Coal mine introduces ‘nanny’ shift

When full-time dig operators, truck and bulldozer drivers at Griffin’s Collie coalmine in Western Australia’s south-west take their staggered meal breaks, the “nanny” crew takes over, according to the Australian Financial Review.

The part-time staff keep the equipment going between 11.30am and 3.30pm in a productivity measure brokered this month between the mine operators and union representatives.

The measure is indicative of a trend in the resources sector that means mine owners must not only maximise productivity but also offer flexible arrangements to attract workers to the booming area.

The deal is less controversial than those operations pushing for foreign labour arrangements.

The need for flexibility is underlined as women become a prime recruiting opportunity for mining companies.

Mining tax take will fall short, says UBS

The federal government can be expected to receive only 35% of Treasury’s forecast take from the minerals resource rent tax over the next four years, according to an analysis by UBS and reported in the Australian Financial Review.

In a report sent to clients two days after Fortescue Metals Group lodged a High Court challenge against the MRRT, UBS analyst Glyn Lawcock forecast miners affected by the tax would be paying $4.78 billion over the next four years, against the Treasury estimate of $13.4 billion.

In the 2013 financial year, there is a $1.2 billion gap between the two estimates, which compares with the forecast $1.5 billion budget surplus.

The MRRT applies to iron ore and coalminers, but Lawcock said iron ore miners were expected to account for all MRRT payments because coalminers were not profitable enough to pass the thresholds, due in part to lower margins, higher royalties and the impact of the carbon tax, which also begins on July 1.

Turn the aid tap off for generators, say users

Big energy users have slammed claims by coal-fired power station owners that future investment in electricity generation is at risk and have declared the government should not give further financial aid to the sector, according to The Australian.

Energy Users Association of Australia executive director Roman Domanski said: "People shouldn't be persuaded to believe that there is some threat to security of supply … that's not the case."