BHP has announced additional plans to remain operational amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its latest update on Friday, the Australian miner said it planned to add 1,500 employees on short-term contracts to its workforce so that it can remain operational. The additional staff consist of people with critical skills that complement the company’s Australian copper and iron ore mining operations.
Additionally, the company plans to revisit short-term contract workers and offer permanent roles for some of the jobs at the end of the contract period.
According to Edgar Basto, BHP’s acting president of minerals Australia, the company is using smaller shift teams to cover operations critical for its copper and iron ore mines, and it has banned business travel for the time being.
On Thursday, BHP announced it’s keeping mines operational while taking steps to reduce risk of the virus spreading. The company said it’s undertaken measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees, and that it was closely monitoring business continuity plans in the event suspending operations becomes necessary.
BHP added that company functions, its supply chain and ability to operate critical mining equipment haven’t been compromised by the pandemic.