REMOTE MINE SERVICES
Keeping it local
As border closures and COVID-19-related restrictions took hold over the last year , on-site suppliers of key services have risen to the fore . Dan Gleeson reports on initiatives and contract wins from some of the sector ’ s integral industry contractors
As COVID-19 hit , the importance of critical service suppliers at remote mine sites became obvious .
The fly-in fly-out restrictions and shutdown of supply chains made it harder than ever to get equipment , personnel and supplies into the operations that needed it .
This flexed the muscles of remote service suppliers – testing established supply chains and logistics networks – but , in the face of these issues , they continued to deliver .
At the same time as they continued to get key supplies in , they ensured the virus did not get out and spread .
Many contractors were called on to instil a rigorous cleaning regime , social distancing procedures and adaptable dining options to ensure COVID-19 could not spread exponentially in remote camp sites or into local communities .
Sundeep Singh , BHP ’ s Group Procurement Officer , paid tribute to these service suppliers during the IMARC Online event late last year .
“ Once it was clear COVID-19 would present a significant challenge to our operations , our first priority was to keep people safe ,” he told attendees . “ We were quick to enforce strict social distancing and hygiene protocols .
“ For the supply chain , we triggered the traditional responses such as seeking alternative sources of supply for things like hygiene products . We managed our inventory levels for critical spares for our mobile and fixed plant , we even stepped up data analytics for supply chain transparency – however , none of this alone gave us our resilience .”
Singh said it was the support of BHP ’ s supply chain that ensured the company kept operating and generating employment , taxes , royalties and dividends in this time of crisis .
“ Over this past year , it is with your support that BHP ’ s global supply chain adapted quickly to respond to the crisis ,” he said to the company ' s suppliers . “ Partnering enabled us to react swiftly and confidently in these times . It has allowed our supply chain to rapidly repair with preferential treatment , re-route through joint collaboration and re-invent for new value .” He provided some examples , in the process referencing UK-headquartered Compass Group . Compass provides facilities management support for BHP ’ s operations across Australia , which was critical during COVID-19 , according to Singh . This included everything from providing hygiene supplies , to the safe movement and accommodation of people .
Within this contract , Compass was providing more than just the basics during COVID , as Singh explained .
“ Partnership led Compass through this time , and through this difficult year , to build a facility in Perth , known as …‘ The Academy ’. ‘ The Academy ’ includes a training kitchen , juice and barista training stations , simulation accommodation rooms .”
The benefit of ‘ The Academy ’ was two-fold , according to Singh .
In July 2020 , Sodexo was engaged to provide facility and food services at CRI ' s copper-nickel mining camp in Nunavik , Canada ( credit : Canadian Royalties Inc )
“ Our BHP residents benefit from the higher standards and the skills of the Compass staff to manage this new COVID normal ,” he said . “ Compass benefits via improved customer satisfaction , but also the ability to train their people more broadly for roles outside of BHP . We now have continued safe flow of people and a better experience for our workforce on site .”
Compass Group Australia Managing Director , Shelley Roberts , referenced the importance of such training in her own presentation at IMARC Online .
She also highlighted how the company works with indigenous groups at mine sites to help clients achieve their ESG goals , as well as share some of mining ’ s benefits with local communities .
Roberts , during the event , said the service supplier was building sustainability practices into its supply chain and , where possible , employing indigenous workers and subcontracting indigenous businesses .
Compass provides workplace support for every aspect of daily community life in largescale accommodation centres – including meals ,
accommodation , beds , laundry – and has a diverse mining and resources industry workforce
in Australia .
Close to 10 % of its contingent are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands employees , while it has
100 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2021