Industry: Resources | Project: Mine Closures & Workforce Transition
Client: A Leading Resources Company (WA)

Overview

When a prominent mining organisation made the difficult decision to temporarily shut down three of its Western Australian mine sites due to falling gold prices, the impact extended well beyond operations — affecting workers, families, and entire regional communities.

Although the closures were commercially unavoidable, the leadership team was committed to handling the process with empathy, consistency, and integrity. Their goal was to support every impacted employee — from FIFO workers to head office staff — through the transition with respect and care.

The Challenge

The closures impacted:

  • FIFO and residential employees across three remote mine sites
  • Head office staff in Perth — from marketing and geology to admin and HR
  • Senior leadership, including the HR Director

The company faced several key challenges:

  1. Delivering equitable support to every affected employee, regardless of location, shift pattern, or role
  2. Executing a time-sensitive and cost-effective support plan at scale
  3. Ensuring each employee felt supported, informed, and prepared for what came next
  4. Maintaining a positive employer brand, with plans to reopen operations in the future

The Solution

We collaborated with the company’s HR team to design and deliver a practical, human-centred transition support program, tailored to their workforce profile and logistical constraints.

Key components included:

✅ On-site visits to all mine locations, covering both day and night shifts
✅ Individual career coaching sessions with every impacted employee
✅ Career transition workshops offered onsite and in local communities
✅ Support from Perth-based offices for urban employees and those relocating
✅ Ongoing check-ins and follow-up to ensure continuity of care and support

This flexible and comprehensive approach ensured that no one was left behind, and all employees had access to meaningful career support during a vulnerable time.

The Results

🔹 High engagement rate across all impacted employees
🔹 Strong transitions into new roles across multiple industries
🔹 Low levels of internal resistance or negative sentiment
🔹 Reputation preserved within the workforce and the broader market

Business Benefits

While the closures were financially driven, the company had long-term talent needs in mind. They understood that:

  • They would likely reopen the mines when market conditions improved
  • Their future success depended on their ability to re-attract top talent
  • Their response to the closures would leave a lasting reputational impact

By offering comprehensive career support, the company demonstrated genuine care, mitigated brand risk, and left the door open for future re-employment opportunities with goodwill intact.

Services Provided

🔹 Notification support
🔹 One-on-one Career Transition Coaching
🔹 Group Career Workshops
🔹 Financial Planning Support

Final Thoughts

This project is a powerful example of how strategic workforce transition, when done well, can serve both the organisation and its people.

By acting with compassion and professionalism — even under difficult circumstances — this leading resources company ensured its people felt heard, supported, and better prepared for the future.

If you’re leading through workforce change, we can help you ensure your people — and your reputation — come through stronger.

—
Peter James
Workforce Transition Specialist | Resources & Infrastructure
Redundancy Support | Outplacement | Career Planning