News

More traditional land owners join the Prominent Hill mine workforce

Seven trainees of the 2009 OZ Minerals Prominent Hill Pre-employment Training Program
have successfully graduated and are now working on the mine site.

This was the fifth Prominent Hill Pre-employment Training Program and was specifically
organised for the Antakarinja community, who are the traditional owners of the area
around Prominent Hill. Seven trainees successfully completed the program and have
been placed in a number of roles in the Environment, Exploration, Resource
Development, Geology, HR and Training departments. Roles include an environment
technician trainee, human resources officer, pit technician and core-farm technicians.

“The Pre-employment Training program continues to be a successful partnership for
Prominent Hill since it commenced three years ago. The 2009 program in particular
strengthens our relationship and ongoing commitment to the local Antakarinja community.
Having as many local and indigenous employees as possible helps to build a loyal, engaged
and culturally adept workforce whilst delivering the added benefit of employment at the mine
being shared with local towns and communities.” Mick Wilkes, Executive General Manager
Operations.

Since the launch of the Prominent Hill Pre-employment Training Program in 2006, five
groups of trainees including 42 successful graduates have successfully completed the
program and taken up roles at Prominent Hill. The graduates all come from local areas
including Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, Oodnadatta and Port Pirie. The Program allows local
indigenous and non indigenous people who have never worked in the mining industry an
opportunity to gain an understanding of and some skills for a job on a mine site.
Successful graduates receive a Certificate II in Metalliferous Mining - Open Cut and a job at
Prominent Hill. The fifth Pre-employment Training Program was a partnership between OZ
Minerals Prominent Hill, TAFE-SA (Port Augusta Aboriginal Access Unit) and Complete
Personnel.

Work has already commenced on the sixth Pre-employment Training Program which will be
specifically targeted towards other groups in regional South Australia.