BHP Billiton has confirmed workers were told in ‘toolbox’ meetings this week up to 40 jobs are about to be shed.

The spokesperson added BHP Billiton is working to finalise the numbers by Friday.

She said no full-time employees will be impacted and the numbers will be labour-hire employees only.

It is understood the firm Chandler Macleod, which supplies managed contract workforces to the mining industry, is likely to bear the brunt of the cuts.

In November last year, BHP Billiton announced it would make 150 roles redundant by the end of February 2015 to reduce costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.

CFMEU Mining and Energy Northern District President, Peter Jordan, said mining crews were called to meetings just before shift change-over.

“There’s been an announcement made that BHP Billiton is considering ‘parking up’ some of its truck fleet.

“As a result contractor truck drivers will be impacted with the loss of up to 10 operators per crew,” Mr Jordan said.

Coincidentally, the CFMEU was scheduled to hold talks at the mine site on Thursday as part of the next round of negotiations for the Mt Arthur Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, which expired 18 months ago.

Peter Jordan said his members “understandably” reacted with concern after the meetings and he had received numerous phone calls from worried workers.