‘Another knife in the back’: Hundreds of miners face uncertain future as NSW colliery closes

As workers left the Russell Vale mine in Wollongong for the last time, they shared their despair with the waiting media and discussed how they were weighing up plans for the future. 

The operator, Wollongong Resources, had called the workers to a meeting in the mine car park on Monday, where the managers explained the parent company Jindal Steel and Powers’ decision to close the operation.

The Collieries’ Staff and Officials Association’s Paul Jeremijenko said it was a sad day for the Illawarra region.

“There is a lot of history in this colliery; a lot of people and their families have worked here,” he said.

“It is a great loss to the community.

“We have all put our heart and soul into this place. We work safely, and we follow legislation.”

Last month, the mine was issued with a prohibition order by the New South Wales Resources Regulator that stopped work at the site after five underground fires.

Workers have been stood down without pay ever since.

The workers said the managers told them the owners did not want to put any more money into the operation and because of the “ongoing regulatory risk and lack of support” it was closing Russell Vale and the company’s other mine at Wongawilli.

More than 200 workers were understood to have lost their jobs because of the closure.

Miner Robert Cox said workers were very concerned.

“Oh, it’s horrible. You’ve got kids’ birthdays and things like that,” he said.

Confusion about entitlements

Others said the mood in the meeting was sombre and there remained confusion about securing their entitlements despite promises from the company.

“Our members, that is our major concern,” Mr Jeremijenko said.

“They [Wollongong Resources] have assured our members that they will receive their entitlements.

“They need to meet those moral and legal requirements, follow the correct process, and pay them what they are owed and due as per the law.”

Looking for options

Miner Brent Boland said many people had already started looking for work.

“Local contractors interviewed 150 people this week, so everybody is out there looking for something,” he said.

“I know guys who have been to Mudgee, Narrabri, and Queensland.”

Mr Jeremijenko said there needed to be a better process to retrain and reskill miners.

“Unfortunately, mining does not really retrain its staff well. They say, ‘Oh well. You are a coal miner. You’ll get another job elsewhere,'” he said.

“But realistically most of us still have to put food on the table, we have families to look after, and we need to find work.

“Especially with the cost of living, this is just another knife in the back.”

The Mining and Energy Union said it hoped new operators would take over both mines.

“We will be seeking discussions with the NSW government at the earliest opportunity to urge a solution for these coal mines that will keep them open,” district secretary Andy Davey said.

Calls for mine rehabilitation 

Environment group Lock the Gate said that would be a “big mistake”.

NSW coordinator Nic Clyde said another miner should not be encouraged to take over the site under the Sydney water catchment.

“We need to be phasing out these mining operations as their consents expire,” he said.

“While it is difficult for workers, it is good news for the global fight to preserve and save the climate.”

Mr Clyde said the mine should now redeploy its workforce and urgently begin the process of rehabilitation.

“The NSW taxpayer should not be picking up the bill,” he said.

“There is a question mark now about how much money the state government collected in bonds and the true cost of closing the mine site and its rehabilitation.”