Big gun jumps ship!

[Michael Alexander]

Heard a murmur in the store yesterday, that one of the big guns (actually 2 of them) jumped ship yesterday, in addition to a lower ranking one climbing off the good ship last friday.......

The more things change, the more they stay the same.....

[Mike Voden (RIP)]

Tell us more Mike A..............

[Michael Alexander]

This can develop into quite the story..... I was talking to two different people yesterday, one based here in Omund and the other at Scorpion , Rosh Pinah...... seems like Home Affairs is clamping down on work permits ... only wanting to employ Namibians....

Like it was pointed out to me..... the big gun who jumped ship is Namibian , but is heading to South Africa..... money is better in other countries....... Now we all know , that in every single country in the world..... that is involved in mining, you will always get expat workers..... for a number of reasons...... They are willing to do the job.... they bring skills with them..... and in most cases their quality of work is of a higher standard than the local..... Somebody mentioned.... Yes! but it's 21 years after independence.... where are our skilled black workers ....... well, let's check the facts..... those that were trained in this time, were indeed here..... but they don't stay, they can smell pastures elsewhere,...... in some cases , even leaving Namibia at the end of the day......

I fear that the government does not appear to grasp the seriousness of this issue...... as you lose the local skills to outside markets and you refuse , without seeing the bigger picture..., to allow expats in....... you will eventually lose revenues, from underperforming mines and lost royalties.........

It's just strange that every other country in the world allows these guys in to help enrich their mining sectors...... except Namibia....

[Alfred Boehme]

I saw the mine wide brief of the two jumping ship

[Malcolm Bertoni]

Come to Australia -

Ther's a huge mining boom starting again after the recession (which we didnt really have).  There is going to be a massive shortage of mine workers.  Unskileld workers such as treatment plant operators get +Aus$100,000 pa and that excludes perks such as free accomocation and board, etc.

Western Aus, Northern Territory and Queensland are going to be looking for thousands of people for the mining sector pretty soon.

Malcolm

[toonfandangl]

Hi Malcolm (Mbertoni) and yes Queensland has been in the grip of a mineral bonanza for some time (what recession) the city of Brisbane has a population around 1.9 million and is expected to double in the next forty years.With the living and weather conditions skilled workers will be at a premium.



It's Australia's biggest ever gas deal. Worth some $60 billion, the deal between the UK's BG Group and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation will see millions of tonnes of liquefied natural gas exported from the coal mines of central Queensland.

Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson was predictably pleased. In China to witness the signing of the deal, Ferguson told the ABC that "the coal seam methane industry potentially means about $50 billion in investment over time, tens of billions in exports and tens of thousands of jobs". Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was equally happy, lauding the "9500 jobs" expected to be created in Gladstone and the Surat Basin...............................Frank.

[Michael Alexander]

@Malcolm and Frank.... and yes, being the 1st world country that you guys are.... you will be taking on 1000's of expats to exploit this..... unlike Namibia, land of the brave.... who are too narrow minded to understand the concept that you need an expat workforce......

What is the Australian unemployment rate at the moment?

[Malcolm Bertoni]

Hi Mike

It took a massive leap from about 4% to about 6-6.5%    True. 

As toonfandangl says, some of the States are and will contiue to boom.  The expasion on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane as well as further north has to be seen to be believed.

Unfortunately here in Tas nothing much ever happens . . .

Malcolm

[Michael Alexander]

Malcolm...... in that case if I ever emigrate to OZ...Tas will be the place.... at least you don't have major water shortages...... Mmmh! How many gemsboks live there?

[toonfandangl]

Unemployment rate in Australia is 5:3 per cent and falling!! Namibian rate was 5:0 per cent that was in December 2008

[Michael Alexander]

Er.... No Jokes.... the Namibian rate is actually 50.3%...

[SandyB]

Try SA unemployment ...   wonder what it really is ...

[Malcolm Bertoni]

Probably almost impossible to get a true figure for SA and Namibia unemployment rate. SA must be 40+%?

As Frank says 9500 jobs for Gladstone is amazing.  Gladstone is in northern Queensland about 550 kms north of Brisbane and has a population of about 50,000 so 9500 extra jobs in such a small place is unbelievable.

By the way Tas has had the wettest winter in about 100 years and the warmest March in 50 years.  We actually hit 30C a few times which is pretty damn rare for down here.  Been a great summer weather-wise.  Youre more than welcome to come down here Mike - not a bad place at all and very relaxed.

Malcolm

[toonfandangl]

Yes Michael! I wish I was a few years younger Gladstone is 300 kilometers north I have heard earnings are around $250 000+ for tradesman, their problem will be housing and accommodation (might dye my hair and get some botox done) and your reference to Queensland's water shortage .................well gurgle gurgle you have not been taken notice of the shout box we are all drowning here..................... these are the figures for South East Queensland water

Wivenhoe, Somerset & North Pine dams (Greater Brisbane)                 
Wivenhoe Dam is at 96.6%, with 30mm of rainfall in the last 7 days.

Somerset Dam is at capacity with 19mm of rainfall in the last 7 days. Recreational activities at Somerset are open at all locations.

North Pine Dam is currently at 99.7%, with 20mm of rainfall in the last 7 days.

Malcolm I see you have some trouble down there (Tass) with your parliamentarians!! Hung Parliament labour giving the reins to the liberals............ how long do you think that will last ???...................Frank

[Malcolm Bertoni]

Hi Frank

The pollies are a pretty hopeless bunch down here - must be the isolation. The Liberals are forming a minority government and the Green hold the balance of power.  Probably the only place in the universe where the Greens increased their votes. The potential pulp mill and the forestry industry hacking down all the forests is possibly why.

The power sharing might last until Christmas?

Malcolm