Mining big BHP owes it to their staff to offer ongoing group assist in two central Queensland communities after the corporate unveiled plans to promote two coal mines, a key union says.
The international mining big is in search of consumers for its Blackwater and Daunia metallurgical coal mines within the state’s Central Highlands and Isaac areas, blaming the state’s coal royalties regime.
Mining and Energy Union Queensland president Stephen Smyth mentioned whereas consumers for the mines are more likely to be discovered, BHP should not abandon its staff.
“BHP has long been the biggest coal mine operator in central Queensland and I believe they owe it to their workforce and the communities that have sustained them to provide some ongoing support,” he mentioned in a press release.
“BHP must guarantee that workers’ entitlements will be protected throughout this process, including their contractor workforce.
“And I name on BHP to make a dedication to offering ongoing group assist – particularly to the city of Blackwater which has supported the Blackwater mine for over 50 years of its operation by BHP.”
State Treasurer Cameron Dick said the two quality mines would unlikely to be on the market for long.
“I’m positive they will be snapped by among the many firms that wish to proceed to mine within the Bowen Basin,” Mr Dick told AAP.
BHP chief executive Mike Henry said the state’s mining royalty rates had increased his company’s risk and “worsens the economics of those mines”.
Miners have been paying more royalties on each tonne of coal sold for more than $175 since the start of the new financial year.
The mining industry enjoyed a 10-year freeze on royalties until the latest financial year began.
The Queensland Resources Council said BHP’s decision was very concerning for the industry and set off alarm bells about coal royalty rates.
The coal mining lobby group’s chief executive Ian Macfarlane called for the government to reconsider its coal royalty policy before other companies divested from Queensland.
“This once more confirms that the state authorities’s new royalty charges, launched immediately and with out business session, has made Queensland uncompetitive,” Mr Macfarlane said in a statement.
“BHP’s considerations will probably be famous by different main traders right here in Australia and around the globe, which provides to the intense menace the royalty tax enhance poses to future funding and jobs in Queensland.”
Shadow treasurer David Janetzki said BHP’s decision showed there were real ramifications from Mr Dick’s failure to get tax policy right.
“He is a menace to the Queensland financial system,” he advised parliament.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
