Price is always an important factor in FIFO contracts but a high level of safety is rightly demanded by the mining companies and the unions. The big names have deep pockets and would rather spend money on prevention instead of compensation. Being sued by the families of 100+ miners on $150 - 200 000 a year wouldn't be cheap.
Well if that is true why do they all fly around in 30-40 year old aircraft then if it's all about safety?? Why is everything always outsourced and not in mainline?? You can't argue that it is because it's safer to use a contractor. Nothing will come of this like nothing came of the overrun they had a while back because they're too cheap. It will all continue as it is so long as they don't have some sort of major accident or fatality.