The area of mining security jobs is one that is not often mentioned when mining jobs are advertised.
Safety and security of plant, equipment and personnel are top priorities for Australian mining companies, given the high-risk nature of the industry and the public interest mining activities attract.
Having the appropriate strategies in place to protect the mining company’s workforce, assets and reputation is critical to the ongoing success of mining operations, especially when you consider the impact on global mining companies like Rio Tinto and BHP.
While each mine site has its own unique risk factors, there are common security challenges across the whole of the mining and resource sector:
- Safety issues, including hazards, potential injuries and fatigue
- Site access compliance, including visitor, staff and contractor inductions
- Emergency response
- Protestor activity
- Unauthorised access
- Theft, both internal and external
- Vandalism
- Threats including domestic terrorism
The first step in addressing these challenges is for mine managers to conduct a site safety/security risk assessment to identify the individual site risk factors. This should form the basis of a detailed security plan which outlines the strategies, responsibilities and contingency plans to mitigate the risks involved.
The security team needs to take a proactive approach and remain vigilant in implementing the security plan, particularly when it comes to monitoring threats to mining operations such as terrorism or large and disruptive protests.
Listed below are some of the major mine security companies in Australia, an explanation of where they operate and what work they are involved in – plus links to the job applicant areas of their websites.
Expanded services with BHP in the Pilbara
MSS Security has announced it has successfully expanded its services with BHP Iron Ore Pilbara Operations to include security services to 13 of their mining camp facilities.
The facilities stretch across the entire Pilbara region of Western Australia and include the formation of a control centre in Newman. The Newman Hub Control Centre will provide supervision and monitoring of security services for all BHP mine sites in the Pilbara.
MSS Security`s initial contract with BHP Iron Ore commenced in 2012. With the successful implementation of these additional services, MSS Security has again been given the opportunity to demonstrate its ability to provide a seamless transition and showcase its proven capabilities in providing quality security, medical and emergency response services.
The sites will include Jimblebar, Area C, Yandi, Mt Whaleback, Eastern Ridge and Nelson Point Mines in Western Australia.
Together these mine sites means an additional 46 Security Officers and 14 Security Emergency Officers on a fortnightly roster.
Continuing contracts with Rio Tinto in Gladstone
MSS Security has announced its contract with Rio Tinto has been renewed for another three (3) years at the Yarwun Alumina refinery in Gladstone, Queensland.
Rio Tinto Yarwun is part of Fisherman’s Landing which is a multi-user site within Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC). The area is earmarked to become the Port of Gladstone’s major wharf centre of the future and handles about 6.3Mt of cargo annually.
The services that MSS Security Officers will be providing at Yarwun include; maritime security, static guarding, perimeter patrols, access control, staff and visitor escorts, drug and alcohol screening as well as vehicle and bag searches.
MSS Security has been a trusted contractor of Rio Tinto for the past nine (9) years and their ongoing success can be out down to the fact they provide the highest quality mine protection that has ensured the ongoing protection of staff and Rio Tinto assets.
ConocoPhillips LNG facility NT
MSS Security provides security services to ConocoPhillip’s LNG Facility located at Wickham Point in the Northern Territory.
The facility is unique as it is an LNG plant directly linked to offshore gas fields with its own Port Facility.
The entire facility is subject to maritime security regulations and legislation and is also subject to all safety and security protocols pertinent to a petro-chemical facility.
MSS Security provides fully trained and licenced security officers to ConocoPhillips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Duties include maritime water patrols, access and egress control, gatehouse duties, random vehicle searches, site safety inductions for visitors, site escorts and first aid services.
Jobs with MSS
MSS Security value and promote an environment which fosters open communication and to providing each employee to develop both professionally and personally. This company is one to watch if security is one of the industries you are looking to get into.
Click here to go to the MSS security jobs website
The evolution of the security industry in the mining sector
Security measures in the mining sector has proven to be a critical control measure in relation to employee, contractor and visitor management, emergency evacuation accountability and to ensure that safety values are firmly understood by all personnel before access to a mine is granted.
The ability to maintain the provisions of any safety management system can be constantly challenging and time consuming.
Corporate Protection Australia Group, believes that compliance can be met before an individual enters a mine site.
The use of Asset Protection Officers, electronic surveillance and robust security systems has proven to greatly reduce the instances of asset removal. It is often recognised that even though the asset being removed may not be extraordinarily expensive, it may be a critical piece of equipment that can take valuable time to replace, resulting in production delays and downtime.
Corporate Protection Australia has worked with many Australian mining companies including: Xstrata, UGL, NRG and QGC and handles all of the training for security jobs such as Maritime Security Guard and Port Facility Security Officers.
Click to view jobs with Corporate Protection Australia
Global Security Management
Global Security Management has been going since 1998. Many of Australia’s leading resources companies rely on their expertise, services and solutions to manage and minimise risk and make sure the security and safety of their people, property and assets is always of the highest standards.
They directly employ over 200 licensed and qualified security personnel and actively recruit a specialist workforce with extensive experience in security risk management, investigations, emergency management, medical support and training.
Safety in the resources industry is everybody’s responsibility. Global Security Management is committed to ensuring their security plans accurately reflect the safety management plans of clients’ facilities.
Click to view jobs with Global Security Management
Firstline Protection
Firstline are another company providing security solutions to remote mine and construction sites. They specilaise in solutions to these sectors and have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unique health, safety and security needs of such environments.
Their leadership team and security personnel are all well trained in hazard identification, site access compliance (people and vehicles), site inductions, accommodation and camp management, emergency response, drug and alcohol testing and entrance inspections.
Based in South Australia, Firstline provided security solutions to remote mine and construction sites throughout Australia. People living in South Australia can contact the company directly or browse their website for job vacancies.
Click to view jobs with Firstline Protection
Lockforce Security
Since its inception in 2006, continued growth has seen Lockforce expand internationally as well as providing security services to the Mining, Oil and Gas and construction industries.
Contact Lockforce
Lockforce is situated on the East and West Coast of Australia PERTH – Suite 6/1200 Hay St West Perth, WA 6005 (Tel : +61 0893 225 380) and BRISBANE – 86 Roderick St, Moffat Beach, QLD 4551
(Tel : +61 07 5491 3971).
