Creating a hiring roadmap for a new mining project starts with a deep understanding of the project timeline. You need to align workforce planning with key milestones like early works, construction, commissioning, and first production. Each of these phases brings its own workforce demands, and the timing of those demands is essential to get right. Here are seven steps to create a better hiring roadmap:
Step 1: Define workforce needs by project phase
First, define which roles are needed at each stage and when they need to be mobilised to site. For example, HSE leads and procurement staff are typically required during early works, while operators and maintainers come in closer to commissioning. It’s essential to map these roles to specific project phases so recruitment starts early enough to avoid delays.
Step 2: Work backwards from mobilisation, not job start
To do that, you’ll need to work backwards from the required start dates. Realistically calculate the lead time needed for sourcing, interviews, compliance checks, mobilisation, and onboarding. If an operator is needed on site in September, recruitment may need to begin in June or earlier, depending on market conditions and role complexity.
Step 3: Account for internal promotions and backfills
You also need to account for internal dynamics. Expansions often involve promotions or secondments from existing sites, which means planning for backfills. This adds another layer of complexity to your roadmap.
Step 4: Validate site readiness before scheduling mobilisation
Readiness on site is another key factor. It’s not enough to have your workforce available if accommodation isn’t in place, visas haven’t cleared, or equipment hasn’t arrived. Coordination with site services and logistics is essential to ensure hires are brought in at the right time—not too early, not too late.
Step 5: Build local and Indigenous hiring into the plan
In addition to timing and logistics, your roadmap should reflect broader hiring goals. This might include local content requirements, Indigenous employment targets, gender balance, or graduate programs. These goals will influence your sourcing strategy and potentially lengthen lead times for certain roles.
Step 6: Visualise your mining project hiring plan
Once these pieces are in place, the roadmap should be made visual. Tools like Gantt charts or wave-based hiring diagrams make it easier to communicate hiring timelines, role volumes, and recruitment status across departments.
Step 7: Update regularly as project milestones shift
Finally, treat the roadmap as a working document. Project schedules change. Budgets move. Mobilisation timelines shift. Keep it updated through regular coordination between HR, operations, and project controls, and track recruitment progress just like you would any other part of the project.
Hiring roadmap tips for HRBPs on mining projects
Start by mapping roles to project stages. Each phase requires different skills, so role timing is important. Then work backwards from mobilisation to factor in sourcing lead times and onboarding. If you’re at the greenfields stage, check out this piece we wrote on the topic: Does RPO work for greenfields mining projects?
Don’t forget the ripple effects like internal promotions that create backfills that need planning. Community hires may require pre-employment support, and camp capacity can delay perfectly timed recruitment.
The roadmap also needs to reflect broader hiring objectives, including local content, Indigenous employment, or workforce diversity goals. These should be integrated early, not added in later under pressure.
If you’re working through deciding which recruitment model will work best for your business, read this article on: Mine expansion projects: RPO vs contingent recruitment.
Visual clarity matters. Use a format that helps operations, project controls, and site managers quickly understand the hiring wave, headcount, and current status. And remember: no roadmap is static. Schedules shift, site conditions change, and hiring needs evolve. Keep the roadmap live and aligned with the broader project.
Done well, your roadmap will become a risk management tool. And it will set you up for success for the entire project.
