The mine was shut down at 2pm on Tuesday to the shock and dismay of more than 260 employees. Day shift were called to a meeting as they finished for the day and were delivered the news along with an envelope for each employee which contained their retrenchment pack.

Afternoon shift were told as they arrived for work at 2.30pm as were the night shift (Dog-watch). Comments throughout the community had the news coming out of nowhere. Shocked employees went home to tell their families — in some cases families found out on Facebook.

As the news spread throughout the district many were left with a heaviness in their stomach knowing the ripple effect will have a major impact on the entire community. Some families had more than one member at the pit while others are heavily mortgaged with small children.

Angus Place has always been known in the local community as the stable pit. The pit that carried Springvale when they could not meet contracts. The pit that apprentices felt safe at knowing the stability of its previous employment rates.

Owners of the mine, Centennial Coal, have stated 100 positions will be available across two other mines, Springvale and Clarence. Managing Director of Centennial, David Moult said the intention is to increase production at both mines to absorb as many staff from Angus Place as possible.

“It's not an easy decision to have to make,” Mr Moult said.

“The downturn in world coal prices and the mothballing of Wallerawang Power Station have contributed to the decision.

“The export price of coal has now halved over the past four years which makes the western coalfields less viable for export costs.”

Centennial are in negotiation with Mt Piper power station to supply three tonne of coal for domestic consumption.

“Springvale will produce enough coal to fill the Mt Piper quota and supply coal for export,” Mr Moult said.

“The problem with Angus Place is it will take $220 to $250 million to move longwall operations into the new area approved for extraction.

“With little return on export prices the expansion planned is not viable for this time.

“Centennial have a 12 month lead time back to full production.

“If there is a turn around in prices Angus Place will be in operation sooner rather than later.

“If no turn around is in the near future 2018 has been set down to begin the process of reinstating the mine to full production by the early 2020s. Long wall operations at Angus Place are expected to continue until February 2015 and wrap up before April 2015.

This will allow close to 70 staff members to retain their position at the pit. Centennial Coal will continue to support local community projects as in the past.

“It's not the end of Centennial and Angus Place,” Mr Moult said.

“Centennial Coal is one of the most prepared companies to cope in economic down turns and the markets are bound to turn around at some stage.

“We will be ready to bring prosperity back into the community.”

Angus Place was built in 1979 by the Electricity Commission, Centennial Coal purchase the mine in 2002. It was only in 2013 that Angus Place set new daily, weekly, monthly and annual production records from both the longwall and development activities.

Many staff members have only ever worked at the one mine while Angus Place has been the saving grace when other local mines have closed down.

Camaraderie amongst staff will be missed on fundraiser days and local pit challenges (all in the name of charity) however all who work in the industry know the fickleness and will band together as mates in troubled times.