This particular posting was first put up on this blog in February 2008.  Since then it has attracted a great number of readers and a fair share of insightful, sad, and pointed comments.  I urge you to read it, read the comments, and then read an update that I wrote and posted on the topic in late August 2008.  I could never have written the August 2008 posting if I had not learnt from those who commented on the original piece, presented unedited below. 

This cry comes from Australia, but the issue is relevant the world over in all areas of employment and particularly in mining. 

Every magazine is filled with profound articles decrying the shortage of workers in the mining industry.  There are innumerable conference presentations on the same topic.   There are even government-sponsored organizations making comfortable livings out of tallying the statistics and documenting suggestions about moving laid-off auto workers and forestry fellows into mining.   

I have long suspected that the issue of a shortage of workers in mining is as much a fashion as any aspect of journalism:  a topic written to death because it is ready at hand and easy to opine about.  But does this plethora of print & opinion truly reflect a dearth of workers? 

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