Category: People & Workforce

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will donate $1.5m to the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to support communities impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.The donation will help establish a recovery and resilience fund that will be administered by the DFES. The fund will support clean-up and rebuilding, restoration of essential services, assistance for households and small businesses and initiatives that strengthen preparedness ahead of future cyclones.WA Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia comments on the initiative.“WA is no stranger to severe weather, and Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is a reminder of how important it is that we are prepared and able to respond quickly when communities are impacted,” he said.“This contribution will help strengthen the state’s ability to prepare for future events. I thank Rio Tinto for stepping up and backing Western Australians and our emergency services.”Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Matthew Holcz says the company’s focus is on helping affected communities access support and strengthening their ability to recover from future events.“The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and other frontline organisations play a critical role in keeping Western Australians safe, and we are proud to support their work alongside the many volunteers and agencies helping people through this recovery,” he said.“We extend our thoughts to everyone impacted, and we thank the emergency services personnel and community groups who have worked tirelessly to respond. We hope this support helps communities rebuild and move forward.”In addition, Rio Tinto employees can support recovery efforts through the company’s employee giving program, RioGivers, where matched giving helps amplify the impact of individual donations to communities affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

A worker has died at a quarry in Sheldon following a fatal forklift incident. Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has confirmed it is investigating the incident and enquiries are underway. “Our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” a RSHQ spokesperson said. 

Electrical workers across BHP’s (ASX: BHP) Pilbara operations began protected industrial action this morning.The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) says the action covers 60 workers across BHP’s Pilbara high-voltage network and includes a ban on overtime, out-of-hours callouts between 6pm and 6am (except in situations which may pose a threat to safety), stepping into supervisor roles and mentoring and training of new high-voltage operators.Some measures will run for a two-week period while others are expected to continue indefinitely.ETA WA secretary Adam Woodage says workers had taken a considered and responsible approach to industrial action.“The safety of the community and other workers is non-negotiable and will always come first,” he said.“Our members don’t take this step lightly, but they are serious about getting the company back to the bargaining table, and BHP’s refusal to bargain in good faith has left them with no alternative.”A BHP spokesperson said the company does not expect any operational impacts.CME chief executive Aaron Morey says the unions only motivation is a short-term cash grab.“They are seeking to effectively double remuneration to $400,000 while also dictating rostering and workforce composition,” he said.“Pilbara iron ore workers are already among the best paid in the country, a result that has been achieved through decades of direct bargaining grounded in the understanding that pay rises are only sustainable when linked to productivity gains.”Mr Woodage says this is not an extraordinary ask.“It’s the standard across workplaces in this country,” he said.“This is targeted, proportionate action… our members want to send a clear message to BHP that they want a genuine say in their wages and conditions, and they want to be treated fairly.“Industrial action and the threat of further escalation will recede the moment BHP stops hiding behind its expensive lawyers and starts bargaining properly with the workers who keep the company running.“Under our order, we’ve built in clear escalation points for industrial action, but this can be resolved quickly if BHP comes back to the table in good faith.”

A subcontractor has died following a light vehicle incident at Vault Minerals’ (ASX: VAU) King of the Hills (KoTH) mine site yesterday morning.Vault said operations at KoTH were voluntarily suspended yesterday to allow WA Police and the WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) to carry out site investigations. Operations are expected to resume today.The deceased was an employee of DeltaFM, a subcontractor engaged by the catering contractor at the site.According to Vault, the worker was a passenger in a light vehicle travelling on a 40km/h section of the site access road when the vehicle left the road.The driver sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical treatment.Vault said the incident was reported to WA Police and the WA LGIRS and the company is assisting with their respective investigations.

Recent South32 (ASX: S32) chief operating officer Vanessa Torres will succeed Mark Norwell as the managing director and chief executive of Perenti (ASX: PRN) this year.Dr Torres joined South32 in 2018 and held senior roles — including chief technology officer, chief technical officer and chief operating officer — and has more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles.Prior to joining South32, she spent 11 years at BHP (ASX: BHP) in a range of senior executive roles across strategy and operations and held senior leadership roles at Vale in South and North America.Perenti board chair Diane Smith-Gander says the board’s decision was based on a rigorous recruitment process involving exceptional internal and external candidates with a focus on supporting our long-term growth ambitions.“I would first like to acknowledge Mark’s significant contribution to Perenti. Under his leadership, Perenti has delivered more than a four-fold revenue growth since he commenced in 2018 and achieved material improvements across all key financial metrics,” she said.“His genuine care for people has been a hallmark of his leadership, driving a strong focus on developing our people and progressing our journey to create safe and respectful workplaces.“On behalf of the board and the entire Perenti workforce, I would like to thank Mark for his leadership in the transformation of Perenti and for his continued support through the transition.“Vanessa is a highly accomplished executive with extensive operational and leadership experience across global mining operations, and she brings the ideal combination of strategic capability, operational excellence, industry insight and people focused leadership to the role.”Commenting on her appointment Dr Torres says she looks forward to working collaboratively with the board and management team to continue the development and delivery of the Perenti strategy to create enduring value and certainty for clients, people, communities and shareholders.“It is an honour to have been appointed as Perenti’s next managing director and chief executive at such an exciting time for the business and in a pivotal moment for the mining industry,” she said.Dr Torres will commence with Perenti on April 13 and will be appointed as the managing director and chief executive on June 1.Mr Norwell will remain with the company to provide transition support through June and into FY27.

The University of Queensland (UQ) has been ranked 5th in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for mineral and mining engineering.The QS rankings assessed subject areas at more than 1,900 institutions worldwide, based on academic and employer reputation, research impact and international research collaboration.UQ’s top five ranking reflects the strength and breadth of its mining education, spanning undergraduate study, postgraduate coursework, higher degree research and professional development.Programs at UQ are designed in close partnership with industry to equip graduates and professionals with the skills needed to support safe, productive and sustainable mining operations.UQ School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering Professor Ross McAree says the ranking recognises the university’s strong commitment to sustainability and industry relevance in education and research.“This result reflects the way we design our mining education and research programs,” he said.“They are informed by industry and focused on delivering more productive and sustainable outcomes across the life of mine.“Our graduates and professionals are equipped to tackle today’s challenges, from decarbonisation and automation to safety, environmental performance and community outcomes.”In total, 17 UQ subjects were ranked in the world’s top 50, reinforcing the university’s role in developing the skilled workforce required to drive growth in priority disciplines for 2032 and beyond.UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute director Professor Rick Valneta says the ranking also reflected the impact of UQ’s research led approach to sustainable mining.“UQ integrates world leading expertise across mining, mineral processing, geology, environment, safety, social responsibility and mineral security to support a responsible supply of minerals,” he said.“This recognition highlights the importance of evidence-based solutions and strong collaboration with industry, governments and civil society as the sector transitions to more sustainable practices.”

Lifeline WA and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) have entered a new four year partnership to support the hundreds of Western Australian volunteers who answer calls from people in crisis.The partnership will direct $1.8m to the agency, with $1.2m dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the 540 Lifeline WA volunteer crisis supporters.This marks the first time a corporate partner has directly funded Lifeline WA's crisis supporter wellbeing program, which employs four dedicated part-time wellbeing officers to provide one-on-one debriefs, weekly check-ins and access to mental health resources for crisis supporters.The program also provides wellbeing activities, podcasts and training materials tailored to the unique pressures of crisis line volunteering.The partnership will also support Lifeline WA to deliver mental health outreach and training in regional communities, schools and frontline services across the state, helping build practical skills that stay long after each visit.Lifeline WA chief executive Lorna MacGregor says training a crisis supporter is a significant investment of time and resources.“But more than that, these are people who carry a profound emotional load for the good of our community,” she said.“Rio Tinto has been with us through the training of our volunteers, and now they're with us in caring for them. That continuity of support is something we don't take for granted."Rio Tinto's support recognises that the mental health of those on the frontline of crisis care matters too. This funding gives us the capacity to better retain and care for the extraordinary volunteers who answer the call."Lifeline WA and Rio Tinto have partnered since 2024, with the company previously investing $860,000 over two years to fund the training of crisis supporters including 60 new volunteers trained in the last 12 months.Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Matthew Holcz says crisis supporters offer compassion, stability and hope to people experiencing distress when they need it most.“They support thousands of Western Australians every year, but they also need support themselves,” he said.“That’s why our newest partnership with Lifeline WA is about helping sustain the people who sustain others.“Access to mental health support can be harder to come by in regional WA and for FIFO workers. This partnership is one of the ways we are making a difference.”The new partnership is a deliberate evolution from building a workforce to sustaining it.

The WA Government has opened nominations for the 2026 Resource Sector Awards for Excellence.The program features two categories recognising innovation, strong environmental performance and meaningful community partnerships across the WA resources sector. The long-standing Golden Gecko Award celebrates leadership in environmental management, and the Community Partnership Resources Sector Award celebrates collaboration that delivers lasting benefits for local communities.Last year's winners demonstrated the range of positive impacts being delivered across the sector.BHP (ASX: BHP) and Child Australia were recognised for their Thriving Futures initiative, which supports childcare workforce development in Newman and Port Hedland.WA1 Resources and Tjamu Tjamu Aboriginal Corporation received the Emerging Community Partnership Award for improving remote access routes and creating employment pathways.In the Golden Gecko category, BHP was recognised for its native seed production work at Yandi, while BiSN was honoured for its environmentally focused well technology.WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says last year’s finalists and winners showed how innovation and genuine partnership can deliver real outcomes for WA."These awards once again provide an opportunity to highlight leadership across the sector and acknowledge the people and projects helping to shape WA's future,” he said.Entries are assessed on their individual merits, and multiple awards may be presented in each category.Nominations for the 2026 awards close on May 12 with winners to be announced at a ceremony in October.

A fatal accident involving a contractor has occurred at Nickel Industries’ (ASX: NIC) Hengjaya mine in Indonesia.All operations have since been suspended at the mine pending an investigation by the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources which is expected to commence on March 27.The contractor, engaged by PT Fajar Metal Industry, was working on the construction of transmission lines for the slurry plant and dry stacked tailings facility infrastructure when the fatal accident occurred, according to Nickel Industries.The company said it is cooperating with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and will provide further updates as they become available.Nickel Industries extended its condolences to the contractor’s family, friends and fellow workers and said support is being provided.

Electrical workers at BHP’s (ASX: BHP) Pilbara mining operations have voted for protected industrial action, following more than a year of negotiations.The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) says the vote is the first at a mine operator in the Pilbara in decades and covers 60 workers on BHP’s Pilbara high-voltage network.The workers are seeking a workplace agreement that covers annual pay adjustments, classifications, travel time, higher duties and on-call arrangements and would replace a patchwork of “wildly disparate individual contracts,” according to the ETU.“ETU members working at BHP in the Pilbara are highly skilled. They perform difficult, specialist, high-risk work,” ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage said.“For years they have been working under wildly disparate individual contracts, with basic conditions at the whim of individual managers, who have played favourites and built personal empires through the selective application of company policies.”WA CME chief executive Aaron Morey says the move, which opens the door to the first resources sector strike in the Pilbara in decades, sends a worrying signal to global investors.“This is a dangerous turn for the Pilbara. Industrial conflict and dispute doesn’t just hurt investment – ultimately, it hurts workers and WA families,” Mr Morey said.“The log of claims put forward by the ETU is not grounded in reality. It proposes total remuneration packages comparable to the WA Premier while also seeking to dictate rostering patterns and workforce composition. Simply put, the union’s demands are unworkable.”Following the ballot, covered workers can take work stoppages lasting between 15 minutes and 48 hours. Workers can also refuse permit issuance, switching programs, on-call and overtime work, high-risk work and attending management-led meetings.Mr Woodage said that unions wanted to be a force for peace in the Pilbara, but that could only happen if companies were willing to engage in genuine productive negotiations.“Today’s vote is the result of hubris by BHP. Their disagreement with the people who keep the lights on and the ore moving has reached this point because of a protracted, deliberate and short-sighted refusal on the part of the company to negotiate a reasonable, consistent agreement,” he said.“Workers put a position to BHP more than 12 months ago hoping to commence negotiation of a fair, reasonable, transparent agreement. The company has refused to negotiate on a single point.“This refusal left workers with no other way forward than to pursue protected industrial action.“It’s nobody’s preferred way forwards, but when it is the only way forward it is one that we are more than prepared to take.Mr Morey says similar strikes, frequent in the 1970s and 1980s, damaged WA’s reputation as a trading partner, leading to investment flowing into Brazil, creating an iron ore industry that today remains WA’s biggest competitor.“The conflict in the Middle East provides a stark reminder of the importance of the strategic importance of WA’s export industries,” he said.“Our reputation as a reliable supplier of minerals and energy to Asian markets is one of our greatest strengths as we seek to navigate the unfolding global energy challenge.“We cannot afford to damage that reputation through industrial disputes based on unrealistic union demands.”Mr Woodage says the door remains open should BHP wish to meaningfully commence negotiations.Proposed actions will not be taken in any situation where the safety of workers or the community may be threatened, according to the ETU.

BHP’s (ASX: BHP) Mike Henry will step down on July 1 after six and a half years as chief executive, with Brandon Craig set to succeed him.This comes as the company continues to simplify its portfolio, having demerged its petroleum business, high grading its coal business and pivoted towards copper and potash under Mr Henry.BHP says its copper operations coupled with its soon-to-be-commissioned potash mine leaves the company well placed to deliver high-margin growth into the future.Mr Craig brings more than 25 years of operational and corporate leadership experience at BHP to the role.Currently serving as BHP’s President Americas, Mr Craig has overseen BHP becoming the world’s largest copper producer and advanced high-quality growth options in copper and potash.Under Mr Craig, BHP increased copper guidance for FY26 and FY27, targeting about 2.5mtpa of copper equivalent production by the mid-2030s. Escondida also extended its grade and production guidance through productivity improvements and a focus on operational excellence.With iron still a major market for the miner, Mr Craig has had crucial experience leading the WA Iron Ore business. BHP says he improved operational performance and increased the company’s lead as the lowest cost, highest margin major iron ore producer in the world.Mr Craig says it is an honour and privilege to succeed Mike Henry as chief executive.“Thanks to his leadership, BHP is well positioned for the future,” he said. “ will be remembered for his strategic decision-making, portfolio transformation, operational excellence and focus on safety and high-performance culture.“As incoming CEO, I am committed to leading the talented and hard-working people who make BHP a great company and continuing to generate long-term value for all our shareholders.”Mr Henry says it has been a privilege to serve as chief executive of BHP and to have worked with so many truly talented people.“I am proud of what we have achieved together,” he said.“BHP is a safer and higher performing company and is better positioned for future growth.“We are creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners and our communities.“ is an excellent choice as chief executive, and I wish him every success in the role.”BHP says under Mr Henry’s leadership, it achieved a gender balanced workforce, a 30% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions and stronger partnerships with Indigenous peoples.