News
6 February, 2026
Hannan takes aim at ‘financial mismanagement’ of colliery
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan has used a 30-second Notice of Motion to take aim at ‘financial mismanagement’ of the Tahmoor Colliery.
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan has used a 30-second Notice of Motion to take aim at ‘financial mismanagement’ of the Tahmoor Colliery.
Speaking in the NSW Legislative Assembly this week, Mrs Hannan called on Parliament to recognise that coking coal was still required for the manufacture of steel – despite the move away from coal as a power source.
She also called on Parliament to note the “long history of the Tahmoor colliery as a major employer in Wollondilly” and to welcome the administration process “that has finally removed GFG Alliance who let this long operational and profitable mine fall victim to financial mismanagement, instability and bad cheques”.
As previously reported by The Southern Wire, the Tahmoor is colliery is owned by SIMEC Mining – a subsidiary of GFC Alliance – but has been closed for approximately 12 months now.
GFC Alliance is owned by billionaire metals magnate Sanjeev Gupta.
Administrators for Tahmoor’s parent company – Liberty Primary Metals Australia (LPMA) - are currently seeking a buyer for the mine with expressions of interest to close next Wednesday (February 11).
LPMA is a sister company of SIMEC.
Media reports suggest Gupta has already a rejected a $350 million offer from a consortium including RStart but there have been a number of approaches (including EOIs) from other parties.
Administrators say they are “encouraged” by the level of interest.
RStart was the mining contractor that employed the Tahmoor colliery’s workforce – hundreds of whom are still out of work.
The Mining and Energy Union has called on Gupta to accept the offer, paving the way for hundreds of workers to return.
Mining and Energy Union South West District President Bob Timbs said it was “intolerable” for Tahmoor to be heading into a new year without producing coal.
“If this mine is not sold to a serious and reputable operator soon, it will become harder and harder to restart it safely,” Mr Timbs said.
“Every month Tahmoor Colliery is out of action risks losing the experience workforce and mine conditions deteriorating.”
Mr Timbs accused Gupta of “playing for time”.
“Sanjeev Gupta does not deserve more time from creditors to meet his debts and we are urging Tahmoor creditors to demand liquidation if he does not come to the table on serious offers,” Mr Timbs said.
“Mr Gupta’s record is one of disaster and broken promises for regional communities.
“The drama must end now.”
Read More: Wollondilly, Southern Highlands, Tahmoor