The company will continue with its strategy of international recruitment focusing on Poland, South Africa, New Zealand and the UK, where there is a large pool of experienced underground miners, managing director Tony Caruso told its annual general meeting yesterday.

“We are strengthening our management team through upskilling and recruitment where necessary,” Caruso said.

“This management team has been instrumental in the success of the business to date and we are very confident they, in addition with new staff, will be the driving force behind the ongoing continued success of this business.”

Mastermyne had a workforce of 823 in June 2011 and this number has risen by 20% over the last five months to 1000 people, including contractors. The current manning requirements will see this number increase to approximately 1200 for the full year, Caruso said.

“The strategy in place is working so we will continue with this,” Caruso said.

“The labour market is tight but we are successfully continuing to meet demands of our projects through this balanced human resources strategy.

“The training centre at Mackay has successfully introduced people into the Mastermyne workforce. We are currently considering a second larger facility due to the interest and success.”

Mastermyne’s partnership with Ranstad continues and is delivering good numbers of experienced international and domestic miners, Caruso said.

“We are continuing our investment in workforce training and development with supervisor courses and management training,” he said.