昆士兰西北矿产省的矿业公司在钻探工作加速、新岗位陆续开放之际,难以招募到工人。AIC Mines董事长Aaron Colleran表示,各地招聘都十分困难,包括其位于克洛恩科里附近的Eloise铜矿。澳大利亚资源与能源雇主协会(Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association)估计,到2027年,全国该行业将需要24,000名新工人。昆士兰资源理事会(Queensland Resources Council)的数据显示,各行业争夺的技能需求增加,而年轻人进入技工和矿业职业领域的人数减少。行业领袖表示,必须扩大学徒培训,以缓解人才短缺。
西澳大利亚州矿场营地的一份标准守则草案提出,为往返工作(fly-in, fly-out,FIFO)的工人提供更大的床铺,允许其自行控制空调,并保护其免受随意的房间搜查。西澳工作健康与安全委员会(WA Work Health and Safety Commission)(西澳职业健康与安全委员会)起草了这些标准,涵盖所有工人住宿。该守则不具约束力,最终版本预计将于明年出台。建筑社会学家Jack Tooley表示,这些改变可以改善工人的福祉;其公司InSite Analytics(InSite Analytics公司)估计,更好的营地设计可为矿业公司增加16亿澳元的收入。
The Albanese Government has committed $10 million to upgrade Cloncurry Airport in North West Queensland. The funding adds to $11.5 million already provided by the Australian and Queensland governments through disaster recovery arrangements. The airport suffered significant flood damage from weather events in late 2025 and early 2026. Earlier funding paid for emergency repairs and flood resilience work so the airport could reopen. The new money will give Cloncurry Shire Council the remaining funds needed to finish upgrades for regular passenger services. Ministers say the airport supports aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
Australia's share market snapped a three-week winning streak on Friday as surging oil prices and doubts about artificial intelligence hit resource stocks. The S&P/ASX200 rose 0.02 per cent to 8795.2 but fell 0.13 per cent over the week. Raw materials stocks have dropped almost eight per cent since Monday and are down nearly 20 per cent from late August's record highs. A rebound in bank stocks helped limit losses across the index. The Australian dollar was buying 70.05 US cents.
BHP shareholders will meet at Sydney Showgrounds on Thursday, the first annual meeting under chief executive Brandon Craig. The miner reported copper production of 400,000 tonnes in the September quarter, down 19 per cent from the June quarter and below analyst expectations. It blamed severe weather and a fatality at its Escondida mine in Chile. Sharesies Australia's Jacki Neumann said investors will want confidence in cost control and copper returns. Pacific Climate Warriors plan to protest outside the meeting against coal expansion projects.
More than 50 people joined a rally organised by Lock the Gate Alliance to call for an end to coal mining. Speakers said the swift parrot is being endangered by New South Wales approvals of new coal and gas projects. Nick Clyde said there are 17 coal mine expansion projects in the pipeline in the state. Sally Hunter asked people to urge the government to let the Maules Creek mine lease lapse and called for a plan to move mining jobs into renewable industries.
Australian shares fell on Tuesday, dragged lower by the big banks and major miners. The S&P/ASX200 index closed 28.8 points lower at 8816.9, after recovering from an early drop of as much as 98 points. BHP shares fell 1.6 per cent to $59.50 after its quarterly copper output dropped 19 per cent to around 400,000 tonnes, below analyst expectations. NAB shares fell 1.8 per cent after the bank announced plans to cut 2500 jobs over 2026/27. Ingenia Group rose 9.7 per cent after its takeover talks with Warburg Pincus were extended, and Cochlear gained 5.2 per cent.