Mining boss doesn't want workers leaving for coffee, instead wants to 'hold staff captive'

The boss of an Australian mining company has said he wants to "hold staff captive" and doesn't want his workers leaving the firm's head office for any reason, including to buy a cup of coffee.

Managing Director of Mineral Resources Chris Ellison made the comment during a financial results presentation on Wednesday.

Mineral Resources head office in Perth has a restaurant, cafe, nine psychologists, a gym and other facilities to ensure staff never have to leave the building.

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"I don't want them leaving the building," he said.

"We have a lot of different benefits that we have brought on.

"Why have I done that? Because when I get them first thing in the morning, I want to hold them captive all day long. I don't want them leaving the building.

"I don't want them walking down the road for a cup of coffee. We kind of figured out a few years ago how much that costs."

The mining company has a strict no-work-from-home policy, with Ellison saying the rest of the industry needs to "get on board."

"The industry cannot afford it. We can't have people working three days a week and picking up five-days-a-week pay or four days."

His policy also extends to family care, with a daycare centre opening soon, big enough for 106 kids on site so parents can "drop their little tykes off next door" and "come in and enjoy work."

It will cost parents $20 a day.

He said there are doctors and nurses on site to look after their children should they fall ill, but "mum and dad will be working in our office".