Reuters quoted a union official said Australian miners plan to stage work stoppages BHP Billiton-Mistubishi Alliance Crinum and Gregory coal mines this week.

Mr Stephen Smyth union spokesman said the twelve hour work stoppages will be held on Tuesday and Friday and the union plans to stage further industrial actions at other mines as well.

BHP said earlier in the day that talks with the union had reached an impasse and that it would ask employees to vote on an agreement at the end of the month.