Thousands support Drayton South extension in grassroots action

Muswellbrook resident, Suzie Henry is making a big impact in the Hunter Valley mining community by rallying over 2,500 people to voice their support for 500 Drayton miners whose jobs are at risk.

 

Ms Henry has , which would secure the jobs of around 500 miners currently working at the adjacent Drayton mine near Muswellbrook. 

 

The proposal is for an extension to the mine which has been part of the local community for over thirty years, but is due to run out by 2015. The extension would allow the mine to continue, securing an income for 500 miners and their families. 

 

Anglo American has revised its extension plans to help save the jobs of the 500 workers and support the 140 local businesses that depend on the mine. The scaled-back plans mean if approved, the smaller mine won’t be seen by its neighbours and aims to secure jobs for workers in all Hunter industries including those in horse breeding and mining. 

 

“I started the group because I felt the public needed to know that people do want the mine here.” Suzie told Coalface Magazine.

 

By creating the Facebook group, Suzie is adding to the growing number of supporters for the project and the region’s miners who want to show their support but don’t know how, saying “the fact that we have nearly 2500 members already is proof of that. Our end goal is to just help get the mine over the line.”

 

Members of the Facebook group are kept up-to-date on the Drayton South project and have generated support for miners in local media. Suzie’s posts show the faces of the real people affected by the uncertainty over this project and the many supporters it has in local business and the community.

 

The NSW Minerals Council commends Suzie on her commitment to being a Voice for Mining and for encouraging the many other people who support the minerals industry in our state to take action. 

 

You can join 2500 people in the ‘I Support the Drayton South Project’ Facebook group to show you support the 500 miners and 140 local businesses whose livelihoods depend on the mine. You can sign up to be a Voice for Mining at www.voiceformining.com.au.