The Century Mining Alliance began in July 2004 between then-joint venture partner HWE and Century Mine’s owner Zinifex. Downer EDI Mining later took over from HWE in the arrangement.
The company’s work included maintenance to mobile mining equipment at the mine and delivering ore for processing.
Yesterday mine management and Downer announced they had mutually agreed to dissolve the alliance between July 1 and June 30 next year, allowing Zinifex to become the mine’s owner-operator.
Mine general manager John Lamb said Zinifex intended to offer jobs to all Downer employees.
“They will be transferred across to Zinifex over this 12-month period and will become Zinifex employees,” Mr Lamb said.
“It is expected that some will choose to continue with Downer.”
He said job losses weren’t expected and very few positions would be duplicated in the transition process.
Since the alliance was formed, the Gulf mine has grown to produce around one million tonnes of zinc and lead concentrates each year and become the country’s biggest zinc mine.
Meanwhile, Zinifex’s chief financial officer Tony Barnes will retire following the company’s merger with Oxiana. Mr Barnes will step down sometime this year.
Chief executive officer Andrew Michelmore said Mr Barnes had made a “tremendous contribution to the company in playing a lead role, both in guiding it through the challenges of administration and importantly transforming the company to where it is now with an exciting future in front of it”.
Mr Barnes intends to continue to be involved in the business world through non-executive directorships.