Recruitment drive for Far North Queensland is launched by Rio Tinto

More than 100 workers for a variety of roles at Rio Tinto’s bauxite operations in Far North Queensland are being sought.

Rio Tinto has launched a recruitment drive for positions at its existing Weipa mines at Andoon and East Weipa and the Amrun project south of the Embley River between Weipa and Aurukun.

The aim is to build a workforce that is capable of supporting Rio’s developing site at Amrun.

The Amrun project involves a range of infrastructure to support mining including a processing plant and port near Boyd Bay, a dam, roads and tailings storage facility. To transport workers from Weipa to the mine, a ferry terminal will be put on Hey River.

Rio is seeking workers for electrical and instrumentation technician positions, operators, plant fitters and maintenance.

According to Rio, Amrun roles will start immediately while others will gradually take effect between 2018 and 2019, with Rio aiming to ship first bauxite from Amrun during the first quarter of 2019.

Daniel van der Westhuizen, Rio Tinto Weipa Operations general manager, said it was an exciting time for the company to offer a large array of roles that would ultimately support the bauxite operations.

“Its an exciting time for our people, business and community with Amrun becoming part of a strong and sustainable future for the region,” van der Westhuizen said.

According to the miner, Weipa will remain as the residential base for the three mines in the region as Andoom and East Weipa employees will return home after every shift.

Role in demand at Rio Tinto Weipa include;

• Fixed plant operator maintainers
• Heavy equipment personnel
• Crew leader
• Plant operators
• Electrical maintainers/operators
• Electrical maintainers
• Heavy equipment fitters
• Dozer and loader operators.

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