Coal news and updates

Glencore to sack another 100 workers from Clermont mine

The move comes less than a year after the company spent $1 billion buying the mine from Rio Tinto.

It took control of the mine in June and immediately started a review which resulted in today’s job losses.

Glencore also shed 300 jobs when it took control of the Collinsville coal mine and shut it down for months while it reviewed its operations.

“The Australian coal industry continues to face significant challenges including low coal

prices, high input costs and a resilient Australian dollar,’’ the company said.

“To manage these factors Glencore has focused on reducing costs and maximising efficiencies across our business in the face of falling margins.

“The mining complex will continue to support a workforce of more than 600 after the changes

are implemented.

“Despite the current challenges, the mine remains an important part of our coal portfolio and

we do not expect that these changes will impact on Clermont’s annual coal production,

which is expected to be around 13 million tonnes by end of 2014.

Glencore has begun informing employees of the decision today.

It will try to place affected workers in vacancies that may exist at its other projects.

Source: The Courier Mail