Home

Mining lifts local economy

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
Rio Tinto community engagement support officer Tania Anderson and superintendent community engagement regional FIFO communities Justin Francesconi said the economic benefits of the mining sector to the South West included a swag of new jobs for Busselton
Camera IconRio Tinto community engagement support officer Tania Anderson and superintendent community engagement regional FIFO communities Justin Francesconi said the economic benefits of the mining sector to the South West included a swag of new jobs for Busselton Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee

Despite a reported lack of jobs in the South West due to a downturn in tourism and hospitality, the mining sector continues to support the local economy during the COVID-19 recession.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics this week released data showing that despite severe global economic shocks from COVID-19, Australia posted a record financial year trade surplus of $77.4 billion in 2019-20 with Australian goods exports growing by 2.5 per cent.

According to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy the mining sector contributed $489.7 million to the South West economy in wages last financial year.

The sector also contributed $356.5m in business purchases, community contributions and local government payments.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Chamber of Minerals and Energy director of policy and advocacy Rob Carruthers said the industry wanted its workers to be based in WA so they could contribute to local economies.

He said major companies such as Alcoa, South 32, Talison, Iluka, Abemarle and Rio Tinto created 4060 direct jobs in the South West and a further 2000 indirect jobs.

“Busselton is an important source community for FIFO workers, an element which is overlooked by local governments in some areas,” he said.

“There is also 635 other local businesses who work for mining operators providing goods and transport, services support through contractors and that speaks of the economic benefactors — businesses that rely on the mining industry in the region.”

Rio Tinto alone employs more than 1000 people in the South West and in May announced new employment opportunities.

The jobs are for apprentices, graduates and Aboriginal trainees to fill vacancies as the company progresses its development plans in the Pilbara.

The roles are a mix of fly-in, fly-out from Perth and the company’s regional FIFO hubs in Western Australia as well as residential positions in Perth and the Pilbara.

Rio Tinto superintendent community engagement regional FIFO communities, Justin Francesconi, said the mining giant was proud to offer such large employment and economic benefits to towns in the South West which were struggling.

“We’re supporting a wide range of initiatives designed to help regional communities respond and recover from the challenges presented by COVID-19,” he said.

As well as $55,000 provided to the City of Busselton for COVID-19 grant relief Rio Tinto have proposed a further $260,000 be contributed to community investment in the South West.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails