Our mining industry worked hard in 2022 to support regional mining communities and the state economy. 2023 is also shaping up to be another year of many challenges.

In the short term, much of the coal sector is affected by the NSW Government’s coal price cap policy in some way. Work is underway to minimise the impact and to protect jobs and investment in our critical NSW coal mining sector.

There are positive prospects that we will see further growth in the NSW metals mining sector this year, with the potential to deliver more jobs and economic benefits to regional NSW. The McPhillamys Gold Project near Blayney and the Bowdens Silver Project near Mudgee are both due to be assessed by the Independent Planning Commission in the near future. 

The people of NSW will head to the polls in March for the State Election, and in a number of key regional electorates the outcome could be determined by the votes of miners, their families and supply businesses. The outcome of the election may have an impact on policies towards the mining sector in NSW.

We will be working hard, prior to the March election and beyond, for the NSW mining industry and all those who depend upon it.

Stephen Galilee, CEO, NSW Minerals Council