The volatility of commodity prices led to many organisations putting projects on hold in 2012 and they remained shelved into 2013, leading to a decreased need for project and non-essential service professionals.

However, activity moved with the fluctuating commodity prices.

While hiring in coal suffered with the low prices, those in the copper and gold industries continued to hire strongly.

Coal seam gas organisations also continued to hire due to ongoing project work in the industry.

“The economic slowdown witnessed in the latter half of 2012 carried over into the new year and there was a cost cutting focus across the board,” Robert Walters mining recruitment manager Matthew Haynes said.

“Nonetheless, mining is cyclical and there are signs it will slowly recover moving forward.

“There is a perception that the market is flush with candidates but the best candidates are well-retained and organisations will still need to put together good offers to get top talent into their teams.”

The update also found underground mining and maintenance professionals were most sought-after and geotechnical engineers were hardest to source.

Haynes said the need for these specialist professionals remained constant and the talent pool of people with these niche skill sets was small.