ESG

BHP announces further coronavirus support

BHP has announced it will hire 1500 people and establish a A$50 million Vital Resources Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff reporter
BHP announces further coronavirus support

MiningNews.net is making some of its most important coverage of the
COVID-19 pandemic freely available to readers. For more coverage, please see our COVID-19 hub. To subscribe to MiningNews.net, click here.

The fund will support regional communities, focused on the regions surrounding BHP's Australian operations, including the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Roxby Downs and the Upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia, and the Pilbara and Goldfields regions in Western Australia.

"BHP stands with the regional communities we operate in," CEO Mike Henry said.

"With those communities facing significant challenges, we are stepping up in establishing the Vital Resources Fund, which will provide support in a range of areas such as health services and resilience building during this difficult time.

"We know COVID-19 will require a significant collective response from governments, businesses, communities and individuals across Australia. We are determined to play our part as we work through this challenge together."

Over the coming weeks and months, BHP will work with relevant leaders and groups to distribute funding according to local needs and in a manner aligned with government programs and initiatives.

Anticipated areas of support include local and regional health networks for critical infrastructure, services and workforces, essential community services, mental health, social partners and community leaders to support rural and remote indigenous communities, and increasing resources and training available to jobseekers.

BHP also announced it would hire 1500 additional people in Australia, with the jobs to be offered as six-month contracts to bolster and support the existing workforce.

The roles will include machinery and production operators, truck and ancillary equipment drivers, excavator operators, diesel mechanics boilermakers, trades assistants, electricians, cleaners and warehousing roles across our coal, iron ore and copper operations in WA, Queensland, NSW and SA.

Following the initial six-month contract, BHP will look to offer permanent roles for some of these jobs.

"As part of BHP's social distancing measures we are introducing more small teams with critical skills to work dynamically across different shifts," BHP acting president Minerals Australia Edgar Basto said.

Last week BHP said it would reduce payment terms for small, local and indigenous businesses as part of a program to support communities and regional economies.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.