Known as Mind Matters, the team includes seven highly qualified clinicians who work on a rotating 4:3 roster on site and in Perth, alongside two Perth-based clinicians. This ensures support is accessible to employees in remote locations as well as those based in the city.
The investment encourages open, honest conversations about mental health and enables employees to access professional support at the earliest opportunity.
Importantly, the service is provided free of charge for employees and their immediate family members.
A robust, best practice model
Now in its second year, Mind Matters is led by Head of Mental Health Chris Harris, who said MinRes' aim was to give mental health the same strategic priority as physical health.
“The purpose of introducing a mental health framework at MinRes was to guide positive mental health, mitigate illness, prevent harm and promote thriving,” Harris said.
“When these objectives are achieved, there’s a direct improvement in productivity, lower absenteeism, reduced staff turnover and an increased likelihood of being an employer of choice.”
Based on internationally recognised integrated mental health care systems, the MinRes approach is designed to reduce the stigma that often surrounds mental health.
“We focus on both prevention and recovery, building resilience and responding quickly to emerging psychosocial risks,” Harris said.
A key advantage of the in-house approach is its ability to overcome common limitations of external services, such as long wait times, service gaps and high cost.
In the 2025 financial year, 15% of the MinRes workforce or their family members accessed mental health support through the company’s own services.
“This ensures employees receive personalised, consistent care without the high costs and lengthy delays often associated with private counselling,” Harris said.
The Mind Matters team takes a community psychology approach, engaging with employees in a wide range of settings - from toolbox talks and pre‑start meetings to return‑to‑work discussions and casual crib‑room conversations.
They also work closely with on-site Health and Injury Prevention Advisors, Emergency Services Officers, medics and the broader Health and Safety teams.
Tailored services for a diverse workforce
Manager Mental Health Services Kelly Grey said the Mind Matters team is well placed to address the unique needs of the company’s diverse workforce, including the growing number of women in operational roles.
“We recognise women in the resources sector may face unique pressures, from gender isolation to balancing family and caregiving responsibilities, and our clinicians are trained in gender-sensitive care, ensuring women feel safe, heard and supported, whether they connect with us on site or via telehealth,” Grey said.
“Supporting women’s mental health is an essential part of our inclusion strategy, influencing how we design services, policies and workplace culture."
By empowering women to champion their own wellbeing, Grey said the benefits extend beyond the workplace, positively influencing families, relationship and communities.
Beyond Mind Matters
Mind Matters is complemented by an externally provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP), giving employees and their families the option to access confidential third-party support for a wide range of personal and work-related matters.
The EAP remains popular, with almost 400 employees or family members using the service in the 2025 financial year.
Additional initiatives, including regular mental health education, proactive awareness campaigns and on‑site Mental Health First Aiders, contribute to a workplace culture that is open, informed and supportive.
A holistic approach to wellbeing
Mind Matters is part of MinRes’ broader, industry‑leading commitment to employee wellbeing.
At the company’s Osborne Park head office, employees and their families enjoy access to premium facilities that support balanced lifestyles, including a state‑of‑the‑art gym, crèche, daycare, on‑site restaurant, café and a GP service offering accessible, expert care.
At remote mine sites, MinRes designs accommodation to function as vibrant communities rather than simple living quarters between shifts. Villages feature recreation centres, modern gyms, comfortable living spaces and areas for relaxation and social connection, enabling employees to feel at home even when working away.
The launch of Mungala Resort at the Onslow Iron project has also set a new benchmark for mine site accommodation.
Rooms are three times larger than standard, equipped with ensuites, laundries, premium bedding and high‑speed Wi‑Fi. Residents can also access resort‑quality amenities including a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, restaurants, lounges, landscaped gardens and a wellness centre offering mindfulness and fitness classes.
By combining dedicated mental health services such as Mind Matters with first‑class facilities and a workplace culture that values wellbeing, MinRes aims to ensure every employee has access to the support, tools and environment needed to thrive.
Learn more about MinRes' approach to workplace wellbeing.
