Recent leaps in digital technology and innovations have triggered mining industry transformations, reshaped existing job roles and formed new opportunities, according to EY’s recent report ‘The Future of Work: The Changing Skills Landscape for Miners’. Technological innovations have triggered industry transformations throughout the ages. When you add recent leaps in digital technology into the mix the result can […]
Controversial WA Uranium Mine Given Approval Day Before Federal Election Was Called
A controversial uranium mine in WA was approved the day before the federal election was called, according to a federal environment department document. The Canadian-owned Yeelirrie uranium mine, about 500 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie, requires state and federal approval. Environment Minister Melissa Price, also the member for Durack in WA, gave the project the green […]
Mining a Top Five Industry for Australian Job Growth
Online recruitment portal SEEK has reported the mining, resources and energy sector as one of the five biggest industries for job growth over the past year. The recruiter revealed the information in its March 2019 employment report, which showed that despite an overall 4.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in advertised jobs across all industries […]
FIFO Workers to be Offered Flexible Rosters
Fly-in, fly-out workers can expect to be offered more flexible work arrangements as mining companies scramble to attract and retain staff amid a growing skilled worker shortage in WA. Mining recruitment specialists say BHP’s recent announcement that it will begin offering a drive-in, drive-out option for workers on its Pilbara mines was the latest example […]
Azuma Resources Company to Start Mining Next Year
The Azuma Resources Limited, an Australian company prospecting for gold in the Upper West Region is set to start surface mining for gold by next year. This follows feasibility studies on its prospecting and exploration stages carried out in the area since 2006, when the company entered the region in 2006 and focused on the […]
FIFO Contractors Lose Travel Pay from BHP
Fly-in, fly-out contractors will no longer be paid for their time travelling to and from remote BHP operations in WA. One subcontractor said the changes put them up to $800 a month out of pocket, at a time when the mining giant’s iron ore price continues to soar. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union State Secretary Steve […]
McGowan Government Launches New FIFO Mental Health Code
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston today launched Australia’s first code of practice to help promote and maintain mentally healthy workplaces for FIFO workers in the resources and construction sectors. The code was developed following extensive public consultation. The ‘Mentally healthy workplaces for fly-in fly-out workers in the resources and construction sectors’ code aims to […]
WA Cashes in on Lithium Boom as Work Begins on World’s Largest Lithium Refinery
What is expected to be the world’s largest lithium refinery has reached a major milestone, with construction starting on the $1 billion project south of Perth. The Kemerton-based refinery, led by United States company Albemarle, is expected to produce 100,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide each year — more than double that of a refinery planned for […]
WA Government to Close Ex-Mining Town
Former Pilbara mining town Wittenoom, which inhabits an area highly contaminated with blue asbestos, will be closed by the Western Australian Government after protracted attempts to relocate the last three residents. Wittenoom, which was degazetted in 2007 and has not received electricity for over a decade, was a bustling Pilbara town from 1939 to 1966 due […]
Wesfarmers $1.5b bid for Rare Earths Miner Lynas
Wesfarmers is planning to dip into its war chest from the spin-off of Coles and the sale of its coal assets and Kmart Tyre and Auto, proposing a $1.5 billion acquisition of rare earths miner Lynas. The conglomerate has made a cash offer of $2.25 per share — a premium of nearly 45 per cent […]