BHP has allegedly sacked more than two dozen contractors as part of a corruption investigation into its coal operations in Queensland.
According to The Australian, 26 contractors – who were all hired to work at the Saraji mine in the Bowen Basin – have been axed after the mining giant uncovered non-existent work or jobs where the extent of the work was greatly exaggerated. Some of the roles are understood to have been part time or had yet to commence.
The issue reportedly comes from within BMA, Australia’s largest producer and supplier of seaborne metallurgical coal, which is jointly owned by BHP and Mitsubishi.
BHP is said to be carrying out investigations to determine how the contracts were issued and what the financial impact of any improper or unwarranted payments will be, while international labour hire firm Hays – which is not accused of any wrongdoing – appears to have been instructed to terminate the contractors after a review found they were not required.
A BMA spokesman said BMA has “robust measures in place to prevent and detect fraud and misconduct, and where it takes place to investigate and take necessary action.”
“We encourage anyone to speak up if they have concerns any conduct is inconsistent with our code (anti-corruption guidelines), internal requirements, or conduct that may be illegal or improper,” he said.
The contractor sackings have been called “the tip of the corruption iceberg,” with The Australian suggesting individuals who claim to have knowledge of the scandal are seeking to act as whistleblowers, saying they have reported the alleged corruption to Crimestoppers in Queensland.
One whistleblower, who spoke to the publication anonymously, said “tens of millions of dollars” were involved over the past five years.
“There are others who are willing to come forward to expose what has been happening over a period of years. BHP has dropped the ball,” they said.
Another source told the Courier Mail that concerns had been raised about mining equipment suppliers, with multiple people reportedly making complaints through BHP’s internal whistleblower system.
