The job of monitoring and managing the mining contractor...

The job of monitoring and managing the mining contractor performance generally falls to the site bikemad. The site General Manager needs to be able to play hardball with the mining contractor when the need arises. Too often the contractor ends up running roughshod over the client and essentially "running the show", so the choice of correct site personnel is important.

The corporate office will recieve the daily reports, but in reality there is little they can influence on a daily basis beyond querying the daily numbers.

Yes the McMahon's ramp-up seemed a bit of a cluster. You have to wonder if both parties were a bit naive and whether SBM were fed a good story from McMahons about their state of readiness and ability to mobilise quickly.