Bloomfield celebrates 75th anniversary as family-owned coalmine

Speaking on the eve of the mine’s 75th anniversary celebrations today,  Bloomfield Collieries managing director John Richards said his ‘‘small’’ operation was a success because of its consistency of management and employment over past decades.

‘‘... and good customers,’’ Mr Richards said, as he waited for Japanese buyers to arrive.

Bloomfield is one of the oldest continuous open cut operations in the Hunter Valley and is owned by Mr Richards and other members of his family.

More than 1000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only celebrations this morning.

Among them will be Flo Taylor, the wife of Gordon Taylor, one of the company’s original employees.

The colliery was established by the Cant family in 1937.

The Cants ran a mine at Dudley, where Gordon Taylor worked before he moved to Bloomfield.

Bloomfield is in stark contrast to the coal industry’s more familiar corporate profile of large multinational companies and fly-in-fly-out workers.

‘‘We tend to ride out volatility year to year,’’ Mr Richards said.

‘‘We have not tried to expand in the mad rush [for coal].’’

Mr Richards said customers considered Bloomfield as an alternative supply that provided competition for the other major producers. 

Bloomfield produces about 600,000 tonnes a year.

This compares with 10,000 tonnes that was produced in the late 1930s using steam equipment.

Examples of the equipment will be on display today along with some of the company’s newest mine vehicles.

Maitland mayor Peter Blackmore will open today’s celebrations.

The Bloomfield Group operates Rix’s Creek mine, which produces about 1.5 million tonnes.

It also has a half share in Bickham Coal, which wants to operate an open-cut mine near Murrurundi, a project which has caused strong community opposition.

It application for Bickham is being considered by the NSW government.