Hunter mining supported more than 15,300 jobs in the region last financial year, an increase of more than 1,700 jobs on the previous year and the highest number since 2012.
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The figures, taken from the NSW Minerals Council's latest Member Expenditure Survey, highlight the industry's ongoing economic contribution to the region's economy.
The companies also injected $8.2 billion into the Hunter economy in the last financial year - an increase of nearly $2 billion on the previous year.
It was the fourth year in a row that direct mining spending in the Hunter has been over $6 billion.
"Mining companies in the Hunter are spending at record levels, while also supporting a record number of Hunter jobs, highlighting the importance of mining for local mining communities and the region's economy," NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said.
"These record results are a timely reminder of the need for policies that support a strong mining sector for the future of the Hunter."
The $8.2 billion of direct mining spending in the Hunter last financial year included almost $1.9 billion on wages and salaries, and $6.3 billion for goods and services purchased from over 2,700 mining supplier businesses across the Hunter region.
An analysis of these results found the $8.2 billion of direct spending of the 28 participating mining companies in the last financial year contributed 25 per cent of the gross regional product of the Hunter region's economy during this period.
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
