A day before the hearings, the Bickham Coal Company issued a media release saying new economic research showed jobs created from the proposed Bickham Coal Mine could be significantly greater than they had previously claimed.

Conducted by the Hunter Valley Research Foundation (HVRF), the research said the 36 million tonne mine could create 386 jobs, 286 of which would be full time jobs.

Previous estimates made by the NSW Department of Planning said there could be 100 full time and 200 indirect jobs.

The press release said the HVRF research said the mine would deliver up to $150 million to the Hunter Valley economy annually, or $3.7 billion over the 25 year life of the mine.

Royalties from the mine to the State Government could exceed $216.4 million.

The media release said HVRF notes said the Upper Hunter population decreased by 7.8 per cent from 1996 to 2006 with the population of 25 to 39-year-olds falling by 24 per cent.

Bickham Coal Company said although the population grew between 2001 and 2006 the proposed mine would draw more employees to the area.

“It is expected that most employees would be male and new recruits that are likely to bring their families with them,” the release said.

Bickham Coal director John Richards said the company would employ local people where possible and it was welcome news that they can create more local jobs than first anticipated.

“At times it is difficult to keep count of how many people are contacting us to ask about job opportunities,” Mr Richards said.