The company closed the commercial operations following a restructure earlier this month but at its annual general meeting, managing director Rex Comb said it would still struggle to find skilled people for its expanding mining operations division.

“Mining operations are expanding and the key challenge which we and other operators face is the availability of suitably qualified tradespeople to service these remote sites,” Comb said.

“We are actively seeking to relocate impacted staff to the Bowen Basin and the Hunter Valley where we have staff shortages.”

Comb said while its industrial clients in the steel and aluminium sector were experiencing difficult times, the mining sector remained strong, which would be a challenge for the company.

2011 proved to be a disappointing financial year for T&C, with revenues throughout the year decreasing 4%, or $12 million to land at $321 million.

Comb said the continued impacts of the GFC, the Queensland floods and delays in mining-related expenditures had all been contributing factors to the drop of revenue.

“These revenues were 20% below the pre-GFC levels of 2009,” he said.

“The markets in which we operate were two-paced, with mining and related sectors recovering from the GFC.”

Comb said the year ahead would come with a degree of uncertainty for the company as it restructured and transitioned the exit from commercial construction.

Despite the negative outlook, Comb said it was well positioned for continued growth and improved performance.

“The continued growth in the mining-related sectors for maintenance and [mining infrastructure area] construction will place Thomas & Coffey with a more balanced risk profile and return the company to profitability and deliver shareholder growth,” Comb said.