Dalradian, which has spent £130million over the past decade on works and studies to support its planning application for an environmentally responsible, underground gold-silver-copper mine in west Tyrone, has announced details of its future plans for a three-year, £15m skills development package.
The mine will directly employ around 350 people when operational and create around 1,000 jobs in total when indirect and induced jobs are included. Based on the experience of other mines, Dalradian anticipates that it will recruit at least 90% of its employees from the local area.
The initial £15m programme will coincide with the mine’s two-year construction and its first full year of underground operations. Further training will then be provided on an ongoing basis to maintain and develop additional skills.
Given the high-tech nature of modern mining, Dalradian plans to make extensive use of virtual reality tools and simulators. The technology is similar to that used to train aircraft pilots and has already been demonstrated at Omagh-based South West College. The company will also provide hands-on experience with mining equipment adapted for training purposes.
The programme will be supported by an international mining school with a track record in delivering training and by accessing training support from South West College.
Dalradian’s President and CEO, Patrick FN Anderson said: “Tyrone has impressively strong and globally recognised manufacturing, quarrying, engineering and construction sectors which draw upon the same skills of ingenuity and practical problem solving practised in mining. Based on a decade of doing business in Northern Ireland I’m very confident that at least 90% of Dalradian’s 350 full-time employees will be recruited locally.
“We are seeking to fill a wide range of jobs, both above and under the ground, from office support through to mechanics, electricians plus those who want to become highly skilled miners. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, young or old, we will need a good mix of those just starting their careers and those with plenty of life experience.
“Covid-19 has created a very uncertain economic climate, but as the lockdown eases attention is turning to how to support economic recovery. This will be one of the largest private sector investments in training west of the Bann.
“Mining jobs are highly technical, which is why our average salary will be twice the Northern Ireland average. Should the mine receive planning permission we will begin recruiting and training staff during the mine’s two-year construction phase. This could be as early as the second half of 2021.”
Initial training and mining operations will be provided by overseas mining specialists, but the skills development package will provide a managed transition to a predominantly local workforce. Dalradian intend to develop the training in-house and may deliver it in conjunction with the local college.
Training will occur in three stages starting with health and safety before progressing to job specific roles using virtual reality, simulators, training equipment and, finally, supervised on-the-job training.
Examples of mining roles to be recruited and developed locally include operators of specialist underground equipment such as ground support bolters, haul trucks, ‘jumbos’ which are used for drilling and ‘scooptrams’ to transport loose rock. Other positions will include millwrights, blasters, electricians and welders, plus support roles including HR, administration and IT.
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