Workers at Bowen Basin coalmines have helped BHP to a staggering A$9 billion half-yearly profit, showing the company can well afford to listen to employees’ concerns in current EBA talks, the CFMEU Miners Union said today.

Today’s company report revealed BHP’s Central Queensland coal assets generated $3.5 billion and management say more heavy investment is yet to come.

Despite heavy rains and flooding, the Bowen Basin’s coalmines brought in a $1.2 billion profit before tax, or $3 million a day.

BHP’s Metallurgical Coal division – nearly all coking coal is sourced from the Bowen Basin – has a profit margin of 35%, the third highest of all BHP’s global businesses.

The coal division profits have blown away claims that any industrial action could risk the future viability of its mines and merely underlines the arrogance of management’s refusal to listen to its own workforce, CFMEU District President Stephen Smyth said.

“Ever since employees overwhelmingly rejected BHP’s proposed Agreement, management have trotted out the usual excuses that the company couldn’t possibly afford to address workers’ concerns,” Mr Smyth said.

“How it isn’t viable to offer proper crib breaks for employees working 12-hour night shifts.

“How productivity depended on replacing safety officers performing vital open-cut examiner and mine deputy roles with management.

“Today’s half-yearly results clealy show BHP can afford to start listening to the concerns of the workers helping it to some of the biggest company profits in Australian history.”

The report also revealed the company continued to consider coal mining in Central Queensland a hugely profitable business, a fact underlined by its massive investments in the region.

Last Friday, Bowen Basin coalmine workers overwhelmingly approved taking protected stoppages across BHP’s seven mines.

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