BHP cuts 140 jobs in South Australia

Around 140 jobs at BHP Billiton in Adelaide are poised to cut after warnings following falling commodity prices. It is noted that in the resource sector of South Australia over the past 12 months, the number of lost jobs, taking into account the latest cuts, will be brought to 900, and the situation is not expected to improve.

The South Australian sector is the largest uranium producer in Australia and holds 40 percent of the world's known uranium reserves. Produces about a third of copper and contains 70 percent of Australia's copper reserves, of which the Olympic Dam mine, the largest underground mine, is considered the fourth largest copper deposit in the world, the fifth largest gold deposit and the largest uranium deposit. In addition, the region produces and exports 25 percent of the world's zircon supply, and has the largest lead smelting capacity in Port Pirie, which also produces refined zinc, copper and silver. This is where 80 percent of the world's opal supply comes from.

Experts clarify that "many companies that extract resources nationally and internationally are now having a very difficult time and assume that BHP will have some significant job losses over the coming months and even years." The latest job cuts will be reviewed by BHP Support for its Olympic Dam operations in order to alleviate the plight of the laid-off employees. It is clear that they will be offered packages with the requirements of the Job Fair, and some may be reassigned to other positions.

BHP management says further job cuts are expected at its operational sites. “When we know for sure, we will respectfully communicate with our affected employees,” the company said in a statement. It is important to remember that BHP remains committed to the Olympic Dam project, which continues to employ approximately 4,000 people at Olympic Dam and in Adelaide. "While these 140 jobs are unfortunate, we should see positives such as the expansion of the world's largest mining company," the statement said.