PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining giant BHP Billiton this week announced that it would cut some 36 personnel at its Illawarra coal operations, in New South Wales.
The Illawarra operations consist of three underground mines and two preparation plants, and produce about 6.5-million tonnes of coal a year.
Asset president Troy McDonald said that an organisational review of the operation was under way in response to BHP’s ongoing focus to ensure competitiveness and viability of the business.
He noted that initially, there would be 36 employee and contractor roles affected, adding that the next phase of the review would involve the operational activities while the full review would be completed by the end of June this year.
“We will work closely with those who will be affected and provide the appropriate support services. These workforce changes are essential to secure the future competitiveness of our business and will ensure we have the right number of people doing the right work to support our operations,” McDonald said.
In February this year, BHP also announced that it would cut 230 jobs at its Saraji coal mine, in Queensland, in an effort to reduce costs at the operation.