New Hope Coal mine, situated in southern Queensland, has sacked 150 workers after its expansions weren’t approved.
The mine has been waiting for approval for New Acland Stage 3 near Toowoomba for 12 years, and mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer says that they have run out of coal.
Mr O’Dwyer says that “you can see the fear in [the workforce’s] eyes when you look around the room,” stemming from uncertainties around the decision.
The dispute is considered the state’s longest-running mine dispute, but since no decision has been made, the mine followed through on its ultimatum.
Image: Louisa Rebgetz
