About 360 coal workers have been sacked from a central Queensland mine.
The cuts were made after mining services company Macmahon lost a contract at BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance's Saraji mine.
Today, shares in the miner were up 24 cents, or 0.7%, at $32.65.
They were part of the estimated 3300 job cuts predicted in January across BHP Billiton's Australian operations by the end of this financial year.
The company's January production report showed metallurgical coal production over the financial year was expected to be down 10 to 15%.
"Our industry is facing difficult market conditions and BMA is not immune from the impacts," a company spokesman said.
"We ... will continue to adjust production and work schedule requirements in line with market demand and our customer requirements.
"The adjustment of contractor levels to suit production requirements is our normal business practice."
Comment is being sought from the coal mining unions.
AAP
