This week saw SA mining jobs once again grab the media attention as renewed interest in the 1970’s Kanmantoo copper mine created hope and optimism in the State.
When the project is approved and ready to roll out, there is the opportunity to create around 600 new SA mining jobs.
Hillgrove Resources Limited, an Australian mining company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: HGO), has made a formal application to redevelop their flagship Kanmantoo copper mine which has been deserted since the 1970s.The Kanmantoo copper mine, located less than 55km from Adelaide in South Australia.
The Kanmantoo copper mine is an open-cut copper-gold mine one hour from Adelaide in South Australia, which commenced production in late 2011. The current reserves of 32.2Mt allows production of around 2.4Mt per year, containing about 20,000 tonnes of copper metal and 10,000 ounces of gold.
The Kanmantoo Mining Lease sits within a 500km2 Exploration License that is relatively unexplored and where exploration potential and Resource expansion is considered high.
New exploration reveals vast new deposits of gold and copper
Over the past two years of extensive exploration and testing has revealed that the old mine could possibly produce a further 290,000 tonnes of copper, as well as over 200,000 ounces of gold.
Hillgrove resources have lodged a mining lease application with the South Australian Government. Local communities are also excited about the prospect of more mining jobs being created with more than 100 recommendations put forward.
600 construction and permanent mining jobs for SA
According to the South Australian Government, the proposed mining project will create 600 construction and permanent mining jobs for SA. Initial spending would involve a cost of $100 million AUD. The Adelaide Hills area will benefit from the economic ricochet, with the potential of hundreds of new highly-paid households in the mining industry and contributing to the Adelaide economy.
The mining industry in Australia is a high-income earning sector, with Australia being the world’s dominant producer of aluminium, bauxite, chrysoprace, lead, opal and zircon.
$28 billion plan for BHP to develop Olympic Dam
The South Australian mining industry suffered a devastating blow to their economy when back in 2012, an ambitious $28 billion plan for BHP to develop the Olympic Dam mining operation expansion was shelved owing to adverse market conditions.
BHP have stated they see a lot of potential in the Olympic Dam open-pit mine, although it would require new technology to make the project viable. Heap-leaching technology as an alternative to expanding the mine’s capacity is being considered, but the technology is yet to be proven�on such a large scale.
Given the ore deposits were some 350m below the surface, a more effective mining method was essential to make the project economically viable. An option that is still being considered is to split the project into manageable pieces and process the minerals at less cost per�piece so it could generate revenue along the way.
The world’s largest uranium mine
The proposed expansion of the BHP Olympic Dam mine would have created the world’s largest uranium mine, and increased copper output almost 400 per cent to 750,000 tonnes a year. It was hoped the mine would have been a game-changer for the South Australian economy, adding about 6 per cent to gross state product over the next 10 years.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has made it quite clear to the people of South Australia that mining jobs are still on the cards and that the mine’s resources “will be developed”.
Today, BHP’s Olympic Dam mine employs a hefty 4000 people in mining jobs, contributing about $90 million to the state economy in taxes and royalties and contributing $664 million to goods and services in SA in 2012-13.
Tips for New starters looking for SA Mining Jobs
If you’re a new starter in the mining industry, then here is a guide to help you find you way when you’re looking for SA mining jobs without having any experience
- Unlike Queensland, there are less restrictions in South Australia you may have to complete a Mining Induction course.
What mine induction course do you need to do to make your more employable in SA? The mining induction course is known by many names, such as, Standard 11, Standard 11 Coal Surface Induction, Standard 11 Coal Underground Induction,� NSW Coal Surface Induction, NSW Generic Underground Induction, MARCSTA and BMA Core Induction.
- You may require a Coal Board Medical certificate, to show mining companies you are in good health.
Before you start applying for mining jobs, there are other considerations like having a mining focused resume prepared for you to give you every chance of getting that all important interview.
iMINCO have created lots of tips and information on how to write a good mining resume as well as some vital information on how to get the most out of your interview, because we know this is where many people need help.
Reference: SA Mining Jobs – Kanmantoo Copper Mine Redevelopment Plans – Hillgrove Resources Limited
