From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

  • Mining giant BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance has announced it is to axe 700 jobs at its central Queensland mines.
  • cut represents about seven per cent of its workforce
  • Employees, contractors and their representatives will be consulted in the coming weeks
  • BMA Asset president Lucas Dow said the coal industry continued to face challenging market conditions and had to act to ensure the long-term viability of the business