Transition to the East Kimberley

In recent years, Argyle has begun the process of 'localising' most of its workforce in the East Kimberley.

By 2010, the organisation aims to have 80 per cent of its workforce East Kimberley based, and expects half of this workforce to be indigenous.

This shift from a Perth-based 'fly-in, fly-out' workforce is one of the most visible aspects of the transition to the East Kimberley that is currently occurring within the organisation. However, it is but one aspect of a larger shift in thinking toward reassessing Argyle's relationship to the area in which it mines. This shift centres on an acknowledgment by Argyle that its mining operations capitalise on a natural asset that cannot be replaced, in an area that is rich in cultural significance to indigenous people. Argyle believes that it has an obligation to put something back into the region, through the creation of new assets that are at least equal in value to those assets it has removed.

The signing in 2004 of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement and Participation Agreement between Argyle and Traditional Owners of the mining lease area was an important step towards the goal of sustainability. It formally established a relationship between the two parties that will help deliver long-term economic benefits to indigenous communities in the East Kimberley, while protecting indigenous cultural and environmental interests throughout the life of the mine.

By the end of the mine's life, Argyle hopes to leave behind a considerably more robust East Kimberley economy that offers a brighter future for all of its residents, especially local indigenous communities.

By shifting its focus to the East Kimberley, Argyle has the opportunity to create local training, employment and contracting opportunities that will offer long-term economic benefits to the region - through the injection of new salary dollars, through the creation of a more skilled local workforce, and through the creation of new and expanded business opportunities for local contractors. It is Argyle's preference to buy its goods and services locally where possible.

Argyle is also providing training to help members of the local community, particularly indigenous people, take better advantage of the work and career opportunities the mine offers. This includes a commitment Argyle made to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to create 150 new traineeships and apprenticeships in the East Kimberley by 2008. This target has been surpassed with over 200 traineeships and apprenticeships created. Because traineeships and apprenticeships are generally hard to come by in rural areas, this will help build the skills base in the region, enabling young people to stay and be trained in their own communities, and preventing the historical drain of young talent out of the region.

Argyle has essentially transitioned to an East Kimberley based business. It is establishing partnerships with local organisations that will help build social infrastructure in the region and it is focusing its sponsorship and donation program on regional health and education projects that will deliver social dividends into the future

Of course, the transition to the East Kimberley offers advantages from a business perspective. A localised workforce provides more flexibility in terms of working hours and staff rosters and allows for the possibility of part-time employment. It also offers a more stable workforce, as workers who live in the region are less likely to want to uproot their family to relocate to another job.

The decision to extend mine life via an underground mine, has given Argyle the time and the scope to make a significant difference to the East Kimberley, in the spirit of "doing what you can, while you can". Already, the benefits are starting to flow.