BNamericas citing Mr Graham Buttenshaw the senior VP of mining construction and engineering company Redpath South America as saying that employee management policies in the mining industry have to focus on attracting and retaining workers to resolve the lack of skilled human resources.

He said that "Unlike the capital intensive nature of the open pit mining business, underground mining is more reliant upon highly skilled human resources."

Mr Buttenshaw said as new mines develop, existing open pits go underground and others expand to capitalize on the current market conditions increasing the demand for skilled underground employees.

He said that "This then necessitates a twofold approach to employee management to first ensure that the industry remains attractive for young adults entering the workforce and then implement programs to retain those that are already employed."

(Sourced from www.bnamericas.com)