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Anglo American, the London-listed mining group led by South African executive Duncan Wanblad, is cutting jobs in Australia’s Bowen Basin and at its Brisbane head office. The move adds to a grim week for Queensland’s coal sector after rival BHP also announced large-scale redundancies.
The Isaac Regional Council, which covers the coal-rich Bowen Basin, said about 200 jobs will be affected. Anglo American corporate relations executive Ben Mansour said the cuts are aimed at “ensuring the long-term sustainability” of its steelmaking coal operations.
“These changes are essential to secure the future of our central Queensland mines,” Mansour said. “We need to focus on safe, core operations while adjusting to lower coal prices and rising costs.” The Grosvenor underground mine near Moranbah, closed since a fire in June 2024, is expected to take the biggest hit, with workers offered redundancies.
BHP layoffs add to industry pressure
Anglo’s announcement came just a day after BHP said it would shed 750 jobs in the region. Stuart Bocking, chief executive of industry group Coal Australia, warned that the combined cuts could trigger further losses across suppliers and contractors. “Almost 1,000 jobs disappeared in 24 hours,” Bocking said. “Without urgent action from the state government, thousands more could be at risk.”
BHP blamed falling coal prices and Queensland’s royalty regime, introduced in 2022, which imposes the world’s highest maximum tax on coal revenue. The system requires miners to pay 20 percent once prices exceed $175 per ton, 30 percent above $225, and 40 percent when prices climb beyond $300. BHP CEO Mike Henry said the royalty structure has eroded margins, leaving the company with less flexibility to maintain unprofitable production during downturns.
The job cuts come as Anglo American works to exit coal and reshape its portfolio. The company operates the Moranbah North, Grosvenor, Capcoal, and Dawson mines in Queensland but is seeking buyers for those assets. Earlier this month, Anglo confirmed a merger with Canada’s Teck Resources to create a copper-focused mining leader. The deal is expected to shift its headquarters to Vancouver and could result in further job losses in London.
Anglo restructures as it exits coal
Founded in 1917, Anglo American has built a diversified portfolio that includes platinum, diamonds, copper, nickel, and iron ore. Wanblad, who took over as CEO in April 2022, has led the corporation through a major restructure. In the first half of 2025, revenue fell 7 percent to $8.95 billion while EBITDA dropped 20 percent.
In March, the miner also announced job cuts in Johannesburg and London and plans to spin off a majority stake in Anglo American Platinum. Meanwhile, Brazil is reviewing its $500 million nickel deal with China-backed MMG, drawing more scrutiny to Wanblad’s broader strategy.
