Meetings held by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia with staff are yet to provide much insight.

The CFMEU met with its members at Gujarat’s two underground Southern Coalfields mines in New South Wales yesterday to hear their concerns.

“During these two three-hour consultation sessions it was made clear that the issues facing members are difficult and complex with no immediate resolution reached today,” a CFMEU spokesman said.

“Factors making today's meetings more difficult were the lack of information readily available from the company and a lack of prior consultation made by Gujarat to the union as to company's current financial situation.

“At all levels the union is committed towards a resolution for members – discussions have been ongoing for some time and have involved appearances before Fair Work Australia and meetings between mine management, company officials and local, district and national officials of the union.”

CFMEU will next meet with local worksite representatives on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, APESMA collieries staff division director Catherine Bolger told ILN she did not have enough information about Gujarat’s financial situation to comment.

A cash boost from a long-anticipated share offer to India’s Jindal Steel and Power could pay staff their outstanding wages and superannuation, but the completion of such a deal on October 16 is still a long way away for some workers.

“I hope that Jindal Steel will provide some funds in advance of October 16 because obviously it is essential that staff get paid,” Bolger told ILN.

“They have been very patient and they are really trying to work with the company to get through these difficulties but they have financial obligations like mortgages. It would be terrific if Jindal were able to advance some money. ”

APESMA met with its about 100 Gujarat members on Friday with Bolger saying they were committed to the company but hoping the non-payment last week would soon be rectified.

Gujarat has also skipped on making superannuation payments since about March.

Bolger said employees had been aware of this for a number of months.

“The company has always undertaken that as soon as the money and the deal comes through with Jindal that those payments will be made,” she said.

“The deal with Jindal is just taking longer than expected.”

Last week Gujarat apologised for the inconvenience caused by delaying its weekly wage payments.

It expects operations and cashflow to stabilise once Jindal’s share offer is accepted at a general meeting on October 16, and said this meeting was initially planned for September but postponed due to “procedural issues”

“We hope to make the payments as soon as possible and to keep the delay to an absolute minimum,” Gujarat executive chairman Arun Jagatramka said on Thursday.

“As we hear daily, Australia is experiencing a mining downturn – the drop in the coal price and a high Australian dollar all are major contributors.

“Gujarat NRE is also experiencing these difficult times but is working to maintain its workforce.”

Jindal aims to buy $66 million worth of Gujarat shares at 20c each through the share offer.

Meanwhile, Gujarat’s appeal to the Federal Court was dismissed yesterday with the miner required to pay more than $A9 million to Singapore-based Coeclerici Asia over matters relating to a failed coal delivery, plus legal expenses.