Strong global demand delivering more coal mining jobs for NSW

Strong global demand delivering more coal mining jobs for NSW

Strong global demand for NSW coal from traditional and developing export markets has delivered more coal mining jobs across NSW, with coal mining job numbers returning to levels not seen since 2012.

The latest data from Coal Services Pty Ltd shows that there were 23,850 direct coal mining jobs in NSW in December 2022, the highest end of year result since 2012.

The data also shows that in the Hunter – NSW’s largest coal mining region – there were 14,382 coal mining jobs in December 2022.  This is the highest end-of-year result in eight years, notwithstanding a slightly higher result in October 2022.

In July 2014, coal mining jobs in the Hunter were just over 14,000. However by December 2014, coal mining job numbers in the Hunter had fallen to just over 12,600 due to a market downturn.

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

“With the state election only days away, the growth in coal mining jobs across NSW in recent years shows the ongoing strength of the industry, and the need to ensure mining communities are supported,” Mr Galilee said today.

“In addition to these nearly 24,000 coal mining jobs, the industry also supports the jobs of thousands more people in around 7,000 local businesses in NSW that supply our mining operations.”

“Whoever forms government following the state election will need to ensure the right policies are in place to support our world-class coal mining sector into the future,” Mr Galilee said.

Contact: Brad Emery