BHP Cuts 300 Jobs at Pilbara Iron Ore Mines
BHP is cutting around 300 jobs across its iron ore mines in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The mining giant says the move is aimed at ensuring the business can continue to make a significant contribution to the region and the state.
Mining giant BHP has confirmed job cuts at its iron ore operations in Western Australia. The company is slashing jobs across several of its iron ore mines in the Pilbara.
Around 300 jobs will be axed across BHP's South Flank, Mining Area C, Jimblebar and Newman operations in the state's Pilbara. In a statement, a spokesperson said the miner was making changes to ensure the business could continue to "make a significant contribution" to the region and the state, but did not specify how many jobs would go.
"As we always do, we will seek to redeploy people into other roles elsewhere in the business where possible," the spokesperson said.
Government Response
Minister for the Pilbara Amber-Jade Sanderson said the decision was very disappointing.
"We strongly urge BHP to redeploy these workers, these are highly needed skills across the sector and across our economy," she said.
"But we will be working as a government ... to make sure that we have the jobs and skills centres ready to support these workers as they need to transition into new industries."
Union Reaction
WA Electrical Trades Union (ETU) state secretary Adam Woodage called the cuts a "senseless attack".
"This is another sad reflect of a once-great Australian mining company that has lost its way and forgotten its values," Mr Woodage said.
"The fact that this has been announced in the media flouts the requirement to consult with workers and their representatives before taking an action like this."
The ETU's engagement in that consultation will be robust, and we will require the company to provide proof that every redundancy is genuinely required.
Mr Woodage suggested BHP could instead cut costs within executive bonuses and corporate lobbying.
Ongoing Dispute
The cuts come amid an ongoing dispute between BHP and unions over pay and conditions at its Port Hedland operations that has included a series of recent strikes.
The unions have lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission in a bid to settle the matter.
BHP electricians on sites near Newman have also lodged an application for supported bargaining with the commission.