The Queensland mine has been shut down for more than a month, since Glencore chose to not renew Thiess’ mine operating contract. It has had a significant impact on the local town.

Glencore told ILN almost a fortnight ago it would begin advertising positions in the local communities within weeks.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union Queensland district president Stephen Smyth commented about this on Friday.

“Glencore has suggested that it will begin a recruitment process in the coming weeks,” he said.

“Legally and morally the company has an obligation to give first preference of employment to its previous workforce. We’re confident that it will do the right thing by its workers and their families and ensure they are re-hired.

“The workers are willing to reapply for their jobs, despite the fact that legally they should be entitled their previous positions, in order to help progress the situation and reach a swift resolution.”

While there have been various meetings between union officials and Glencore management, the CFMEU was awaiting a response to its last offer “regarding recruitment” and the proposed enterprise agreement on Friday.

“The ball is in the company’s court at the moment,” Smyth said.

“We are hopeful the company will come to the table and a reasonable deal will be able to be worked out in the very near future.”

Smyth has previously told ILN the company aimed to de-unionise the town and to start re-employing miners on less conditions and job entitlements.

He said there were plenty of legal options to fight it, especially under the transmission of business provisions of the Fair Work Act.

Glencore has previously said restarting operations was dependent on finalising a new EA.

Its salary proposal is based on a seven-day roster and expected to be in the range of $1900-5370 higher per annum than the previous EA. This is before superannuation, with the super offer expected to be $410-1240pa higher.

Glencore said it had started discussions with the CFMEU over a new collective Collinsville agreement in February with the union walking out of the negotiations in May.

“We have no preference on either a collective agreement or individual contracts, both of which are in place at our other Queensland operations,” the spokesman previously said.