BREAKING: 750 Miners AXED in Central Queensland as BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Blames ‘Unsustainable’ Royalties
- BHP Mitsubishi Alliance shuts down Saraji South mine, citing high royalties and market conditions
- Job losses to affect corporate and support roles across Queensland, with 72 miners at Saraji South directly impacted
- Future of Mackay training academy also under review, sparking fears of ‘unAustralian’ behaviour from mining giant
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance has announced it will axe 750 jobs across its Central Queensland operations, blaming the “unsustainable” coal royalties imposed by the Queensland government and unfavourable market conditions.
The mining giant will shut down its Saraji South mine at Dysart from November, citing the high cost of doing business in the state. The move has sent shockwaves through the regional community, where job losses are expected to have a significant impact.
In a statement, Adam Lancey, BMA asset president, said the company did not want to see jobs lost, but these were “necessary decisions” in the face of the combined impact of the Queensland government’s royalties and market conditions. “The simple fact is the Queensland coal industry is approaching a crisis point,” Mr Lancey warned.
The Queensland Resources Council, whose board president is Mr Lancey, described the royalty rates as “bad policy that costs jobs”. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie called on BMA to support and protect its workers, saying it was “unAustralian” to put its Mackay training centre in doubt.
The move has sparked fierce debate, with the Mining Energy Union accusing BMA of “spreading fear” and using workers as “pawns” in its fight with the government over royalties. The union claimed the company was being “disingenuous” by blaming royalties for the closure, citing its history of “sulking” after making enormous profits during the coal price spike of 2022-2023.
The Queensland Opposition Leader, Steven Miles, called on the government to help affected workers, saying the company should do everything it can to support them. The Queensland government has vowed not to tinker with the royalty regime before the election, sticking to its commitment to the people of Queensland.