Mining giant BHP Billiton has announced plans to provide support to some of the 1,000 workers who will soon lose their jobs as BlueScope Steel shuts down its Port Kembla Steelworks.

 

BHP Illawarra Coal will establish an on-line job centre to take applications from people affected by the BlueScope Steel announcement as well as other local people who are interested in joining the coal industry.

 

BHP Billiton’s President Illawarra Coal, Colin Bloomfield, said the Company had recently employed a number of people without experience in the mining industry and will look to employ up to 50 more people in a range of roles across its Illawarra coal operations. 

 

“The company will also take applications from anyone willing to work in its Queensland coal operations where more than 750 job vacancies currently exist, or in our Iron Ore operations in Western Australia where 600 vacancies exist,” Mr Bloomfield said.

 

More information regarding these employment opportunities will be advertised in local newspapers in coming days.