South32 Fails to Avert Prolonged Strike at Appin Coal Mine

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01: A general view of smoke rising from the the steelworks in Port Kembla on February 01, 2021 in Wollongong, Australia. Coal mining operations are set to expand in the Illawarra region following the recent move to reopen the area's oldest mine. Wollongong Coal's application to expand operations to extract an additional 3.7 million tonnes of metallurgical coal at its currently dormant Russell Vale colliery over the next five years was approved by the The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in December 2020. South 32 has also submitted plans to the IPC to extend its Dendrobium underground mine west of Wollongong. Both mines encroach on the water catchment area of Greater Sydney, with concerns raised over the expected impact and damage to Sydney's water supply. Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

South32 has failed to get end an ongoing strike at its Appin coal mine in New South Wales after it did not reach an agreement with the union of workers at the site.

“Despite members attending the meeting in good faith, South32 refused to put forward a fair and decent offer on conditions and wages,” Collieries’ Staff and Officials Association lead organiser Belinda Giblin said, according to a Reuters report.