Benjamin Cox’s Post

In a post by BHP COO Edgar Basto, he wrote: "... a recent Western Australian Iron Ore (#WAIO) Graduate Technical Forum, where I met with a bright group of new graduates who are just starting their careers with us at BHP." He further expanded: "Around 100 graduates attended the forum from areas such as data science, engineering, and geology, showcasing the broad range of exciting technical opportunities available to meet today’s needs and keep up with tomorrow’s growing demand for minerals." He continued: "BHP’s focus on building the workforce of the future—through our graduate programs and initiatives like the Future of Work Program and FutureFit Academy—ensures that we’re not only ready for today’s challenges, but also preparing for a future that values safety, innovation, sustainability, and growth opportunities across the globe." 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢 𝙞𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 "𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩" 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜? What is the 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙉𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙉𝙏 in the complexity of the mining process, the technology, and the most neglected part of mining: the ability to create effective human relationships. The real question is, despite giving these young graduates new careers, potential CPAs, how do we actually map out their path in the industry from day one? How can a COO or CEO, at any stage, tap into any of these individuals to understand exactly what is happening to whom, and where, without having to call HR or others for updates? What if you could, at any time, tap into one of these graduates, no matter where they are within BHP, and see the world they inhabit through their eyes, as well as from the perspective of the employees and leaders around them? Can you imagine the possibilities? This side of mining technology still lacks focus on mental well-being and understanding how people are truly doing. We could use objective data for early warnings, rather than relying on random "RUOK" conversations, allowing for more targeted engagement with individuals who may be struggling. What happens when young graduates arrive on-site, where managers are struggling fearing that 30% of the crew might not show up for their rotation? What are we not addressing? Why is there resistance to providing the full context? Mining Execs eagerly invest in new technology but remain unwilling to start essential conversations as pressure on the workforce intensifies? I must add a caveat: we are pushing these points because it seems no one is willing to ask the difficult questions. How can we change if we can’t admit we’re missing this crucial aspect of the industry? BHP, you're not alone. The same questions were put to Stephan Kotze who posted on recent #JoburgIndaba and there was no response from there. It's a small detail but one that big enough that is causing existential threat to mining https://lnkd.in/dJTHVxnN

As we know, the skills shortage is a significant issue in the underground mining industry. Simply hoping for more skilled and experienced workers won't cut it when we have targets to meet for our clients. People learn in different ways. As a result, we have invested a lot of time in developing 21st-century training tools to provide our teams with audio, visual, and interactive training materials for maximum impact. This excerpt from our service crew training demonstrates how effectively we facilitate learning to perform the job safely, while also providing tips to make the job easier. The engagement and interaction ensure that our operators retain the training material and apply it every day on the job. Access Mining. More than ore. www.accessmining.com.au

They say you can't put an old head on young shoulders, but this might be the next best thing. Clients don't have time for us to adopt a "sink or swim" approach to building skills for new (and not so new) people to the underground environment. So we need to build competence and experience all at once! Our systems of training are designed to be self paced and engaging so that our operators can work their way through it mostly on their own. That way our trainers aren't locked in the classroom watching someone work their way through a 2 foot pile of paper! They can be down the hole, training, guiding or assessing people on the job. Simple, but smart. Access Mining. More than ore. www.accessmining.com.au

Competent operators and usage correct techniques to connect the joiner with the poly pipe by use the correct tools (c spanner) avoid us a critical incidents occur.

Boliden is going to reopen the Tara zinc mine Boliden has recently issued a public release where it informs that an agreement between worker's unions and local management has been successfully reached. This agreement is paving the way for the reopening of the Tara mine on a more financially sustainable footing. In July 2023, the Tara mine entered a period of care and maintenance due to various challenges, including adverse zinc price trends, operational hurdles, and overall cost concerns. However, through collaborative efforts between unions and management, Boliden was able to secure a breakthrough agreement aimed at enhancing productivity and operational efficiency. Key highlights of the agreement include: -     Optimized mining plan: Reducing transportation distances and maximizing metal output, with an initial annual production rate of 1.8 Mtonnes. -     Organizational redesign: Streamlining operations and reducing the workforce to approximately 400 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, down from over 600 during the care and maintenance period. -     Improved ways of working: Implementing measures to enhance productivity levels and operational effectiveness. -     Cost reduction: Anticipating a significant decrease in normal cash costs to approximately 100 USc/lb Zinc, compared to 137 USc/lb Zinc in the first half of 2023. This reduction is attributed to an improved energy price outlook and lower benchmark treatment charges (TC). Moreover, Boliden informs that according to the agreement, there will be one-off restructuring costs of approximately EUR 30 million impacting the second quarter of 2024, alongside previously announced care and maintenance costs. However, Boliden remains confident in the long-term viability and profitability of the Tara mine. Employees will gradually return to work during the third quarter of 2024, with a comprehensive onboarding and retraining program in place. Production ramp-up is slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024, with full production expected by January 2025. Additionally, Boliden we'll be reinitiating exploration activities towards the Tara Deep deposit in the latter half of 2024. Boliden's Tara mine is Europe's largest zinc mine and also one of the largest in a global comparison. Since mining began in 1977, more than 85 million tonnes of ore have been extracted up to 2023 when the mine was put under care and maintenance. #mining, #miningindustry, #zinc, #boliden

"Safety is everyone's responsibility in the mining industry. Stay vigilant, prioritize safety, and encourage others to do the same." I got to experience this during my student attachment at Nchanga Mine, one aspect of the experience that truly resonated with me was their unwavering focus on safety. Even if it's been over a year the sense of safety has stuck with me and I understood it's importance. It wasn't just a policy on paper; it was a constant presence. Daily safety talks kept everyone informed about potential hazards and proper procedures. More importantly, the mine ensured we were always equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Whether it was wearing a hard hat in designated areas or using the appropriate respirator for specific tasks, safety was prioritized at every turn. This emphasis on safety has completely reshaped my perspective on the mining industry. It's no longer just about extracting resources; it's about safeguarding the well-being of every person involved. Witnessing this commitment firsthand has instilled in me the absolute importance of safety, not just in mining, but in any work environment. The picture is from early 2023, during my first days of going underground. An interesting experience it was.

How Much Do You Make Working at a Mine? Each year, Costmine Intelligence surveys mines throughout the United States, Canada and other parts of the world for information about wages, salaries, benefits, and incentive bonus plans as part of an extensive data collection program to monitor cost areas and produce its annual labor reports. In the 2023 report, 126 mines in 31 U.S. states, representing over 35,000 mine employees responded to the Costmine U.S. mining compensation survey. You can view a sample of the highest paying jobs at a mine in the United States. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gEwe95YE #mining #costs #labour #data #metals #minerals

Meet the people behind our operations! Check out our latest interview with María de los Ángeles Ramírez from our Zimapán mine below 👇 What position do you hold and how many years have you been in the mining industry? I am a scale operator and have been working here for 14 years. What is a day like at your job? I get up at 4 am and take the staff bus at 5:20 am. When I arrive at the plant, I receive the shift information and start working. I am in charge of weighing all the hauling trucks. They bring their ticket and it must have all the correct information. They are always weighed the first time to obtain the gross weight and after their trip they must be weighed again to obtain the net weight. In addition to the hauling trucks, we must also weigh the trucks that carry other materials like waste, lime, scrap metal, or copper and zinc sulfates. If there are no trucks due to weighing, I carry out other tasks and clean my work area because that is also our responsibility. At the end of the shift, I make a report of how many trucks left and from which area. How did you start your career in mining? When I started I had a lot to learn. It was difficult for me but the team has taught me so much. I joined as a sampler for a year and spent two years as an assistant analyst. After that, I moved into my current position, which I have been in for 11 years. What difficulties have you faced? When information on the ticket the truck drivers give us is not filled out correctly or contains an incorrect number, I have to call and confirm the right information to avoid mistakes. Why is the position you hold important? If I don't do my job, the trucks cannot charge for their trip and report their tonnage. The company would not know the tonnage of each day or where the mineral comes from to classify or mix it to start crushing. What motivates you to continue putting effort into your work? My motivation is always my family, to help them move forward and to be able to provide them with a livelihood. Here they give me recognition and feel proud of me. They tell me to take care of myself so that we can move forward and everyone can continue to see me. Follow us to learn more about our team 👍

Great insight on safety reporting culture.

The Impact of Poor Communication in Underground Mining: Poor communication among workers in the underground mining industry can lead to several negative consequences. It can adversely affect productivity, as confusion and misunderstanding may result in delays and decreased efficiency. Additionally, heightened tension and conflicts among workers can deteriorate the work environment and safety, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries, potentially leading to fatalities. Miscommunication or lack of clear communication regarding safety protocols, equipment operation, or emergency procedures can significantly increase the likelihood of accidents that result in fatalities. Therefore, fostering effective communication channels and ensuring that all workers understand and adhere to safety guidelines is crucial for preventing tragic outcomes in the mining industry. These negative impacts can result in significant financial losses for companies and undermine their reputation. Moreover, poor communication affects workers' morale, contributing to increased stress levels and job dissatisfaction. To overcome this challenge, there is a need to promote a culture of effective communication and mutual listening among working teams. Organizing training sessions and workshops to enhance communication skills and constructive conflict resolution is essential. Encouraging transparency and collaboration among different teams can improve working relationships and foster a positive work environment. #MiningIndustry #UndergroundMining #CommunicationChallenges #WorkplaceSafety #Teamwork #ConflictResolution #badcommunication #misscommunication #goodcommunication #goodcommunicationskills #dangerous #incidents #safety #miningsafety