Mine gives thumbs up to Tennant students

By Jason McIntosh

A group of ambitious, hard working Indigenous locals from Tennant Creek is paving the way for others to tap into the local mining industry.

The group of seven has been working at the Bootu Manganese Mine, 90 minutes’ drive north of Tennant Creek, where they have been joined with mentors and rotated through various jobs to get a taste of life on the site.

This included working in the processing plant, sample laboratory, the maintenance workshop and the dump trucks.

Occupational Health and Safety Manager for the Bootu Creek Manganese Mine Alan Walker has had more than 15 years’ experience engaging with Indigenous groups across Australia and said the group members were exceptional role models.

“They have proven themselves to be committed, hard working and engaging and have gained the respect of others working on-site, who expect nothing less,” he said.

It’s a final step in a pre-employment program developed in partnership with the mine, Charles Darwin University, Central and Northern Land Councils, NT DET, the National Industry Skills Council, Skills DMC and others to give Indigenous locals their big break.

Set up in 2009, it gives the students practical skills as well as increasing their awareness of safety, communication, team work and planning. It also gives them the opportunity to experience life on a mining or exploration site.

The nine-week training program in Tennant Creek includes field trips to local mines and a week’s work experience at Bootu Creek, living on site and following the regular 12 hour shifts.

Mr Walker said the respect gained by the new students would make their transition to mining life easier.

“These guys are working to the same demands as everyone else here and we split up the group so they could prove themselves on their own, which they did,” he said.

Northern Territory General Manager of OM Manganese in the Northern Territory Brent Murdoch said the company was genuinely committed to empowering local Indigenous people through career and job opportunities.

“These guys have so far shown they have the determination to give it a go and have been happy to support a program that helps them achieve on a level playing field,” he said. “But the respect of their co-workers is the best measure of success.”