Over the last 15 years the contract mining concept has developed
into an integral part of the Australian mining industry. Today it is
a $2 billion per annum industry with the potential to continue to
grow at a rate of between ten and 20 per cent. Australian contract
miners have also exported the concept overseas where growth
prospects are unlimited. The industry today is at a cross-road where both contractors
and mine owners must consider the current state of the contract
mining industry and where it is heading. To look at the present and the future, it is necessary to look
back at the history of contract mining and why it has developed.
Current industry concerns can then be summarised and the areas
that need to be considered to enable the industry to prosper,
reviewed. The ultimate goal is to reach solutions with benefits to
both the mining companies and the contractors.