Peabody Energy announced that workers at its Wambo and Wilpinjong Mines in New South Wales have recently approved new labor agreements.

Together, the new agreements cover more than two thirds of the company's high value thermal coal exports from Australia.

Peabody employees approved the new three year Wambo enterprise agreement at the underground mine. Wambo employs 150 workers, producing high-quality thermal and PCI coal products. The mine's underground operations shipped 3.1 million tonnes in 2011.

The new four year Wilpinjong agreement was reached with the mine's current contract operator, Thiess. Wilpinjong will be transitioning to Peabody owner-operator status beginning April 1, 2013. Wilpinjong has a workforce of approximately 350 and produces thermal coal for both domestic and export markets. The mine shipped 9.8 million tonnes of coal in 2011 and recently completed an expansion.

Mr Eric Ford Peabody President Australia said “These new agreements were approved by an average of 80 percent, indicating a clear show of support from workers at our operations in Australia. They follow the overwhelming approval of the new three-year North Goonyella enterprise agreement in Queensland last month, covering Peabody's highest-value hard coking coal production."

is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a global leader
Source - Peabody Energy

(www.steelguru.com)