"ORI have some gun operators and plant managers at the site level but from my perspective they have seemed to ignore their decent guys and promote guys that get by on being the boss's mate to middle management"
You've nailed the crux of the issue 71c4.
ORI certainty does have very safe, knowledgeable and dedicated plant operators however, since Ian Smith came aboard these guys have been treated with outright contempt and derision - to the detriment of the company.
Parachuting in management and supervisors where none had previously existed nor was needed was the modus operandi of the regime. That the bulk of these middle managers (and higher) had a style that was remarkably similar to the CEO confirms your astute observation.. I witnessed and experienced the Ian Smith culture first hand, and let me say the issues surrounding his sudden departure did not surprise me. I was far far down the food chain although I can assure you the CEO sets the culture (good or bad) and it grows exponentially as it gets transmitted down.
The current ORI SP is not only a function of a mining downturn or import pressure but of employee moral at the coalface (I had to use it!).
The damage done to an outstanding employee base, and hence the company...ergo the SP will take a very long time to repair. Hopefully Alberto will be his own man and not drink the Kool Aid that he will no doubt be offered by those remnants of the regime.
(20min delay)