BHP announced 95 job cuts from the mine in late July, which followed a culling of 260 jobs across in June and early July.

With the latest news the total workforce of the mine will shrink to about 1500 staff.

The operation is thought to be producing just 20 million tonnes per annum from its 32Mtpa nameplate capacity in recent months.

BHP’s latest job cuts are planned to impact both contractors and full-time employees.

BHP NSW energy coal asset president Peter Sharpe said the changes were required in an effort to reset the operation’s cost base.

“The Australian coal industry continues to experience difficult market conditions, including continuing low coal prices and a strong Australian dollar,” Sharpe said.

“We have made progress at Mt Arthur Coal in our efforts to reset our cost base, but regrettably, an additional 150 roles will be made redundant by the end of February 2015 as a result of further operational efficiencies.

“We understand this will be difficult for our people and we will be working closely with affected employees throughout the process.”

BHP received long-awaited NSW Planning Assessment Commission approval in September to extend the life of the mine by four years to 2026.