BMA mines ignoring Qld locals: union A mining giant is refusing to hire local workers for its two new central Queensland coal mines, a union claims. BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) announced earlier this year that 1000 fly-in, fly-out workers from Cairns and Brisbane would be recruited for the Bowen Basin mines. More than 30,000 jobseekers applied for the jobs being offered in Cairns. Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union president Tony Maher says BMA is undermining regional communities by excluding local workers. "They are out spruiking the virtues of recruiting from capital cities while ignoring Bowen Basin locals," he said. Mr Maher claimed residents would face higher costs because of the mining boom but would not get the job benefits. A BMA spokeswoman said the company, which owns other mines in the region, was the largest employer of local workers in the Bowen Basin. She said workers were sourced from outside the region to ensure the benefits of mining were shared with other Queensland regions.