New Hope puts the call out for 600 workers for new coal mine
New Hope has revealed it would need up to 600 workers to develop its expansion of the New Acland thermal coal mine.
New Hope has broken through the $1 billion profit level (photo supplied)
But because of the tight labour market the company has set up an online portal for people to register their interest in a job at the project.
The mine started a ramp down of operations at the site in 2019 shedding hundreds of jobs, many of which were held by local landholders who were supplementing farm income with a job at the mine.
It has taken New Hope more than a decade to get government approval for the mine which has been hotly contested by environment groups that took it as far as the High Court.
However, last month the State Government approved a mining lease for the project and it now needs a water licence before it has all of its approvals.
New Acland mine manager Dave O’Dwyer said the water licence would enable a restart of operations and employment.
“At the peak of construction, there will be close to 600 local workers on sie at New Acland mine,” he said.
“Once the project is underway, we’ll need truck drivers, engineers, electricians, operators, administration staff and mechanics.
“Unlike a lot of other mines in Queensland, New Acland Mine does not engage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, with more than 90 per cent of our previous workforce living within 50km of the site.
“Local businesses can also express their interest in supplying goods and services at New Acland Mine online.”
He said that once approved, local workers, contractors and local businesses would get a $1 billion benefit over the life of the New Acland Stage 3 project.
