Albany is on Rio's FIFO list

Mining giant Rio Tinto is adding Albany to its regional fly-in, fly-out program, giving residents the chance to take advantage of WA’s booming resources industry.

About 20 positions will open up next year at the company’s Brockman 4 iron ore mining operation, which is located about 60km from Tom Price in the Pilbara.

The news comes two months after resources company Mt Magnet South began seeking expressions of interest for FIFO positions out of Albany and on the cusp of Grange Resources making a final project decision on its Southdown iron ore venture at Wellstead.

Rio Tinto’s Pilbara general manager of human resources Kevin Lewis said the company had worked closely with the City of Albany to develop their FIFO program.

“As with all our regional programs, it is important to ensure the local experience is a positive one, one that sees the benefits of our mining operations delivered to the communities where our people live,” he said.

Earlier this year, the City of Albany began contacting mining companies to promote Albany as a base for FIFO workers.

City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it was an exciting opportunity for the economic development of the city.

“We support employment growth and to create further job opportunities, particularly for younger residents, to increase the general level of regional income and to stimulate economic prosperity,” he said.

Rio Tinto will establish a recruitment selection centre for the positions at their Brockman 4 operation in January, with a view to offering jobs to Albany residents by March.

It is expected more positions could become available as the program grows.

Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Graham Harvey said Albany was now in a position to make the most of the State’s mining operations, which had become a “way of life” in WA.

“Effectively, the Great Southern is finally becoming part of the mining industry,” he said.

“We are aware of a couple of other entities… that are also looking at Albany as a FIFO base as well.

“It won’t be without a few negatives, but by and large the positives far outweigh the negatives of having a FIFO operation.”

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