July 12, 2025 - Unionized workers have extended a strike at US producer Peabody Energy's Metropolitan coal mine in New South Wales, Australia, halting production until 17:30 AEST (07:30 GMT) on 11 July.

Workers launched the day-long stoppage late on 10 July, extending the previous 24-hour strike, the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) told Argus on 11 July.

Metropolitan has faced significant labor disruptions since 18 June, when Peabody locked workers out of the mixed thermal, hard coking and pulverized coal injection (PCI) mine, without pay, over an ongoing employment dispute. The company's lock-out ended late on 9 July.

The MEU and Peabody are negotiating a new enterprise agreement, but remain at odds over multiple issues, including the use of contractors. Both have engaged in Fair Work Commission-led mediation three times — most recently on 8 July — since the dispute began, but have no further meetings scheduled.

Metropolitan Coal remains fully committed to ongoing good faith negotiations with the union, a Peabody spokesperson told Argus on 10 July.