Bamboo – Diverse, Flexible and Resilient. Founded in 2019 at Newman Operations, the ‘Bamboo’ Flexible work program is a residential gender diversity initiative that supports the attraction and retention of women in non-traditional roles. Recruiting from the Newman township and targeting an 80 per cent female workforce, the Bamboo program creates an opportunity for both new-to-industry and existing workers to have flexible work options while actively maintaining a career in mining production, specifically Haul Truck operations.  

The Bamboo program offers reduced working hours, shifting from a 12.5-hour traditional mining shift to a 7-hour one on an even time roster. Importantly, Bamboo employees are also entitled to company housing. This flexibility provides a means of employment that is typically unseen in Haul Truck operations. Those going on parental leave can do so in full confidence that there is flexible work option available upon their return, which allows them to be home for school drop-off or pick-up, combatting the challenges of rural childcare. Ultimately, the Bamboo program means that women can be the primary carer while maintaining their careers.  

Newman Operations has experienced increases in female workforce participation, from 26.5 per cent in FY21 to 34.7 per cent in FY24, and the Bamboo initiative contributes to diversity by providing entry-level pathways for women in mining and fostering a supportive work environment. The program's success is demonstrated by an 85 per cent female participation rate and a 25 per cent Indigenous Employee participation rate within the Bamboo team. Notably, the 15 per cent of male participants include those who are primary carers to their children while their partners pursue full-time careers with BHP or are semi-retired. Newman Operations aims to keep showing even higher participation rates. 

In addition, the Bamboo program has also led to reduced shift-change delays or meal-break delays, uplifting productivity while increasing equipment utilisation hours and productive movement. For example, 1,300 hours have been contributed towards improved truck utilisation. Bamboo members strategically commence work 30-minutes before normal shift-start times or during hot seating hours, thus operating equipment that would be ‘parked-up’ for the end-of-shift and reducing shift-change delays. As a result, there has been a 6 per cent uplift in productivity over the past 12 months. For these reasons and more, BHP’s Bamboo Flexible Work Program is a finalist in the 2024 Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) Women in Resources Awards (WIRA). 

Our Bamboo program has the potential to be applied to work environments with a residential workforce, whether this be rural towns or capital cities, subject to operational requirements. The Bamboo program has already been adapted within Newman Operations with processing production, offering entry-level opportunities on Monday to Friday flexible work hours. Leaders assessing the adoption of a flexible work program may consider factors such as tasks for which flexible workers could take ownership, whether there are natural breaks in shifts, or whether shifts could be split.