before now to protect this site and the Equine Critical Industry Cluster in the Hunter, “ said Dr Cameron Collins, President of the HBTA

“We need an immediate, clear and unequivocal commitment from the NSW Government that it will prohibit future mining at the Drayton South site and that it will protect the Hunter’s Equine Critical Industry Cluster.

“It’s imperative that the NSW Government give clear direction to all layers, including any new purchasers that this land will not be mined.”

Anglo’s timing of the sale announcement at the start of the Upper Hunter’s annual Horse Festival follows similar announcements in recent years – all timed when the industry would prefer to be celebrating their achievements not responding to mine industry developments.

“We cannot operate with any confidence if we are subjected to endless mining applications and a death by a thousand cuts. We need Government leadership. We need a strong signal from the NSW Government that it will end the land use conflict in the Hunter, restore investment confidence and protect our industry.“ Dr Collins said

“Our industry and community have been through enough uncertainty and indecision. Four  Planning Assessment Commission reports have rejected a mine on the Drayton South site and strongly recommended the protection of the Hunter’s important thoroughbred breeding industry.”