BMA has applied for a 100% ‘fly in fly out’ workforce with the Queensland state government for the proposed Caval Ridge coal mine located in the Central Highlands of the state. At present the state government has a 70% cap on the mobile work force that a mine can use.
The BHP Billiton mining company alliance with Mitsubishi said in the application that the extremely tight workforce market means a cap of 70 per cent ‘fly in fly out’ could affect the mine's viability. The move would affect about 500 jobs in the region.
The Isaac Regional Council Mayor, Cedric Marshall was not surprised by the application given by BMA but he was deeply concerned over the outcome. He was worried that should they get approval for the 100% ‘fly in fly out’ workforce it would set a precedent for future mines in the Bowen basin.
BMA asset president Steve Dumble said that they would not proceed with the project unless they were confident that they could find the people. He added that the challenge they faced in sourcing the labour and skills they needed was expected to increase with the requirements of other new resources and energy projects in Queensland.
Queensland Mining Communities president Kelly Vea Vea said BMA's solution would force workers to live away from their families. She added that it was bad for families, bad for communities and bad for central Queensland's economy because 100 per cent of any economic benefit will fly out with this project.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said that the project was of enormous economic significance to central Queensland and the entire state. He added that he was determined to find a solution that ultimately achieves a good result for the local community and for the proponent.