NSW coal mining supporting highest number of jobs in over a decade

NSW coal mining supporting highest number of jobs in over a decade

21 August 2023

Latest data from Coal Services Pty Ltd shows there were 24,984 people working in coal mining production in NSW to June 2023, the highest result since June 2012.

The data also shows that in the Hunter – NSW’s largest coal mining region – there were 14,584 coal mining jobs in June 2023.  This is the second highest number of coal mining jobs in the Hunter region since June 2014.

In the Gunnedah region, the data shows that there were 3,134 coal mining jobs in June 2023, only a slight drop from the coal mining jobs all-time record set in April 2023 of 3,253.

The data shows there are over 300 more coal mining jobs in the Western region of NSW than a year ago at 3,534, and the number of jobs in the Southern region of NSW had improved over the last financial year, recording the second highest number of local coal mining employees for the period of 3,397.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said the increase in coal mining jobs in NSW was a sign of the ongoing importance and resilience of the NSW coal sector.

“The growth in the number of people in coal mining jobs across NSW in recent years shows that the NSW coal mining industry remains critical to regional communities and the state economy, and also highlights the need to ensure mining communities are supported,” Mr Galilee said today.

“The strong contribution of the coal sector reflects overall growth across the entire mining industry in NSW, including in metals mining.  Metals mining jobs are also at near record levels with nearly 8,000 people working in the NSW metals mining sector based on the latest annual NSW Mining Industry Expenditure Impact Survey,” Mr Galilee said.

“These jobs help support regional communities, and are also making a very important economic contribution to the NSW economy.”

“The demand for our metals, critical minerals and high-quality coal is expected to grow over the next decade.  With the right policy settings we can ensure mining investment and jobs are locked in for the future,” he said.