Volume 2 - January 2021 - AMMA
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Volume 2 - January 2021
ABOUT AMMA FOREWORD
AMMA’s vision is to assist resources and energy employers in creating a brighter future for all Despite all the curveballs of 2020, the future of Australia’s resources and energy industry remains
Australians. extraordinarily bright. A global health pandemic, commodity price challenges and issues in the
A proud member-based organisation, AMMA’s work in policy and advocacy drives positive international marketplace have barely put a dent in the industry’s growth prospects.
outcomes for members and the broader industry.
This AMMA forecasting report shows there are 98 new or expansion projects in the national resources and energy investment
For more than a century, AMMA has delivered high quality and valuable workforce services to pipeline scheduled to enter production by the end of 2026.
Australia’s resources and energy industry. Should all proceed as presently expected, the industry could see an uptick of more than 24,400 new operational roles over the
next six years.
AMMA provides expertise, influence, leadership and support in key workforce areas including
workplace relations, human resources, diversity, training, government relations and public affairs. This growth - just over 10% in total - comes as Australia’s resources and energy operators are already experiencing a number of
resourcing and workforce challenges.
In AMMA’s daily conversations with our members right across the nation, it is not short-term uncertainties of the COVID-19
pandemic nor global disruption causing the greatest anxieties, but planning for the skills of the future and nurturing the next
generation of talent.
Despite leading the nation’s economic performance and offering exceptional career opportunities, difficulties in attracting the right
METHODOLOGY skilled employees in the scale required presents a real very risk.
Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast (2021-2026) estimates the likely workforce and skills demands of AMMA is proud to continue this series of workforce forecasting to assist in addressing these challenges and to add value to the
prospective mining and oil and gas projects in Australia’s development pipeline. industry’s efforts. Through this project AMMA seeks to:
Only projects that have been committed by the proponents / investors, or have been assessed by the Australian » Inform industry of expected resources and energy workforce demand, assisting employers with workforce planning strategies.
Government Department of Industry and AMMA’s analysts as advanced and ‘likely to proceed’, are included in this » Inform government of expected workforce, including specific occupations where shortages may emerge, to help direct VET
forecast series. reforms and other skilling initiatives.
Further, this forecast is for the long-term operational phase of these projects, with workforce demand listed in the » Inform the nation broadly, including regional communities, job-seekers and school leavers, of sustainable career opportunities
year they are scheduled to enter full production. It does not include the short-term construction workforces involved within the resources and energy industry.
in building the projects in the years prior.
To support the industry’s continued success, employers, peak industry bodies and state and federal governments must remain
A variety of modelling techniques are applied to present as accurate a forecast as possible, including: united in our collective goals: to heed the lessons of the past, be better prepared and more strategic about meeting our industry’s
» Applying average productivity ratios (commodity volume produced per employee) from official State Government future workforce demands.
production and reported employee figures.
Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast (2021-2026) will add great value and practical insights for this journey.
» Applying workforce planning formulas and occupation breakdown ratios provided to AMMA by employers in each
commodity group. THE AMMA TEAM
» Cross-referencing workforce estimates in company issued ASX statements, press releases, media comments,
project documents or via direct feedback from company representatives.
» Verification of forecasts by key industry participants in each commodity.
Formulas have been applied consistently within each commodity group to average out variances in project design,
quality of resource, terrain and locality, technology and the other myriad of factors which can impact total workforce Resources and energy direct workforce (2006-2026): National Historic Forecast
numbers.
Across all modelling AMMA has been very conservative. It is assumed new resources and energy projects will sit
98
300
at the higher end of current industry productivity levels, and improving technology may reduce the ratio of on-site
250 Projects
operators to centralised white collar roles.
‘000 people employed
For expansion projects, only the actual increase on current workforce numbers is included in the forecasts. 200
Therefore, expansions designed to maintain current production and workforce numbers have new workforce
demand listed as nil. 150 $83.8 bn value
It has also been noted where new projects are intended to replace ageing assets, such as in the iron ore 100
24,433
sector. However, if mine closures have not been announced or expected to coordinate with openings, workforce
50
requirements are listed in full.
0 Additional workforce demand
AMMA thanks the various member representatives who assisted in this industry forecasting project.
2006 2009 2012 2015 2018 2021 2024
© AMMA 2020 | First published in 2020 by AMMA, Australian Mines and Metals Association ABN 32 004 078 237
Lead analyst / author: Tom Reid, Head of Policy & Public Affairs | Researcher: Tegan Morris, Workplace Policy Adviser
Email: policy@amma.org.au | Phone: 1800 627 771 | Website: www.amma.org.au
This publication is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be
exercised, without the permission of the Chief Executive, AMMA, GPO Box 2933, BRISBANE QLD 4000
STATE OF PLAY: WORKFORCE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 COMMODITY BREAKDOWN
A breakdown of labour data in the various commodities shows sporadic fluctuations
The impacts of the COVID-19 global health pandemic on the Australian economy and across 2020, many of which balance or partly corrected themselves over time.
labour market have been pervasive – a sudden and devastating event the likes of
which may never again be experienced. » The metal ore industry has been the star performer economically, with October setting a record high iron ore
export value of $10.9bn. Despite this, workforce numbers have slightly declined (-3.9%) over 2020, possibly due
Despite the Australian Government’s JobKeeper subsidy softening the impact, national unemployment still rose from to site manning efficiencies due to pandemic measures.
5.7% to 6.9% between March and October 2020, reflecting 360,000 jobs lost in a seven-month period. Pending labour data may show an upward trend in the November quarter as Chinese iron ore demand continues
and record high gold prices sees a resurgence in gold mining activity.
In the Australian resources and energy industry, employers and employees have faced an unprecedented level
of disruption. Over many decades the industry has perfected complex systems for continuous people movement » The non-metallic minerals sector has seen the widest workforce fluctuations in 2020, with a 56% decline from
– around the country, to and from remote sites, seamless swing changeovers and integration of dozens of roster November 2019 to May 2020, followed by a 45% correction in the August quarter. The only possible explanation
patterns. is instability within turbulent market conditions.
The effects of COVID-19, from state border closures and grounded aircraft to on-site hygiene, testing and tracing » Despite exploration being considered a “non-essential business activity” during state COVID-19 shutdowns, the
practices, represented enormous challenges and change for resources and energy workforces. exploration and support services workforce has grown by an average of 11% each quarter over the past year. A
partial explanation could be the large number of diversified services employers moving employees displaced from
On balance, however, the resources and energy industry has proven to be Australia’s most resilient sector during other sectors, into their mining and resources businesses.
2020. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) employment data shows the various mining and oil and gas segments of
the national labour force contributed almost nothing to overall job losses. » Confidence in the coal sector has been hit equally by COVID-19 and a sustained decline in the commodity price
(from March, coal slid from $70USD/t to ~$50USD/t). After some significant quarterly rises and falls, the coal
In some sectors, those with record high commodity prices and global resource demand, employment has even industry workforce is back to its November 2019 levels (circa 50,000 employees).
grown over the past 12 months.
» The oil and gas sector has been similarly rocked by COVID-19 and an ongoing six-year slump in the price of
As a precursor to our workforce growth forecasts for 2021-2026, AMMA provides the following quantitative analysis crude oil. ABS statistics suggest the oil and gas sector has shed about 8,000 jobs, or 31% of its workforce
of workforce impacts throughout the 2020 pandemic year. between August 2019 – August 2020.
Of course, analysis of national employment statistics only tells a small part of the story. There is simply no way AMMA urges some caution in interpreting this data, with feedback from its oil and gas members indicating real direct
to quantity the huge efforts of all the people within the Australian resources and energy industry to keep it in workforce reductions have been at far lower levels. This may indicate a slight anomaly in the data and/or that most
extraordinarily strong health. of the employment impacts have been within contractors / service sector workforces.
NATIONAL WORKFORCE FLUCTUATIONS
COVID-19 workforce impact (2019-2020): mining national, by commodity
The November 2019 quarter saw a significant uptick in the recorded national resources workforce – 16,500 jobs or
7% growth. This was mostly corrected in the February quarter (-5%). Coal 60 112
Other mining workforce numbers (‘000)
Metal ore workforce numbers (‘000)
Non-metallic mineral
50 109
The quarter in which COVID-19 had the greatest impact, May 2020, saw a 4.5% workforce decline, or around 11,000 xploration and
E
jobs. Testament to the industry’s rapid response, this decline proved temporary with around 12,500 jobs (+5.5%) Support services
40 106
created in the August quarter. Metal ore
30 103
With the November 2020 data due in early 2021, it is expected the national resources and energy workforce will
have ended the year showing little signs of the COVID-19 pandemic, statistically at least, and sit at its three-year 20 100
average levels of around 240,000 direct employees.
10 97
0 94
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
2019 2020
COVID-19 workforce impact (2019-2020): mining, oil and gas, national
Oil and gas workforce (national) vs oil price (2010-2020)
260
Workforce 120 120
Oil price (Brent)
250
‘000 of people employed
100 100
‘000 people employed
240 80 80
$ / bbl (USD)
230 60 60
220 40 40
20 20
210
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
0 0
2019 2020 Feb-2010 Aug-2011 Feb-2013 Aug-2014 Feb-2016 Aug-2017 Feb-2019 Aug-2020
NATIONAL SUMMARY AGGREGATE FIGURES COMMENTARY
As of August 2020 the Australian resources and energy industry
98 projects 24,433 employees directly employed 240,500 people. Despite fluctuations in 2020,
this is 2% (5,000 employees) larger than August 2019, and more
98 $83.8
than 10% greater than the average levels across the most recent
Australia’s resources and energy industry has 98
downward cycle in 2015-2017.
new, expansion or restart projects either committed
or likely to proceed between 2021-2026. These Looking forward the 98 mining, oil and gas projects either
Projects bn value projects have a combined estimated value of $83.8bn committed or considered likely to proceed by 2026, would
and comprise the following commodities: demand approximately 24,433 production roles and grow the
workforce by an estimated 10.2%. This would see Australia’s
24,433 22 20
coal gold direct resources and energy workforce exceed 260,000
employees for the first time since February 2014.
Additional workforce demand
14 LNG, gas,
petroleum 9 iron ore Coal will be the largest driver of growth, with 22 projects forecast
to create around 8,000 new production jobs. Iron ore has nine
7 nickel
4 copper projects forecast to create just under 5,000 jobs. The bulk of
growth in these two commodities will occur across 2021-2024.
2 lithium
1 lead, zinc, silver With a sustained commodity price surge, new and expansion
gold projects are forecast to demand around 3,318 new
production jobs in the modelled period. Nickel, lead, silver and
1 18
‘other’ minerals
uranium (rare earths, salt,
copper have more modest forecast growth.
sulphate, gem stones)
The ‘Other Commodities’ category, which includes a range of
rare earths and critical minerals, has 18 mostly new projects
The total new operating workforce required by
dispersed around the country, forecast to require about 2,600
these projects is an estimated 24,433. Broken down
production phase employees over the next six years.
into classifications, demand will include:
Struggling with a depression in the oil price, growth in Australia’s
4 MINING OCCUPATIONS OIL/GAS OCCUPATIONS oil and gas sector is far more subdued compared to past years.
However, 15 projects are expected to create an additional 2,280
20 9,233 532
production technicians/
production jobs by the end of 2026, which should still fuel fierce
$6.3bn plant operators general service
operators competition for skilled operators and trade technicians.
$20.4bn Should Australia be in a position to lock-down further investment,
47 750 3,014 heavy diesel fitters 89 control room operators there are huge additional opportunities on the horizon. An
additional 192 projects, worth some 35,000 jobs to the nation,
6,240 other trades trade technicians
are listed as being early in feasibility stages and not included in
$41.8bn 1,132 (e.g. electrical,
maintenance)
952 (maintenance,
instruments, electrical)
this forecasting data.
3
11,628 4,355
supervisors,
management, 487
management
(supervisors, plant and
$894m
administration supply chain, HSE)
20 mine engineering, engineers, geologists,
4,484 155
790
technical, geology lab analysts
$13.8bn
4,850
New workforce demand (2021-2026) by skills group: Australia
2
Operators 10,000
$500m Fitters
8,000
New headcount required
Other trades
75 Management
6,000
Engineers
4,000
2 2,000
projects committed or publicly announced
estimated value $120m 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
operational workforce
100
AGGREGATE FIGURES COMMENTARY
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 47 projects 11,628 employees
Western Australia’s resources and energy industry directly
employed 114,000 people in August 2020, or 47.5% of the
industry’s national workforce.
The state has 47 projects in its development pipeline until
Western Australia’s resources and energy industry
has 47 projects either committed or likely to proceed year-end 2026. These would create an additional forecast
between 2021-2026. Of these 28 are new projects and demand for 11,628 employees, lifting the state’s direct
19 are expansions. Commodity breakdown follows: workforce by 10.2% to approximately 126,000.
BROWSE AND NWS EXTENSION (Woodside)
According to AMMA’s modelling, WA should equal its previous
12 12
‘other’ minerals high point of direct resources and energy employment
11.4mtpa gas/LNG 720 2026+ gold (rare earths, salt,
sulphate, gem stones) (121,000 in August 2012) by the end of 2022, before growing
by about another 4,000 direct employees over 2023-2026
8 iron ore
6 LNG, gas,
petroleum
inclusive.
The iron ore industry will account for 38% (4,438 employees)
THUNDERBIRD (Sheffield Resources)
6 nickel
2 lithium
of new workforce demand, with eight new/expansion projects
set to enter production between 2021 and 2023. Some
Mineral sands 280 2022 demand may be filled by those already in the market (e.g. at
1 uranium least three of Rio Tinto’s 16 Pilbara iron ore mines are nearing
end of life).
SOUTH FLANK (BHP)
These iron ore projects will compete for labour with a raft of
other minerals projects entering production at the same time.
80mtpa iron ore 600 2021 Total new operating workforce estimate to 2026 is
SCARBOROUGH AND PLUTO EXPANSION (Woodside) ‘Other commodities’ including rare earths, gemstones and
11,628 employees. Breakdown of forecast demand: sulphates, are forecast to demand 1,980 new employees, the
bulk of which will come by 2023.
7.5mtpa gas/LNG 600 2024 MINING OCCUPATIONS OIL/GAS OCCUPATIONS
The gold sector is forecast to demand 1,983 new employees;
KOODAIDERI (Rio Tinto)
production technicians/ nickel 1,040; uranium 490; and lithium 175. Almost all of these
4,228 plant operators 366 general service new or expansion projects will be operational by 2024.
40mtpa iron ore 600 2022 operators
The latter stages of the modelled period belong to the LNG,
gas and petroleum sector. Six projects, led by Woodside’s
ELIWANA (Fortescue) ROBE VALLEY (Mesa B,C,H- Rio Tinto) 1,411 heavy diesel fitters 61 control room operators
Scarborough and Browse LNG projects, are forecast to
account for 1,525 additional production phase employees by
30mtpa iron ore 25mtpa iron ore
(new) 500 2021 (expansion) 625* 2021 other trades trade technicians the end of 2026. This should see WA’s LNG industry grow by
424 (e.g. electrical, 655 (maintenance, 15% in direct workforce terms over this period.
maintenance) instruments, electrical)
IRON BRIDGE (Fortescue) WEST ANGELAS C&D (Rio Tinto) Looking beyond what is advanced in the pipeline, an
supervisors, management additional 75 new projects have been identified in earlier
20mtpa iron ore 900 2022 30mtpa iron ore
750* 2021 2,020 management, 336 (supervisors, plant and
feasibility stages, with potential for 6,000+ additional jobs.
(expansion) administration supply chain, HSE)
mine engineering, engineers, geologists,
2,021 technical, geology 106 lab analysts
KING OF THE HILLS (Red 5)
14,000oz gold
expansion 300 2022
MULGA ROCK (Vimy Resources) New workforce demand (2021-2026) by skills group: Western Australia
SUPER PIT SOUTH OPEN PIT STAGE 1 (KCGM) 4.7Mtpa uranium 490 2023 Operators 5,600
Fitters 4,800
675,000oz
700 2021
No. of people employed
gold expansion Other trades
4,000
Management
3,200
KEMERTON LITHIUM PLANT (Albemarle) Engineers
2,400
80ktpa lithium 1,600
hydroxide 100 2022
800
0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
* Demand may be partially filled from existing Rio Tinto assets Estimated workforce Estimated start date
AGGREGATE FIGURES COMMENTARY
QUEENSLAND 20 projects 6,240 employees
Queensland’s resources and energy industry directly
employed 63,700 people at August 2020, representing 26.5%
of the industry’s national workforce.
Queensland has 20 mining projects either There are 20 new or expansion projects either already
‘committed’ or ‘likely’ to proceed between 2021- committed or considered ‘likely’ to proceed in Queensland
2026. Of these 11 are new projects and 9 are between 2021 and 2026 year-end. Collectively these projects
expansions. Commodity breakdown follows: are forecast to create demand for 6,240 production-phase
RAVENSWOOD (EMR Capital) employees, lifting the state’s direct resources workforce by
9.8% to about 70,000.
115,000oz gold 280 2022 10 coal 3 LNG, gas,
petroleum
This would be around 10% greater than Queensland’s most
3 1 ‘other’ recent three-year average (2017-2020), and just short of the
gold
EVA COPPER PROJECT (CMMC) commodities state’s highest ever recorded number of direct resources
employees – 71,000 in May 2019.
46ktpa copper 280 2023 1 nickel
1 copper
New workforce demand will be driven overwhelmingly by
IRONBARK NO.1 (Fitzroy) coal projects. In total the 10 coal projects advanced in the
2.6mtpa
350 2023
1 lead, zinc,
silver
development pipeline (eight of which are new projects), will
account for 74% of the state’s total forecast new workforce
thermal coal demand to 2026 (4,640 direct employees).
Seven of these projects (2,950 employees) are expected to be
Total new operating workforce estimate to 2026 is operational by end of 2023, another one by the end of 2024
6,240 employees. Breakdown of forecast demand: (290 employees) and one large new project – Whitehaven
BARALABA SOUTH
(Baralaba Coal) Coal’s Winchester South – scheduled to reach production
MINING OCCUPATIONS OIL/GAS OCCUPATIONS beyond that (950 employees in 2026).
5mtpa thermal coal production technicians/ In the non-coal commodities, the Sconi nickel mine and Eva
2,474 plant operators 62 general service
Copper Projects are forecast to demand 300 and 280 new
operators
400 2023 employees, respectively, by 2023. Three gold projects, all
expansions and scheduled to be fully operational in 2021/22,
799 heavy diesel fitters 10 control room operators will demand around 560 new direct employees.
VALERIA
CARMICHAEL COAL (Bravus Mining)
(Glencore) Further investments by Arrow Energy and Senex Energy
other trades trade technicians in Queensland’s natural gas sector are forecast to demand
10mtpa thermal coal 900* 2021 20mtpa thermal coal 334 (e.g. electrical, 112 (maintenance,
around 260 new operating employees. The largest – Surat
maintenance) instruments, electrical)
Gas Project – is scheduled for commissioning in 2026.
supervisors, management
950 2026 1,160 management, 57 (supervisors, plant and While current forecast growth is modest, Queensland has
administration supply chain, HSE) huge potential – possibly 22,000 new jobs - sitting with
the circa 51 projects in earlier stages of development.
OLIVE DOWNS (Pembroke Resources) mine engineering, engineers, geologists, Predominantly coal, these projects tentatively await further
1,213 technical, geology 19 lab analysts feasibility studies and/or an uptick in investor confidence.
15mtpa coking coal 500 2022
BELVIEW (Stanmore Coal)
2.6mtpa thermal /
coking coal 290 2024 New workforce demand (2021-2026) by skills group: Queensland
SURAT GAS PROJECT (Arrow Energy)
EAGLE DOWNS (South32)
Gas, 240 PJ/pa 200 2026+ Operators 2,800
Production headcount required
Fitters 2,400
2.6mtpa coking coal 500 2023 Other trades
2,000
Management
WINCHESTER SOUTH (Whitehaven Coal) 1,600
Engineers
1,200
15mtpa coking coal 450 2026 800
400
0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
* Conservative forecast Estimated workforce Estimated start date
SOUTH AUSTRALIA & AGGREGATE FIGURES COMMENTARY
NORTHERN TERRITORY
South Australia employed 15,600 resources and energy
employees as of August 2020 - the fourth largest of
7 projects 1,540 employees Australia’s states / territories with 6.5% of the industry’s
national workforce. Despite this market share, there are just
South Australia and the Northern Territory have three new projects considered likely to proceed in SA at this
seven resources and energy projects ‘committed’ stage.
or ‘likely’ to proceed between 2021-2026. Of these
Two copper/gold mines, Hillside and Kalkaroo, are
five are new projects and two are expansions.
BAROSSA BACKFILL TO DARWIN LNG (Santos) scheduled to enter production in 2023, forecast to demand
Commodity breakdown follows:
430 and 260 new employees respectively. Siviour graphite is
Gas/LNG, scheduled for 2024 and would require 100 operating phase
105 2024+
3 2
9 mmboe pa ‘other’
copper employees.
commodities
Collectively these projects would grow the state’s direct
TANAMI EXPANSION 2 (Newmont GoldCorp)
1 gold
1 LNG, gas,
petroleum
resources workforce by 5% over those two years.
50,000oz expansion 180 2023 South Australia’s real growth prospects rely on converting
12 more speculative projects in the state’s development
pipeline, mostly in iron ore, that would demand at least
2,000 new employees (likely many more), between 2022
JERVOIS (KGL Resources) and 2026.
Total new operating workforce estimate to 2026 is
1,540 employees. Breakdown of forecast demand:
21kt copper 300 2021 The Northern Territory represents a far smaller portion of the
national resources and energy workforce – 2,600 employees
MINING OCCUPATIONS OIL/GAS OCCUPATIONS or just 1%. However, the territory has solid growth
forecasted between 2021 and 2024, with four projects (two
production technicians/ new, two expansions), set to enter production.
597 plant operators 26 general service
operators These projects would demand a forecast 750 new operating
phase employees, which would lift NT’s direct resources and
energy workforce by around 29%.
AMMAROO (CD Capital)
195 heavy diesel fitters 5 control room operators
Copper and gold mines are responsible for over half of this
forecast demand, with 480 new employees (the largest
2mtpa phosphate 165 2023 other trades trade technicians being Jervois at 300 employees).
71 (e.g. electrical, 45 (maintenance,
maintenance) instruments, electrical)
The Santos Barossa backfill to Darwin LNG project is the
only oil / gas / energy development scheduled for completion
supervisors, management
in NT (or SA) over the next six years. The expansion is
281 management, 23 (supervisors, plant and
expected to be fully operational in 2024 and require 105 new
KALKAROO (Havilah Resources) administration supply chain, HSE)
direct employees.
80kt copper,
260 2023 mine engineering, engineers, geologists, The Northern Territory has an additional 15 possible projects
72,000oz gold 290 technical, geology 7 lab analysts
SIVIOUR (Renascor Resources) in earlier development stages, estimated to contain circa
1,700 production jobs.
123kt graphite 100 2024
New workforce demand (2021-2026) by skills group:
South Australia and Northern Territory
Operators 800
Fitters
No. of people employed
Other trades
HILLSIDE (Rex Minerals)
Management
35kt copper, Engineers 400
24,000oz gold 430 2023
0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Estimated workforce Estimated start date
NEW SOUTH WALES, AGGREGATE FIGURES COMMENTARY
VICTORIA, TASMANIA
New South Wales is Australia’s third largest resources and
energy state, with 36,700 direct employees or about 15% of
24 projects 5,025 employees the national workforce (August 2020).
The state has 20 projects (11 new, nine expansions)
New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania have 24
either committed or considered likely to enter production
resources and energy projects either ‘committed’
or ‘likely’ to proceed between 2021-2026. Of these,
between 2021 and 2026. These projects are forecast to
HAWSONS (Carpentaria Exploration) NARRABRI CSG PROJECT (Santos) 11 are new projects and nine are expansions. create demand for 4,850 new operating phase employees,
Commodity breakdown follows: potentially growing the workforce by 13.2%.
10mtpa iron ore 500 2026 Gas, 36 PJ/pa 200 2023 Twelve coal projects (five new, seven expansions) are
12 4 LNG, gas, forecast to drive 1,250 of these jobs and would add 68mtpa
coal
petroleum to NSW’s coal output. Glencore’s Mount Owen expansion
will add capacity but utilise the company’s existing workforce
VICKERY (Whitehaven) 4 gold
3 ‘other’
commodities
for operations.
McPhillamy’s (gold) and Hawsons (iron ore) are forecast to
1
8mpta thermal and add 260 and 500 further direct operating jobs in 2022 and
coking coal 450 2024 iron ore
2026, respectively. Santos’ Narrabri CSG Project will create
demand for 200 employees in 2023, and Port Kembla Gas
Terminal may require 50 employees in 2022.
Further underpinning its potential, NSW has an additional
Total new operating workforce estimate to 2026 is 17 prospective projects earlier in development, mostly in
UNITED-WAMBO (Peabody / Glencore) 5.025 employees. Breakdown of forecast demand: coal and critical minerals, that could roughly double this jobs
6.5mpta thermal forecast if committed.
and coking coal 500 2021 MINING OCCUPATIONS OIL/GAS OCCUPATIONS
TAHMOOR SOUTH (SIMEC Group) Victoria, with 5,800 employees, represents 2.4% of the
production technicians/ national workforce. The state has just two projects advanced
3.2mtpa 400 2022 1,934 plant operators 78 general service in its pipeline – AGL’s LNG import terminal and APA’s Orbost
operators
Gas Plant, forecast to require 70 employees combined to
operate by 2023.
MCPHILLAMYS (Regis Resources)
609 heavy diesel fitters 13 control room operators
Tasmania, with 1,900 employees, represents less than 1%
6mpta gold 260 2022 of the national resources and energy workforce. It has two
other trades trade technicians expansion projects (Dolphin and Renison), scheduled in the
303 (e.g. electrical, 140 (maintenance, modelled period (100 employees).
maintenance) instruments, electrical)
To grow resources and energy jobs both states will need
supervisors, management to convert new projects from early feasiblity into committed
893 management, 72 (supervisors, plant and
investment.
administration supply chain, HSE)
Victoria has 11 projects early in feasibility, which could
LNG IMPORT TERMINAL (AGL) PORT KEMBLA GAS TERMINAL (Squadron Energy)
mine engineering, engineers, geologists, create around 900 new jobs. Tasmania has two new mines
960 technical, geology 23 lab analysts and one expansion considered possible. However it is too
Gas, 100 PJ/pa 40 2023 Gas, 100 PJ/pa 50 2022 early to predict workforce demand.
New workforce demand (2021-2026) by skills group:
New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania
Operators 2,400
Fitters
ORBOST GAS PLANT (APA)
No. of people employed
Other trades
Management 1,600
Gas, 24.8 PJ/pa 35 2021 Engineers
DOLPHIN PROJECT (King Island Scheelite) 800
200ktpa tungsten 60 2023
0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Estimated workforce Estimated start date
Additional Data Breakdown
New workforce demand (2021-2026): Workforce growth (2021-2026): mining v oil/gas
(by state/territory, accumulative) (by percentage growth on previous year total)
WA 14,000 Mining 6%
Production headcount required
NT 12,000 LNG
5%
SA
10,000
QLD 4%
8,000
NSW 3%
VIC
6,000
2%
TAS 4,000
2,000 1%
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Annual production workforce growth Workforce growth (2021-2026): East / Central / West
(by state/territory, percentage growth on previous year) (by percentage growth on previous year total)
WA 6% East 6%
NT&SA Central
5% 5%
QLD West
NSW 4% 4%
VIC&TAS 3% 3%
2% 2%
1% 1%
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
New workforce demand (2021-2026) Workforce demand (2021-2026): blue / white collar
(by commodity area, accumulative) (accumulative)
Gold 9,000 Blue collar 16,000
Production headcount required
LNG, Gas, White collar 14,000
Petroleum 7,500
Coal
12,000
6,000
Iron Ore 10,000
Nickel 4,500 8,000
Copper 6,000
3,000
Lead, Zinc, Silver
4,000
Lithium 1,500
2,000
Uranium
0 0
Other Commodities
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Annual production workforce growth Workforce demand (2021-2026): skills / trade areas
(by commodity area, percentage growth on previous year) (accumulative)
Coal 7% Operators 12,000
Oil and gas 6% Trades
10,000
Metal ore Professional
5%
Non-metallic 8,000
mineral 4%
6,000
Exploration and 3%
Support Services
4,000
2%
1% 2,000
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
All projects modelled (‘committed’ and ‘publicly announced’ only)
PROJECT STATE COMMODITY YEAR EST. WORKFORCE PROJECT STATE COMMODITY YEAR EST. WORKFORCE
Australian Vanadium Project WA Vanadium 2023 240 Eagle Downs QLD Coal 2023 500
Beyondie WA Sulfate of potash 2021 70 Eva Copper Project QLD Copper, gold 2023 280
Binduli Heap Leaching Project Phase 2 WA Gold 2022 118 Ironbark No.1 QLD Coal 2023 350
Black Swan / Silver Swan Restart WA Nickel 2021 180 Isaac Plains QLD Coal 2022 200
Browse and NWS Extension WA Gas/LNG/Condensate/LPG 2026 720 Mount Morgan Tailings Project QLD Gold 2021 100
Butcherbird WA Manganese concentrate 2021 150 Mt Carbine (Stage 2) QLD Tungsten tailings 2022 100
Coburn WA Ilmenite, zircon, HiTi 2022 150 Mt Carlton QLD Gold 2021 180
Corunna downs WA Iron ore (hematite) 2021 300 Olive Downs QLD Coal 2022 500
Crux LNG WA LNG 2024 50 Ravenswood (Sarsfield open pit) QLD Gold 2022 280
Eliwana (Western Hub) WA Iron ore (hematite) 2021 500 Roma North QLD Gas 2021 15
Gabanintha WA Vanadium oxide 2023 200 Sconi QLD Nickel 2023 300
Golden Pike Cutback WA Gold 2021 100 Sun Metals Zinc Refinery Stage 2 QLD Lead, zinc, silver 2021 100
Goongarrie Nickel Cobalt Project WA Nickel, cobalt 2024 300 Surat Gas Project QLD Gas 2026 200
Gorgon Stage 2 WA Gas 2023 40 Tipton QLD Gas 2026 45
Greenbushes Expansion beyond 1.95-2.3 mtpa WA Spodumene (lithium) 2024 50 Valeria QLD Coal 2026 950
Havieron WA Gold 2023 105 Wilton-Fairhill QLD Coal 2023 100
Iron Bridge WA Iron ore (magnetite) 2022 900 Winchester South QLD Coal 2026 450
Julimar-Brunello Project Phase II WA Gas/LNG 2022 15
Ammaroo (Stage 1 and 2) NT Phosphate 2023 165
Kambalda Restart WA Nickel 2022 200
Barossa backfill to Darwin LNG NT Santos 2024 105
Karlawinda WA Gold 2021 183
Jervois NT Copper, silver 2021 300
Katanning Gold Project WA Gold 2023 84
Tanami Expansion 2 NT Gold 2023 180
Kemerton lithium plant WA Lithium hydroxide, sodium sulphate 2022 100
King of the Hills WA Gold 2022 300
Hillside SA Copper, Gold 2023 430
Koodaideri WA Iron ore (hematite) 2022 600
Kalkaroo SA Copper, Gold 2023 260
Kwinana Nickel Sulphate project WA Nickel sulphate 2022 180
Siviour SA Graphite Concentrate 2024 100
Lake Way WA Sulphate of potash 2021 100
Lake Wells WA sulfate of potash 2023 200 Balranald Project NSW Ilmenite, zircon, rutile 2023 120
Leinster B11 Block Cave WA Nickel 2021 80 Cadia Expansion - Stage 1 &2 NSW Gold 2022 75
Mt Weld WA Rare earths 2023 100 Chain Valley Extension NSW Coal 2023 220
Mulga Rock WA Uranium 2023 490 Cowal NSW Gold 2023 160
Odysseus WA Nickel 2021 100 Dargues Reef (Majors Creek) NSW Gold 2021 100
Oroya Brownhill WA Gold 2022 45 Hawsons NSW Iron ore (magnetite) 2026 500
Paddington Mill Upgrade WA Gold 2021 100 Hume Coal Project NSW Coal 2024 300
Parker Range (Mt Caudan) WA Iron ore (hematite) 2023 160 Mandalong Southern Extension NSW Coal 2021 300
Pilgangoora (Stage 2, Phase 1) WA Spodumene (lithium) 2023 75 Mangoola Continued Operations NSW Coal 2023 300
Ravensthorpe Gold Project WA Gold 2023 100 McPhillamys NSW Gold 2022 260
Robe Valley (Mesa B,C,H deposits) WA Iron ore (hematite) 2021 625 Mount Owen Continued Operations NSW Coal 2021 0
Scarborough and Pluto Expansion WA Gas/LNG 2024 600 Mt Pleasant Optimisation Project NSW Coal 2026 270
South Flank (Yandi, mining area C) WA Iron ore (hematite) 2021 600 Narrabri coal seam gas project NSW Gas 2023 200
Super Pit (Fimiston) South Open Pit Stage 1 WA Gold 2021 700 Narrabri Stage 3 NSW Coal 2026 220
Thunderbird WA Zircon, ilmenite, leucoxene 2022 280 Port Kembla Gas Terminal NSW Gas 2022 50
Transborders Energy’s Generic FLNG Solution WA Gas/LNG 2023 100 Stratford extension NSW Coal 2021 125
Warrawoona WA Gold 2022 48 Tahmoor South NSW Coal 2022 400
West Angelas (Deposits C&D) WA Iron ore (hematite) 2021 750 United-Wambo NSW Coal 2021 500
Wiluna/Matilda WA Gold 2021 100 Vickery NSW Coal 2024 450
Wodgina Processing Plant WA Spodumene (lithium) 2024 200 Wallarah 2 NSW Coal 2024 300
Yangibana WA Rare earths 2023 240
LNG import terminal VIC Gas 2023 40
Baralaba South QLD Coal 2023 400 Orbost Gas Plant VIC Gas 2021 35
Belview QLD Coal 2024 290
Carmichael Coal QLD Coal 2021 900 Dolphin Project TAS Tungsten trioxide 2023 60
Renison Expansion Project (Area 5) TAS Tin 2025 40You can also read
