Rio Tinto swoops on timber workers

RESOURCES giant Rio Tinto says it will recruit about 50 former forestry workers from the Manjimup-Pemberton area as part of its efforts to fill roles created by its ongoing expansion.

Rio said it had already made 24 binding offers of employment for mobile and fixed plant roles at its East Pilbara mines, and planned to double that number over the next few months.

Rio Tinto Pilbara operations president Greg Lilleyman said most of the workers were employed in forestry operations that have recently closed at Manjimup, in similar roles to heavy haul mining operations.

“Following initial training and induction, these workers will take up roles at our West Angelas, Hope Downs and Yandicoogina mines, commuting from Busselton airport on a two weeks on, one week off roster,” Mr Lilleyman said.

Rio has been conducting road shows and information events in the South West, which have attracted the strong support of local business groups.

Rio Tinto said it had opened up a new and sustainable labour market through the expansion of its regional fly-in, fly-out program.

Rio’s iron ore business runs FIFO services from Broome, Dampier, Busselton, Carnarvon, Derby, Geraldton, Nullagine and Meekatharra, with more than 500 workers commuting to operations across the Pilbara, as well as interstate from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.