Police investigating alleged sexual assault at BHP’s South Flank mine near Newman

WA Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault at one of BHP’s remote Pilbara mines. The woman was working at the South Flank mine near Newman where it is understood she rejected interest from male colleagues at the mining camp’s “wet mess”. Fellow workers claim the woman, aged in her 20s, was followed back to her accommodation at the camp — known as Mulla Mulla Village — where she was allegedly assaulted. The West has been told the incident happened late last year and the woman came forward earlier this year. The alleged perpetrator is expected to speak with the sex assault squad in coming days. Police Minister Paul Papalia said yesterday he understood sex assault squad detectives were investigating the incident. “This is a very disturbing report and not something I had been briefed on before now,” he said. “Women have the right to be safe at work and home.” BHP refused to comment on any “specific incident”. But a spokesman said the miner continued to strengthen its approach to sexual harassment and assault. He said measures included “stricter controls on alcohol consumption”. It is understood the woman’s colleagues were not told of the alleged rape but were informed at a pre-start meeting after the alleged incident that workers were dismissed for “misconduct at the wet mess”. BHP said it has had “Walk to Room Service” flyers — which promote a safe escort program for people scared of returning to their dongas — across its sites for the past year. The flyer states: “Residents and village staff can request to be accompanied to their rooms for different reasons. These include: If you feel uncomfortable.” Within months of the alleged incident, the miner introduced a four-drinks-per-day alcohol policy, which also banned workers living at camp sites from drinking after 9.30pm. BHP contacted the alleged victim on Friday, after being contacted by The West about the alleged incident. It’s understood other workers who have signed confidentiality agreements were also spoken to about their commitments after inquiries from The West. CFMEU’s Simon Stokes said the big miners were generally “pretty good” and had policies to create a fair and supportive workplace. “But when it comes to contractors ... you can’t maintain that down the line. That’s where the big companies need to work harder,” he said.