The last of the site’s workforce, about 50 employees, attended an emotional gate-shutting ceremony at lunchtime, ending the company’s proud association with Muswellbrook and Singleton.

Two-hundred locals finished up a fortnight ago, after the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) rejected Anglo American’s Drayton South project on three occasions.

“It’s a devastating blow to the Upper Hunter community – from Singleton to Scone, Muswellbrook to Denman,” one man said.

“But, it’s been an absolute pleasure working alongside these people who I call friends.”