People And Employment
Hiring preference is given to Aboriginal northerners and other NWT residents
BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc employs about 800 people and has on average an additional 700 contractors on site providing a variety of support services.
The main work rotation is two weeks at the mine, and two weeks out, 12-hour shifts for fourteen days. The mine operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, there are offices in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Vancouver, British Columbia. The main sales office is located in Antwerp, Belgium.
Employees are provided with free scheduled round-trip, work-related transportation from IBA communities (Yellowknife, Lutsel k'e, Behchoko, Wekweètì, Wha Tì, Gamètì, Kugluktuk) as well as Hay River, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Deline, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson and Cambridge Bay.
Our commitments to the north
In 1996 BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. signed a Socio-Economic Agreement with the Government of the NWT. In the Agreement, BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. agreed to commit to provide benefits to northerners and northern Aboriginal peoples through the establishment of hiring targets as well as commitments for northern and northern Aboriginal spending and business opportunities.
The Government of the NWT agreed to help northerners and northern Aboriginal peoples take advantage of the opportunity of employment and business ventures with the mine through training and business support services.
Hiring preference is given to Aboriginal northerners and other NWT residents who have the skills required to work at the mine. Our hiring target is 62 per cent for northerners and 31 per cent for northern Aboriginals. Yellowknife, NWT is the main point of hire.
Socio Economic Agreement (PDF 1MB)
2007 Annual Report on Northern Employment and Spending (PDF 285kb)
Training
Employee training programs cover all aspects of the operation and provide opportunities for career advancement. A voluntary Workplace Learning Program (PDF 674 KB) helps employees with low literacy levels increase their literacy and numeracy confidence.
Employment Benefits
A comprehensive benefits package for employees includes healthcare, retirement plan, group registered retirement savings plan, group life insurance, medical travel assistance, education assistance program, site allowance, northern travel allowance, fuel purchase program for some communities, an employee assistance program as well as a diamond purchase plan.
