Business
10 August, 2026
Finally some good news for colliery contractors
Redundancy payments have been secured for more than 250 contractors formerly employed by RStar Mining at Tahmoor Colliery.
Redundancy payments have been secured for more than 250 contractors formerly employed by RStar Mining at Tahmoor Colliery.
Approximately 260 contractors were stood down without pay last year.
RStar was placed into liquidation last month – leaving many of the contractors concerned they would never see their money.
However Mining and Energy Union vice present Mark Jenkins said the payments had now been secured, ending months of uncertainly and financial stress for the contractors and their families.
RStar was once touted as a possible buyer for the colliery after partnering with GBA Capital to assemble a bid to protect the jobs of its own contractors as well as well as more than 200 colliery staff.
However, ASIC published a notice on July 29 saying the Bargo-based company had been placed into liquidation.
“Notice is given that at a general meeting of the members of the company held on 29 July 2026, it was resolved that the company be wound up and that Antony Resnick and Henry Kwok be appointed liquidators.”
It is unclear what this means for the contractors moving forward as the colliery prepares to reopen later this year.
It is expected to be back in full production as soon as January 2027.
As previously reported by The Southern Wire, the colliery has been purchased by a consortium comprising Golden Energy and Resources and M Resources in a move that has been described as “great news” and a “fantastic outcome” for Wollondilly and surrounds.
Political leaders have long maintained that the colliery is a viable concern and blamed its closure last year on financial mismanagement.
They have been particularly critical of its former owner, British-Indian billionaire Sanjeev Supta.
The colliery was placed into voluntary administration in March this year, with the NSW Supreme Court placing it in the hands of liquidators the following month – resulting in the immediate termination of 238 workers after a 12-month layoff.
The colliery reportedly had debts of more $430 million.
Mr Supta’s GFG Alliance has been accused of stripping the Tahmoor mine of its profits to support its operations elsewhere around the world.
It now remains to be seen how many of the colliery’s former employees will seek their old jobs back – with many forced to relocate or reskill and find work elsewhere.
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