A mining service provider indefinitely scaled back production because it does not have enough workers.
Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) recently reported a skills shortage across its operations forced it to postpone delivering huge volumes of iron ore each day since the beginning of 2021.
“MRL has experienced haulage constraints caused by a shortage of truck drivers resulting from the unplanned sudden state border closures, implemented following COVID-19 outbreaks around the country,” the company said in its March quarterly report.
“This shortage has meant that, on average, hauling capacity of approximately 10,000 wet metric tonnes (wmt) otherwise available to MRL was sitting idle.”
MRL also experienced production setbacks due to crusher conversion work, “abnormally high” weather delays, wet ore constraints, and both train delays and cancellations due to a bushfire near Kwinana.
Staff shortages continue
The company revealed there is no exact timeframe for when new workers will be hired, suggesting the employer is still desperately trying to hire new staff.
“It is not clear when these haulage issues will be resolved and, therefore, iron ore shipment guidance for FY21 is now expected to be in the 17.4 million to 18M wmt range,” it said. “[Our 2021 financial year] guidance of 19.5M wmt to 20.5M wmt was based on an expected increase in shipments aligning with production.”
Hiring now
The proponent is now recruiting for several job vacancies, including:
- dump truck operators (multiple positions)
- simulator training coordinator
- senior environmental advisor
- MEM boilermakers (multiple)
- all rounder utilities (multiple)
- mining engineers (multiple)
- emergency services officer
- senior land access officer
- senior electrical designer
- service people (multiple)
- pit technicians (multiple)
- kitchen hands (multiple)
- housekeepers (multiple)
- electricians (multiple)
- drill fitters (multiple)
- mining surveyor.
Successful applicants will be offered either permanent or casual work. Roles are residential or on a fly-in fly-out roster of either three weeks on one week off or two weeks on one week off. Competitive wages, five weeks of annual leave, superannuation, accommodation camps, meals and facilities are promised.
There is also potential to be based at Rio Tinto projects that are touted to offer “brand new equipment”.
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