Mining companies spent $780 million and $437 million in Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs respectively in 2017-18, according to NSW Minerals Council

The organisation’s latest annual member company Expenditure Survey found 28 participants injected $4.3 billion into the “local” economy in 2017-18, supporting thousands of jobs and generating millions in additional spending across the region, particularly in communities such as Singleton and Muswellbrook.

“These survey results show that mining’s contribution to the Hunter economy remains strong, with jobs and the number of local business supported by our members increasing,” Mr Galilee said.

“This direct spending is estimated to have contributed 18 per cent of the Gross Regional Product of the Hunter economy in 2017-18.

“The $4.3 billion included $1.6 billion in wages for 14,045 full-time employees, and $2.6 billion in purchases from 4168 local businesses, along with community contributions and payments to local government.

“In encouraging signs for the Hunter mining sector, the number of direct jobs [in the region] was up by 1441 on last year at 14,045 compared to 12,604 over the previous year.”

The survey found that direct mining spending in the Singleton Local Government Area (LGA) totalled nearly $780 million in 2017-18, including more than $400 million in wages to 2888 full-time employees, an increase of 430 jobs compared to the previous year.  

Purchases with businesses in town totalled nearly $380 million, supporting 660 local businesses, 128 more than 2016-17.

In the Muswellbrook LGA, surveyed mining companies spent in excess of $437 million in 2017-18, including nearly $230 million in wages to 2388 full-time employees, an increase of over 1000 jobs compared to the previous year.  

Purchases with businesses totalled nearly $208 million supporting 660 local businesses, 83 more than 2016-17.

The survey found that direct mining spending in the Newcastle LGA totalled over $1 billion in 2017-18, including $155 million in wages to 1432 full-time employees and $968 million in purchases with 1129 local businesses, 384 more than the previous year.

Throughout NSW, surveyed companies directly spent $10.7 billion in 2017-18, an increase of $300 million compared to 2016-17.

This included over $3 billion in wages to more than 24,000 employees and $5.6 billion on the purchase of goods and services from 7135 local businesses.

“The survey, now completed for a seventh year, confirms that the Hunter continues to depend on mining activity for local jobs, investment and economic growth,” Mr Galilee said.

“The challenge for whoever forms government at the March 23 election will be to implement the right policy settings for mining so our industry can deliver more jobs, more opportunities, and better times for our Hunter mining communities over the long term.”