Argyle Project-The Case for Commuting

Argyle Diamond Mines Pty. Limited (ADM), manager and operator of the Argyle Diamond Mines Joint Venture (ADMJV) will recruit approximately 400 employees during 1985 to operate the new large-scale, open-cut diamond mine and treatment plant being developed at Argyle, in the East Kimberley Region of Western Australia. These employees will live in Perth or environs and will commute to work at Argyle via chartered jet aircraft. On site, they will be accommodated in self-contained single person's quarters, with central messing and recreational facilities. Rostering systems have not been finalised, but it is likely employees will rotate through a cycle of 14 days at site and seven-days on leave in Perth. ADM spent three years evaluating residen- tial options before deciding to commute its workforce from Perth. Another 70 senior staff will reside in Kununurra (the nearest established town, 250 km from Argyle) and commute to the mine daily by air.