Arnhem Land bauxite mine so successful it is struggling to fill workforce requirements
AN Arnhem Land bauxite mine is proving so successful in filling its indigenous workforce it is now struggling to meet its non-indigenous requirements
AN Arnhem Land bauxite mine is proving so successful in filling its indigenous workforce it is now struggling to meet its non-indigenous requirements, a resources conference heard.
Gumatj Corporation Deputy Chairman Djawa Yunupingu and chief executive officer Klaus Helms told the Mining the Territory conference the Gulkula Mine operated by the Yolgnu was providing a pathway to self-determination.
The mineral lease could have as much as 12 million tonnes of ore.
“We are the only company in the Territory where we struggle to meet the requirements of the percentage of non-indigenous people to meet the requirements of banks, regulators and the nonbelievers,” Mr Helms said.
“We have 84 indigenous employees and we have around 14 non-indigenous employees.
“This is the only way you are going to see self-determination happen and move away from welfare. A big statement but we’ve seen it happen in our community.”
Gulkula started operations at the end of 2017.
It was the culmination of a major push to have all aspects including exploration approval, traditional owner approval and mineral lease approval in a calendar year.
This was driven by the Gumatj.
To June 30 this year they have sold nearly 100,000 tonnes of an ore body estimated at around 8 million tonnes. but could be around 12 million tonnes.
Gulkula recently won a haulage contract to deliver its bauxite to Rio Tinto.
Mr Helms said 100 per cent of any profit was returned to the business and it was debt free.
“The profit we make goes back into the company or goes into the community or goes into wages — we don’t do handouts. We don’t pay board members. The reason we do that is because we don’t have any loans out there.
“ It is not fair putting huge loans on to indigenous corporations who don’t know how to deal with it.”
Originally published as Arnhem Land bauxite mine so successful it is struggling to fill workforce requirements
Prime time: How Aussies can get the most value from streaming
It’s no secret finding the perfect online streaming service has become more of a chore than trawling through the titles on a visit to Blockbuster – with one competitor stepping in to combat the ‘content chaos’. FIND OUT MORE.
Top End played a role in Yemen strike, Defence confirms
In the aftermath of a US bombing mission on Houthi fighters, the Department of Defence has confirmed the B2 stealth bombers involved in the operation passed through the Top End. Details.