| Linking with the local community | ||
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BHP Billiton has a new nickel operation at remote Ravensthorpe known as the RNO, on the south coast of Western Australia. Supportive research materials. A FIFO (fly in / Fly out) construction workforce is evolving to a mining workforce with families that will be housed in existing housing in nearby Ravensthorpe and in lots of new housing developments in Hopetoun, that are overwhelming a tiny sleepy beach side community. (Old beach shacks have new 2 storey housing as next door neighbours). There is also a farming community surrounding the mining activities together with a small service industry of public servants, teachers etc. |
Identified groups |
The changing actual and percentage population distribution between the following groups makes for complex interactions. FIFO construction workforce (Reducing - change to contractors) Mining families & children (large incomes) Farming communities (reducing number - older average ages) Small service businesses (staff shortages & wage pressures) Public servants (May only stay for a few years) Local labour families (New employment options, training needs). Indigenous people (Are 'one with the land', but can be ignored) Young people (Seeking careers in a bigger, outside world). |
| Fitting in ideas | It is not a new situation. Remember the line from the musical ... the ploughman and the cowboy can't be friends .... No matter what the location, the following guidelines can be helpful in understanding what the problems area and how to avoid them . |
| Sports | A common set of rules is a good start point to get different teams of people to meet and enjoy a beer. The locals can get an advantage from having a consistent team because the rosters can mix and match the teams from the mine. |
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| Share resources | Farmers have an affinity with the land and become weary of some miners, particularly open cut operations, as they feel that their land and water might be under threat. Sharing the resources is an important perspective on both sides. |
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| Don't steal the women | Miners with money can sweep people off their feet. This can upset the locals. Take care! |
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| Community support | Many communities weigh up the balance sheet when the "new guy" comes to town. Yes, it can be cheaper to buy outside the community and 'parachute' it into the local scene. It can cause the 'death' of the locals. Take care and show long term wisdom not a short term 'smug' attitude. |
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| Other useful stuff .... |
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More examples of small communities being swamped: |
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