Globe News

• MENA Mining Congress – Dubai – 2011

  December 22, 2011

  Touching down in the freezing Dubai evening with temperatures falling to 35°C, we grabbed our passes and we ready to begin Globe24-7’s first foray at the MENA Mining Congress. With around 400 delegates, including Mining, Energy and Finance Ministers from some of the most strategically important countries within the region, coupled with over 50 exhibitors, ranging from junior miners to mining services companies it was indeed compact, but highly focussed.

  Not only was this an ideal opportunity to network with key stakeholders who operate within the region, but it was also the ideal chance to attend speeches and workshops in order to find out the answer to some pressing questions.

  With a report earlier this year from the IMF pointing out that the MENA region will experience a rather difficult time in its economic growth (Without even taking in to account recent political unrest), this conference gave some answers as to what different governments and ministers are trying to do to overcome these issues. It seems there is some good news with it being pointed out by one speaker, that…

  MENA is better regulated and managed than some of the other emerging markets such as India. Foreign investors find this market more transparent, particularly developed areas such as Dubai, Oman and Qatar, but less so for Syria and Egypt. In India, the legal structure has a long way to go and you really do need to be on the ground.”

  It would seem that the most important two factors to come out of this conference are that the mining sector in the MENA region really hasn’t been exploited and has huge amounts of potential, and that the governments in the area seem to be striving to diversify their economies. Judging  from just a handful of the speeches given by representatives from the junior mining companies, it would seem that foreign investment is beginning to roll in.

  With the conference organisers promising that next year’s gathering will have twice the number of attendees, it will be interesting to see how government strategies pan out and whether investment in the area will increase as some are projecting it to do.

  – Mat Gladdish, Consultant – EME, CIS and Western Asia

• Tanzanian Mining and Energy Conference

  December 19, 2011

  The inaugural Tanzanian Mining and Energy Conference was recently held between October 19 – 20  2011 at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania. The objective of the Conference was to promote Tanzania’s Mining and Energy industries and create a forum to establish business partnerships and so Globe 24-7’s General Manager, Lachlan Spicer attended the conference to meet with existing and new resource-based companies operating in Tanzania.

  The two day conference included presentations from the major mining, oil and gas and energy companies along with speakers from various government agencies and like any emerging market within Africa there are positive signs with an increasing domestic and international focus on the sector. Tanzania has its fair set of challenges however the conference outlook was optimistic and one of ‘potential’ that should to see the sector develop in the coming years.

  Lachlan commented that “the conference was well worth the time and effort, strengthening existing Tanzanian clientele relationships plus opening up new opportunities for 2012 and beyond”.

  The official TMEC 2001 post-conference report is available here

  

• A Mauritian in Mali (Journées Minières et Pétrolières 2011)

  December 19, 2011

  One of the most exciting mining and petroleum industry events was held in Mali’s capital, Bamako.  The conference attracted over 600 participants and over 50 exhibitors from all over the world.  The theme for the 2011 conference was “Mali: Sustainably diversifying its mineral resources”.   It was uplifting to see how the environment for future generations is high on the agenda of the Malian government.

  During the opening ceremony, which was a very colourful and musical affair with the entertainment provided by the national folk band; I was informed by a proud Malian about the famous pilgrimage to Mecca of the Emperor Kankou Moussa in 1324, on his caravan he carried more than 8 tonnes of gold which he distributed along his journey! Mali has therefore been traditionally a mining country for over half a millennium.

  As the third largest producer of gold, Mali currently has seven operating gold mines which include: Kalana and Morila in Southern Mali, Yatela, Sadiola and Loulo in Western Mali, and mines which have recently restarted production notably Syama and Tabakoto. Advanced gold exploration projects include: Kofi, Kodieran, Gounkoto, Komana, Banankoro, Kobada and Nampala.

  For the next few years, encouraging performances in the extraction of other mineral resources are expected.

  On the fourth day of JMP 2011, participants were treated to technical visits to two of Mali’s major mining operations; where we were greeted to a warm welcome; making the 4 hour bus journey thoroughly worth it!

  What an amazing experience and wonderful hospitality from the Malian people!

  - Mary-Anne Etienne-Hughes, Recruitment Consultant

  

  John Brinkhurst, Country Manager – Mali Manganese SA and Mary-Anne Hughes

• New Regional Manager in North America

  November 3, 2011

  Globe 24-7 is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Mill to the position of Regional Manager, North America.

  Stephen is responsible for managing Globe’s North American operation and has over 15 years experience working with international resources industry recruitment including previously managing two of the largest recruitment companies in North America.

  Based in Toronto but with frequent travel throughout North America, Stephen has recruited for large and small mining companies for a range of senior positions and is a welcome asset to the Globe team.

  To contact Stephen, or anyone in our Toronto Office, please visit our contact page

• Successful campaigns and market forces expand Globe International Workforce

  July 18, 2011

  On the back of a successful bulk recruitment campaign out of the United Kingdom, Globe 24-7’s International Workforce division continues to gain momentum.

  Having recently recruited a number of expatriate skilled trade personnel for a major engineering company within Australia, our International Workforce division now prepares itself to take on the looming Australian skills shortage.

  With major industry groups calling on the government to deal with this impending crisis, it is no secret that as the crippling phenomena draws ever closer, companies will be forced to look abroad to maintain a functioning workforce and prevent projects from being pushed offshore.

  Steve Knott, chief executive of the Mines and Metals Association, stated in a recent speech,

  “The existence of a labour shortage in the Australian Resources Industry and the detrimental impact this is having on the productivity of enterprises is now beyond doubt.” *

  As our resource and construction sectors brace for these inevitable events, Globe International Workforce is prepared and confident in presenting a viable alternative to relieve staffing issues.

  Positioned with a dedicated team of professional Recruitment & HR staff and the location of our operating offices in major global resource hubs, Globe International Workforce provides an outstanding service securing & presenting worldwide talent to the Australian workforce through Permanent Visa application or the temporary 457 visa process.

  Recently completing one such recruitment campaign within the UK, Globe’s International Workforce, Damian Cotellessa explains the benefits of this approach,

  “From the condition of the labour market within the mining industry in Australia, it became apparent that we had to widen our search and increase the talent pool of suitable workers. Upon assessing the needs of our client, it made sense for our search to include the UK where we knew we would be able to find available, experienced and qualified tradespeople that would seamlessly fit into the Australian way of life. With targeted advertising and an effective screening process we were able to provide our clients with several quality candidates, many of whom are presently preparing for their arrival in Australia.”

  In its bid to partner with clients and understand their business, Globe International Workforce has developed its capacity in operating at the forefront of the resources industry, analysing workforce trends and resource demographics, enabling it to provide tailor-made campaigns and deliver real solutions.

  Craig Bain

  *The Australian, June 30, 2011

  Click here to download the International Workforce brochure.

• Business Breakfast Wrap-up: Employer Sponsored Migration

  July 7, 2011

  Globe 24-7’s quarterly Business Breakfast was held at the Waldorf Hotel in Perth recently.  With the topic of Employer Sponsored Migration. There was a lot of note taking and some valued information acquired by the audience as some of the practicalities, positives, and potential pitfalls of this increasingly growing part of our industry were brought to light.  Breakfast time was invested well by an audience of Perth’s Mining Business Community who were educated by the following Key Note Speakers:

  John Crouch – Hitachi – Current Offshore Recruitment Campaign

  John Crouch, HR Advisor for Hitachi Construction Machinery gave the audience a real time account of the why’s, where’s, how’s and watch-out-for’s of a successful off-shore volume recruitment campaign. 

  Having completed the full circle of advertising locally and nationally with undesirable results, Hitachi Construction Machinery made the call to work with Australian Visa People and Globe 24-7 to identify, target and attract and migrate suitable talent pools of Mechanical and Auto-Electrical Fitters from overseas. 

  John emphasised testing applicants’ commitment to such a life-changing move as being as important as their technical skills and experience.  The ideal of moving to Australia verses the reality can often be poles apart so both educating applicants and understanding their key drivers and motivators is a critical element for what is a significant company investment.  John advised employers to make sure they give a true account of the opportunity and potential new home applicants, and to be flexible and communicate well with third parties to ensure accurate information flow as over time the needs of a business changes.

  John’s conclusion summed it up well with: “We’re going back for more”.  Clearly a proactive solution to a problem which is not likely to go away soon.

  Peter Moss – Australian Visa People – Employer Sponsored Migration

  Identifying, targeting, attracting and screening the most suitable applicants to your market is but the first stage when recruiting from overseas. Peter Moss from Australia Visa People followed on and gave the audience the all important overview of how to ensure an employer ticks the right boxes  to ensure a smooth & uninterrupted immigration process.  This is the final critical stage to a successful offshore campaign.

  Peter gave  informative insight into legislation, process and the obligations of employers sponsoring overseas employees.  This topic certainly uncovered for those present some of the potential pitfalls in not understanding employer obligations and the need to keep up to speed with the policies and acts surrounding the subject.  In particular the impact on a company’s training budgetary requirements, auditing and the implications of not following correct procedure.  Peter summed his discussion advising our audience to seek professional advice, keep up to date with policy and to ensure that this essential component to sourcing talent is well managed the first time.

  From Globe 24-7, thanks to those who attended and  to those who have fed back and engaged in discussion around accessing talent pools overseas.  A great start to the morning and a well spent breakfast time! 

  Please contact us for more information about Employer Sponsored Migration.