Abstract
Employment of Aboriginal people on mine sites and in other jobs which support mining activities, is a relatively recent phenomenon, largely brought about by agreements negotiated between traditional owners and mining companies. In return for access to land rich in mineral resources, companies are required to provide employment, business and other opportunities to owner groups and Aboriginal people. This chapter documents the experiences of Aboriginal people who commute from a regional location in Western Australia to mine sites a considerable distance away. For Aboriginal people, the opportunities and challenges of long-distance commuting are often amplified. This chapter discusses how a large mining company has facilitated the attraction and retention of Aboriginal employees while also addressing cultural and family needs, often at considerable distance from the workplace. Innovative practices have been developed with broader benefits beyond the mine site.
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Notes
- 1.
The terms Aboriginal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous will be used interchangeably throughout this chapter.
- 2.
‘Humbug’ in Aboriginal communities typically means harassment, intimidation and even violence, to share resources, usually money.
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Haslam McKenzie, F.M., Hoath, A. (2016). Aboriginal Mine Workers: Opportunities and Challenges of Long-Distance Commuting. In: Haslam McKenzie, F. (eds) Labour Force Mobility in the Australian Resources Industry. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2018-6_9
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