Workers attending this morning’s emergency meeting in Singleton are now leaving the session, with reports from those in attendance suggesting the Ashton underground coal mine could shut operations in early 2027.

The meeting, held by Yancoal at Singleton Civic Centre, is still understood to be underway between management and remaining staff, with discussions focused on the future of the operation.

While the company has not yet made any public confirmation, employees exiting the meeting say they were informed the mine’s future viability and closure timeline were key topics raised during the briefing.

The Ashton underground mine, one of the Hunter Valley’s older coal operations, employs around 300 workers and produces roughly 2.5 million tonnes of coal annually. It has also faced ongoing geological challenges in recent years, including water ingress issues along its longwall panels.

No official statement has yet been released by Yancoal regarding the reported closure timeframe. The situation remains fluid, with further updates expected following the conclusion of the meeting.