A mainstay of regional New South Wales and Queensland
For generations, the coal industry has helped create thriving, diverse regional economies across Australia. Mining has brought more people, business investment, and government revenue and services to Australia’s coal producing regions and transport hubs.
Coal mining companies have contributed to local education, transport, recreational, health and cultural facilities. They have helped drive the creation of more housing stock and supported a wide range of local services, from construction to hospitality.
In 2006-07 the coal industry paid $7.4 billion in wages and salaries, including payments to subcontractors, and it purchased $7.3 billion worth of goods and services.1 A significant portion of this nearly $15 billion of spending would have been in regional New South Wales and Queensland.
Local environmental stewardship
The Australian coal industry is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner, and to continuously improving its environmental performance. This commitment covers all areas of coal mining, including:
- pollution control and monitoring.
- mine
- mine rehabilitation
- coal mining-related greenhouse gas mitigation
The Australian coal industry supports a range of research related to minimising the environmental impact of coal mining through the Australian Coal Association Research Program and has committed more than $1 billion to help develop and demonstrate carbon capture and storage technology through the COAL21 Fund.
Indigenous communities and the coal mining industry
The Australian coal industry recognises the critical importance of the acceptance and support of local indigenous communities. The industry seeks to establish enduring partnerships based on trust and mutual benefit. It is committed to providing jobs, training and business opportunities, seeking to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of the local regions and communities in which it operates.