Contractor dies at Nickel Industries mine

WorkSafe Victoria has charged the operator of Ballarat gold mine and a mining services company after a worker died and another suffered life-threatening injuries in March 2024.

University graduates invited to work with Glencore Glencore has opened applications for its 2027 graduate program which offers university graduates the opportunity to launch their careers with the leading resources company.Open to graduates in engineering, environmental science, geology, accounting, health and safety, human resources and IT, the program begins in February 2027 and provides a strong foundation for long-term careers in the mining industry.The two-year program combines hands-on site experience with structured development, mentoring from industry leaders and access to a strong professional network, along with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.Since 2020, 668 graduates have joined Glencore’s Australian coal and metals operations, gaining practical experience while contributing to major regional projects and local communities.Glencore coal human resources manager Michelle Montgomery says the coal graduate program was designed to give graduates real responsibility, strong support and early exposure to operational environments.“Our Graduate Program gives emerging professionals the chance to learn, grow and thrive in a supportive and challenging environment, while building strong foundations for long-term careers,” she said."Beyond technical skills participants develop confidence in communication, teamwork and leadership, all underpinned by a strong safety culture, integrity and responsibility for solving real challenges.”For graduate geotechnical engineer Nicholas Grady, the coal graduate program offered opportunities he had not found elsewhere in the industry, particularly the chance to gain experience across both underground and open-cut operations.“I chose to apply for the Glencore graduate program because it offered opportunities other programs didn’t, particularly as a geotechnical engineer,” he said.“I’ve had the chance to work in both underground and open-cut coal operations and gain plenty of hands-on experience.“The support on site has been great. I have a direct supervisor who has been extremely helpful and someone I can always speak to, even when we’re not on site together. It’s a unique opportunity for graduates looking for real responsibility early in their careers, and I would encourage students to give it a go.”Glencore Mount Isa Mines human resources manager Shari Barwick says the metals graduate program is designed to give graduates meaningful responsibility while providing the support they need to succeed.“Our graduate program helps early-career professionals build skills, confidence and leadership capability in a supportive and challenging environment, laying the groundwork for rewarding careers in regional Queensland,” she said.“Alongside technical skills, graduates develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving abilities, guided by our strong focus on safety, integrity and real-world impact.”For metallurgist Mikayla McKenna the opportunity to challenge herself, gain practical experience and build confidence was a defining part of the program.“I joined the graduate program because I wanted hands-on experience, not just theory,” she said.“That is one of the best parts of the graduate program, learning from people who’ve been solving problems for years. That knowledge doesn’t exist in textbooks, you only get it by being here, amongst the action.“Within months of arriving, I was solving real operational problems and working with people who trusted me. That’s what made this experience unlike any other.”

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.”

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.