Mining communities fear they may become "collateral damage" in a coal royalty dispute after hundreds more jobs were lost in the resources sector.
Anglo American Australia became the second mining giant in as many days to announce layoffs in Queensland, with up to 200 jobs believed to be affected.
The news comes after the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance confirmed it would axe 750 jobs across the state and mothball its Saraji South mine from November.
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance blamed the cuts on the government's "unsustainable" royalties regime and market conditions, claiming the state coal industry was reaching "crisis point".
A day later, Anglo American Australia confirmed redundancies from its Brisbane head office and central Queensland mines.
This includes the Grosvenor underground mine at Moranbah in the Isaac region, which hasn't reopened since an underground fire in June 2024.
"Our focus is on supporting safe, core operations and simplifying our business to adapt to ongoing market pressures - including lower coal prices and rising costs," Anglo American Australia's Ben Mansour said in a statement on Thursday.
The Isaac region was already reeling from BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's decision to close the Saraji South site, one of its longest-running steelmaking coal mines with operations starting in 1974.
Grosvenor is the second Anglo American Australia mine that is not operational in the region, with the nearby Moranbah North offline since March after a gas ignition.
"It's been a really hard week for the community with over 1000 jobs being cut from this sector in the last week," Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said.
"Out on the coal fields we are used to the highs and lows, the booms and busts, but this is a particularly hard time."
Coal royalties were not to blame for Anglo American Australia's job cuts, the Mining and Energy Union said.
The company announced the redundancies with two mines offline and in the wake of Peabody Energy's decision to terminate a planned acquisition of Anglo American's Queensland coal assets in August.
"It's not surprising that Anglo are undertaking a restructure. This is a very different circumstance to BHP," the union's Mitch Hughes said.
Ms Vea Vea called on the Queensland government to "take control" in the royalties dispute with the mining companies, saying communities felt like they were caught in the crossfire.
"What we don't want to be as communities is collateral damage in a battle between major mining companies and the state government," she said.
The BHP-Mitsubishi joint venture took aim at Queensland's coal royalty scheme after confirming the job cuts, sparking calls for reform from mining lobby groups.
Queensland's Liberal National government has refused to make any changes to the state's progressive royalty regime.
The former Labor government introduced the tiered system in 2022, delivering lucrative royalties from mining companies and taking more when coal prices are high.
Ms Vea Vea extended an invitation for the state government to visit and meet with industry and community to "see first hand what is at stake".
"When it comes to the royalties debate, we need the companies and government to get in a room and sort this out," she said.
"Right now, we have industry firing shots across the bow, government with their hands over their ears and communities caught in the crossfire."
The Queensland government insisted it was "not at war" with the mining sector.
"These redundancies are a tough blow for workers, their families and the communities that rely on these jobs, and my thoughts are with every person impacted," National Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said.
"These job losses are a commercial decision by Anglo American and reflect recent challenges that are unique to its operations in Queensland.
"The Crisafulli government backs the coal industry ... and is delivering new investment, cutting red tape and creating long-term job opportunities across regional Queensland."
