Sanjeev Gupta, a British-Indian billionaire industrialist whose business empire has been plagued by financial troubles and broken promises, is being pressured to accept a $350 million offer for Australia's Tahmoor coal mine and end the uncertainty for hundreds of workers. The Mining and Energy Union called on Gupta to accept the bid from RStar, a major mining contractor that employs 250 workers at the mine. Those workers have been stood down without pay since the mine shut down in February 2025. If Gupta refuses, the union wants creditors to force the mine into liquidation. "If this mine is no

Sanjeev Gupta, a British-Indian billionaire industrialist whose business empire has been plagued by financial troubles and broken promises, is being pressured to accept a $350 million offer for Australia's Tahmoor coal mine and end the uncertainty for hundreds of workers.

The Mining and Energy Union called on Gupta to accept the bid from RStar, a major mining contractor that employs 250 workers at the mine. Those workers have been stood down without pay since the mine shut down in February 2025. If Gupta refuses, the union wants creditors to force the mine into liquidation.

"If this mine is not sold to a serious and reputable operator soon, it will become harder and harder to restart it safely," said Bob Timbs, the union's district president. "We are very concerned that Mr Gupta is playing for time to try and hold on to Tahmoor, which he has already milked for profits to fund his failed ventures elsewhere."

The Tahmoor mine, located in New South Wales, has been caught up in the wider collapse of Gupta's GFG Alliance business empire. Documents reveal the mine transferred $427 million to prop up Gupta's struggling Whyalla steelworks in South Australia, leaving it unable to pay its own debts and restart operations.

Up to 700 workers, including both direct employees and contractors, have been affected by the shutdown. Many live in the Illawarra region and the town of Tahmoor, which is suffering economically without the mine operating.

Gupta has rejected the $350 million offer from RStar, according to The Australian newspaper. His company says it's working to secure financing to restart the mine, but the union says workers are tired of empty promises.

"Mr Gupta's record is one of disaster and broken promises for regional communities," Timbs said. "The drama must end now."

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