Content warning- This article discusses the topic of suicide.
It once was once said that Australia’s wealth rode on the sheep’s back, however over the past several decades, Australia’s wealth has been significantly derived from the mining and resources sectors (equating to 12% of gross domestic product, and 62% of Australia’s total export revenue).
For those who have worked or visited a remote mining camp the landscape can be quite surreal. The mining camp I was at in remote Western Australia seemed to almost rise out of the ground as we approached. Camp quarters arranged in almost mathematical precision, grided for hundreds of metres in each direction.
Most staff onsite on mining sites are male and predominantly employed in either mining or construction. These occupations specifically were the focus of a study reporting on male suicide in the Australian mining industry. International studies have shown that miners are at greater risk of suicide than other sector workers.
Suicide in the Mining Industry
Researchers from Deakin University in Melbourne wanted to examine male suicide rates within the mining industry and to understand if Australia reported similar findings to what is being seen internationally.
The research was conducted by examining data from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) database which is a repository holding ‘mortality-specific information on deaths reported to coroners in Australia and New Zealand’. The years of death the researchers focused on were between 2001-2019.
Suicide in the Mining Industry Research Results
Between the years 2001-2019 –
- 287 male workers employed within the mining industry died by suicide
- 3,819 construction workers (excluding mining) died by suicide
- Combining mining and construction equalled 4,106 deaths by suicide. This corresponded to 11,069 deaths by suicide in all other industries (not including mining and construction)
- The incident rates for suicide among construction workers remained largely unchanged but increased for miners
Suicide in the Mining Industry Considerations
The data the researchers accessed from the NCIS, ‘suggested that while the rate for all other groups of male workers (construction workers, mining and construction workers together, all other workers) was declining, the rate among mining workers is increasing’
The researchers considered ‘some unique factors that may increase suicide risk among mining workers”. These included-
- Social isolation when on-site
- Psychosocial job stressors including low job control and high job demands
- The higher risk of occupational injury on-site
Expert Opinion: Max Loomes, Psychologist and Mental Health Researcher.
- Mining companies must be aware of psychosocial hazards/risk factors as part of their WHS obligations to workers (especially ‘remote and isolated work’)
- Be aware of your mental health. If you notice changes in your eating, sleeping, mood, or even how much you want to do activities or see others, seek help from a trained professional
- If you are doing FIFO, try to book activities that you enjoy/make you feel productive when you return
- Talk with your colleagues and share your experiences, emotions, and interests
