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Supporting mining and industry in Queensland and the NTSupporting mining and industry in Queensland and the NT Experience the Break you Deserve!
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THIS EDITION
• Long-distance conveyors challenge rail
• Buy one, get one free - partners’ jobs recruitment offer
• Quartz - an NQ miner’s best friend
• Childcare squeeze in resource growth towns
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Driverless trucks Driverless trucks - mining’s future- mining’s future
1The Mining Advocate | March 2012 NEWS
All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced in part or in full by any means without written permission of the managing editor. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.
CONTACTS
p. (07) 4755 0336 f. (07) 4755 0338
Email: ...............................................................info@miningadvocate.com.au
Address: .........................................U3/11 Carlton St, Kirwan, Q, 4817
Postal: ...................................................... PO Box 945, Townsville, Q, 4810
March 2012
Managing editor: .........................Robert Dark m. 0417 623 156
Journalist: ..........................................................Jan Green m. 0418 740 336
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Advertising booking deadlineMay edition: April 17
FEATURES
10 Coal and Gas UpdateNews in brief across the coal and gas industries.
12 Industry Update - Hard RockA comprehensive wrap of exploration and operations in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
14 Between Shifts
19 Regional Engineering Teams
20 Ivanhoe Australia Feature
22 Building Mining Communities
24 Health in Mining
25 Emergency Response and Rescue
26 Mining Families
27 Wet Season
28 Drilling and Exploration
29 Materials Handling
30 Shutdowns
31 Living Remotely
32 Building NW Queensland
34 Heavy Machinery Review
COVER IMAGE: A driverless truck in action at the West Angelas mine in the Pilbara region. Photo: Christian Sprogoe
3 Two for oneMarried to the job takes a new meaning in Queensland’s booming gas industry heartlands, where an employment scheme is securing work for partners as an added weapon in the skills attraction and retention battle.
4 Rough landing Th e regional council covering the area around Alpha is calling for help to fund essential services and infrastructure, including a bigger airstrip, as it struggles in the face of massive mining growth.
6 Just for kicks Prospectors Mount Isa branch manager Russell Armstrong talks about his love of footy and all that goes with it as he gets ready to pull the boots on again for his 15th AFL Masters National Carnival.
7 Going the distance An inventor shares his vision of a conveyor system hundreds of kilometres long to outdo rail and road as a means of moving millions of tonnes of Queensland coal from mine to port.
9 Th e white stuff Solar Silicon Resources Group aims to tap the expanding market created by hi-tech applications such as solar panels, mobile phones and LCD screens with high-purity silica quartz being mined outside Mount Surprise, south-west of Cairns.
35 Fleets of the future Mining giant Rio Tinto and manufacturer Komatsu discuss the driverless trucks that are rolling out in the Pilbara, launching a new era in mining technology.
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2 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS' UNION:PUTTING MINERS SAFETY FIRST
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AND CONDITIONS AT WORK?
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS?
ONLY THE AWU - QUEENSLAND STRONGEST UNION - IS COMMITTEDTO PROTECTING MINERS' JOBS AND ENTITLEMENTS DURING
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BY STANDING TOGETHER AS A TEAM AWU MEMBERS CANENSURE THAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED
Authorised by Bill Ludwig, The Australian Workers' Union of Employees', Queensland.
Police beat a path to mining careersResource sector wages and opportunities
continue to draw experienced professionals
from other fi elds, writes Jan Green.
Highly skilled Queensland police and members of the Australian Defence Force are among those lining up to join the mining industry.
Broncos chief executive offi cer Paul White, a former police offi cer, entered mining after an approach by Xstrata management in Mount Isa.
“I was lucky that the police force gave me 12 months’ leave without pay so I could test the water. I did and I stayed,” he said.
“I worked in human resources, sustainable development and a variety of site-based project management roles.
“Th ere were plenty of benefi ts and I got to spend time in the regions I love – central and north-western Queensland. I also enjoyed working with the people.
“Th ere are great quality, down-to-earth people in mining.”
While Mr White enjoyed
starting up his Epoxy Floor Coatings Specialists business in Mackay.
He said he knew at least a dozen former Queensland Police Service (QPS) friends in the Mackay district alone who worked in the mining industry.
“Policemen are very, very good employees,” he said.
“Th ey make good decisions very quickly, are responsible, clean-cut and well presented
which is why they are being grabbed as quickly as the mining companies can get them.
“Not only that, police, defence and emergency services personnel are very risk-management oriented. Th at’s why they slot very well into the mining industry.
“Training a police offi cer is expensive and time consuming so this draining of police skills base, however minor, must be of concern to the force.”
Mr Mactaggart identifi ed high living costs and the lure of increased wages as major incentives for the police exodus to mining.
“Around $600 per week to rent a house in Mackay has a huge impact on people like police and nurses. But if they earn $120,000 a year at a mine, it’s aff ordable,” he said.
A QPS spokesperson said the
service was unable to provide
statistics on where members
sought employment once
they left the force, but said
that staffi ng was continually
monitored by regional
management to ensure policing
needs within the community
were met.
However, large billboards
posted on the Bruce Highway
north and south of Townsville
- authorised by Ian Leavers of
the Queensland Police Union
- proclaim “we need more feet
walking the beat”.
A Defence spokesperson said
that ADF exit survey results
indicated about 10–15 per cent
of personnel leaving the service
intended to secure employment
in the mining industry.Richard MactaggartFormer policeman
Paul WhiteBroncos chief executive offi cer
his stint in the industry, the
opportunity to take on the role of
Brisbane Broncos Rugby League
Club chief executive offi cer was
too tempting to refuse.
Richard Mactaggart was a
policeman for 20 years before
One of the billboards outside Townsville. Photo: Mike Shearer
3The Mining Advocate | March 2012 NEWS
LOCAL EXPERTS.LOADS OF EQUIPMENT.
Jobs drive keeps it in the familyA recruitment initiative in the heart of gas
country aims to build the workforce across
various industries and deliver lifestyle benefi ts.
Th e Western Downs Regional Council and about 37 companies have adopted a “jobs for partners” scheme, aimed at ensuring employment consistency across all sectors and security for families.
Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown said the region was home to a strong agricultural industry, in addition to the district’s huge coal seam gas industry and new power stations.
“When we look at employment we don’t want to rob Peter to pay Paul, so encouraging a workforce across all sectors, not draining any particular industries, and ensuring our service industries are well supported is essential,” Cr Brown said.
“Whether partners are male or female, we need to fi nd work for them. Th is will help keep families together, build the community and encourage employees to stay longer.
“I look after 23 towns and if we can create a lifestyle families want then those communities are the winners.”
Cr Brown pointed to Dalby-based construction and engineering company Ostwald Brothers as a business which recognised that keeping families together equated to keeping employees longer.
To this end, they actively encourage couples to join the company in a range of roles, according to chief executive offi cer Brendan Ostwald.
“As a family company, we foster family values and what better recommendation could there be than when employees encourage other family members to work for us,” he said.
“Many of our projects are located in the Surat and Bowen basins and we recruit heavily in these areas but we also need to recruit more widely because of the high demand for skilled workers.
“We are currently off ering about 140 positions across many areas of our operations and we fi nd it much easier to persuade families to move into regional areas if there are job opportunities for more than one family member.”
Already about 10 per cent of the Ostwald workforce consists of people with other family members working for the company.
“For example, one couple moved from Brisbane to Dalby last year after fi nding work at Ostwald Brothers - one as a payroll manager and the other as a vehicle allocator,” Mr Ostwald said.
“Th ey saw the advertisement
for a Dalby-based job with
Ostwald Bros and did some
research on the company. Th ey
liked the idea that it was a family
company, big enough to off er a
range of job opportunities.
“When they drove out to have
a look at Dalby, they liked the
look of the town, and decided to
give it a go.
“Now they are really happy
with their work and the area.
“Another example is a couple
who joined Ostwald Brothers
when they moved back to
Queensland after a stint working
in Western Australia.
“One had previously worked
for us as an engineer and her
husband joined the company
soon after.
“She is now working as a
project manager and has a four-
month-old. Th ey say working
together in the same company
gives them fl exibility as a family.”
Ray BrownWestern Downs Mayor
“Th e project is well advanced and everyone involved is very excited about it because we urgently need to get bricks and mortar on the ground.
“It’s taken about three years to formulate the strategy and make sure it will deliver aff ordable housing to our communities, not the mining sector.
“We realised quite early the issue needed to be addressed. Th e State Government wasn’t doing anything and our substantial Western Downs agricultural industry was at stake.
“People were saying it was too dear to live here and the result was that the crops weren’t being harvested.”
Cr Brown said the aff ordable housing problem also applied to the service and business sectors.
“Th ere was no template to deal with
this so we had to design it all ourselves. And because we aren’t aware of this happening elsewhere, we are happy to share our strategy to make sure all regional and rural Australia in the resource regions is looked after,” he said.
“Th e Western Downs Regional Council itself leads by example in providing 62 aff ordable homes for non-mining sector workers. But we have a huge challenge ahead, particularly when you consider my responsibility is to keep 99 small communities and 23 towns - the heart and soul of our existence – intact and also deal with what’s ahead.”
Cr Brown said coming up with an exact fi gure on how many aff ordable houses were needed in his region was diffi cult. But it was many thousands in total.
“Th e Co-ordinator General has
stipulated how many must be built - for
example, some towns may need 180 and
another 240 houses.
“Regardless of the fi gure, they will all
be built through our aff ordable housing
strategy to off set the cumulative eff ect of
unaff ordable housing that’s hurting our
communities.”
Th e Western Downs Regional Council is driving an innovative scheme to deliver aff ordable housing to local communities. Mayor Ray Brown believes the strategy they have developed is the only one of its kind in Australia.
Th e Queensland Co-ordinator General and companies including Origin, Queensland Gas Corporation, Santos, Arrow and Xstrata have also been involved in implementing the scheme to provide aff ordable housing across the region for non-mining and community service personnel.
“For the mining companies to do business in Queensland, they must address both the environmental and social impacts of their being here, and aff ordable housing is just one of them,” Cr Brown said.
Joint eff ort to boost aff ordable housing stocks
4 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
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Alpha seeks help for lift-off The need for a new airstrip and basic town
services is among the challenges facing this
up-and-coming coal hub, writes Jan Green.
Th e tiny Galilee Basin town of Alpha, population around 400, has massive coal reserves on its doorstep but nowhere near enough infrastructure or community services to support what is fast becoming a hotbed of mining activity.
Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor Rob Chandler said he was among a number of mayors in the Surat, Bowen and Galilee basins battling to cope with Queensland’s massive mining and gas growth.
Th e Alpha airstrip is a prime focus for Cr Chandler and he has approached the region’s three major coal proponents - AMCI Bandanna, Waratah and GVK Hancock - to contribute to the upgrade of the town’s 1400m by 30m runway.
“Th e present strip can cope with small aircraft but not 100-seaters, so a complete upgrade is essential,” Cr Chandler said.
“I believe we need a 2300m
by 45m airstrip to cater for 100-
seat aircraft and all associated
infrastructure such as airport
buildings and parking areas.
“We would like to retain
ownership – that would be one way council can draw income from it – but so far only one mining company has pledged some money, subject to approvals.”
He estimated the upgrade could cost $25-$30 million.
“Th e main runway, which I’d like to see completed by October, is the priority – so we can get the aircraft in – and the associated infrastructure can come later,” Cr Chandler said. “A regulated air service from Alpha to Brisbane would also benefi t people who live in Barcaldine, Blackall and Aramac who frequently can’t fl y out because of limited fl ight capacity.”
Cr Chandler’s other major focus is the extension of basic services such as power and water to the communities of Alpha and Jericho.
He is adamant that mining company support is vital, given what he sees as State Government neglect and an annual council rates income of only $5 million.
“We also urgently need to attract a doctor, more kids to the school, more police, paramedics
and fi re and rescue services,” he
said. “Th e main benefi ciaries from
mining are going to be the mining
companies themselves and the
State and Federal governments.
“But, the governments
particularly are treating us and
other small regional councils
like Isaac, Banana and Central
Highlands with disdain.Th eir
attitude seems to be that the
proponents will build the
infrastructure and they’ll just sit
back and reap the royalties.
“But the royalties coming out
of Surat, Bowen and, potentially,
the Galilee basins are being
sucked into the south of the state
and not coming back to us. I’m
also aware that in contrast to the
Queensland Government, the
Victorian Government helps with
a town planning fl ying squad
when it’s beyond the reach of
small councils.
“We’ve pleaded with State
Government planning people to
live in the community and assist
us because we haven’t got the
expertise to handle the complexity
of massive companies planning to
spend $26 thousand million on
projects and construction. But to
no avail.”
Rob ChandlerBarcaldine Regional Council Mayor
The small town of Alpha in the resource-rich Galilee Basin.
5The Mining Advocate | March 2012 NEWS
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Childcare crunch on the coalfi eldsHigh living costs are making it hard to staff
some much-needed services in Queensland’s
resource industry hot spots, writes Jan Green.
Th e recent threat of a Moranbah childcare centre closing has been averted.
However drastic staff shortages have left 150 children on the waiting list, prompting concerns some working parents may pushed out of the district.
Isaac Mayor Cedric Marshall said closure of the facility would have impacted dramatically on the mining town.
It is one of two local childcare centres, in addition to the town’s kindergarten.
“To ensure the centre remained open, in a group eff ort with BMA and Anglo American, council purchased the facility in November last year and renamed it,” Cr Marshall said.
However, the revamped Moranbah Early Learning Centre, now under the management of Total Childcare Solutions, can only operate at
45 per cent capacity because childcare staff can’t aff ord to live in the coal mining hub, according to an executive.
“Unless the mining companies in the aff ected areas come up with a solution to house childcare workers and other essential services, the mothers will leave Moranbah and, in my experience, their husbands will follow shortly after,” Total Childcare Solutions managing director John Wall said.
A BMA spokesperson said that organisation alone had invested more than $650,000 on childcare projects in Moranbah and $2 million for upgrades on Dysart and Blackwater childcare centres.
“In addition, BMA supports the childcare centres in Moranbah through providing accommodation for three childcare providers, including Moranbah Early Learning
Centre,” the spokesperson said.“Th e company will continue
to work closely with local government and other key stakeholders.”
Mr Wall called on Anglo American and BMA to set up a steering committee to come up with a solution before more childcare staff were lost to the Moranbah housing crisis.
Queensland Mining Communities president Kelly Vea Vea described the problems facing childcare in Queensland’s resource growth regions as yet another casualty of governments teaming up with mining companies to deliver record profi ts and royalties without delivering sustainable services and communities in return.
“Councils are increasingly…being left to hold the baby on childcare, despite not being funded to do so,” she said.
“Small business and essential services are bleeding workers to the mining industry, which seems to operate without concern for the impact they are having on
communities as a whole or even
bothering to develop a plan to
support their surrounding regions
as a whole.”
In a bid to ease pressure
on childcare services in the
Gladstone region, the Rio Tinto
Alcan Community Fund and the
local childcare sector have joined
forces in a $1.2 million initiative
to encourage residents to make
their homes available as family
day care centres.
“We believe it is essential that
we continue to play our part in
addressing critical community
issues,” community fund
chairman Armando Torres said.
Three-year-old Jaxon tries out some of the new play gear at the Moranbah
Early Learning Centre. Photo: Kate Redmond
6 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
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Masters a blast for Isa veteran With fi shing, drinking and mates, the on-fi eld
action is just part of the football fun for this
long-time competitor, writes Jan Green.
Prospectors Mount Isa branch manager Russell Armstrong is looking forward to participating in his 15th AFL Masters National Carnival in Townsville in October.
Inducted into the AFL Masters Hall of Fame in 2009, the veteran footballer estimates he has played about 300 masters games for a few diff erent clubs since 1995. He has competed in all but three national masters carnivals.
Russell will be 62 when he plays for New South Wales – as he always has - in the 2012 event.
But such is the spirit of the game that if NSW is over represented he could well end up playing for another state.
Russell could almost be considered a junior compared to many masters enthusiasts.
“We have a number of very fi t players in their mid-60s to mid-70s and, because so many ‘oldies’ have been playing for so long,
it has been necessary to create fi ve categories of competition to cater to the wide range of ages,” he said.
Some trained seriously, while others regarded playing more as a bit of fun, Russell said. He places himself in the latter group.
“Before coming to Mount Isa, I played at least once a fortnight but I haven’t even had a kick here,” he said.
“Th ere are plenty of young teams about but none for old fellows. Because I’m so busy with my work for Prospectors in mining and explorations supplies, I couldn’t be as involved as I was previously, even if I wanted to be.
“But, since I’m playing in the age group where I don’t have to run my legs off , it’s not really a problem. I usually play at fullback and I tell the opposition forward: ‘If you want to run mate, go ahead. I’ll see you when you get back!’
“In addition to the national
carnival games, there’s touring,
drinking and fi shing (and more
drinking) to be done - making
the social aspect as important as
the sport. It’s a great opportunity
to make friends from all over
Australia and, because it’s
essentially ‘old fellas footy-for-
fun’, you get to enjoy a bit of a
kick, a mark and a run around.
“In my younger days, I played
as a tough back man and ironed
the occasional bloke out. But
as you get older, you don’t hurt
anyone – you go for the ball, not
the person – and it doesn’t matter
if your opponent gets a kick.
“Th ere are no sheep stations
riding on the outcome. It’s just
great fun.”
AFL masters enthusiast Russell Armstrong with his footy memorabilia. Photo: Roslyn Budd
7The Mining Advocate | March 2012 NEWS
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REMEMBERING the past • Supporting the future
Rail’s new long-distance rival A proposal for a vast conveyor system that
could carry millions of tonnes of coal from
Alpha to Abbot Point is making headway.
Replacing rail and road transport with long-distance conveyors hundreds of kilometres long will revolutionise the way gross tonnage of all kinds is moved around the country, according to Capella inventor and mechanical consultant Les Dunn.
Mr Dunn has been working on this world-fi rst possibility for more than 20 years and is confi dent his concept is on the verge of implementation.
He was voted a winner on an episode of ABC TV’s Th e New Inventors last year for the safety idlers used in his long-distance conveyor model.
He described these as simple, practical, cost eff ective, environmentally friendly and extremely versatile in terms of the terrain the system can cover and ease of construction.
Mr Dunn said the longest existing bulk carrying conveyor was a 100km long structure built to carry phosphate in Africa.
But it’s nowhere near as sophisticated as Mr Dunn’s modular system of a single conveyor - either 467km or
530km long - designed to carry up to 270 million tonnes a year from Alpha in the Galilee Basin to Abbot Point, outside Bowen.
“I’ve been talking to some of the major mining companies about it and they are very, very receptive to the idea,” he said.
“I understand the outlay for rolling stock and infrastructure to transport coal from Alpha to Abbot Point by train could, at peak production, be $16-$17 billion for a maximum 120 million tonnes per year.
“In comparison, my modular aerial-mounted conveyor system would cost around $6.4 billion and, unlike train infrastructure, it has an environmentally green footprint.”
Th e benefi ts would not be limited to the resources industry, Mr Dunn said.
“Farmers and graziers wouldn’t lose cropping and grazing land, they would get the benefi t of water at certain points and the conveyor’s power generation,” he said. “Plus emergency services could use the purpose-built maintenance gallery travellators
- vehicles which run inside the
module.
“In addition, the system’s
height makes vandalism diffi cult
and, unlike rail tracks, conveyors
aren’t aff ected by fl ooding.
“Single piers support the
conveyor belts - which are
capable of straddling most
creeks – in contrast to multiple
piers and massive infrastructure
required for a rail system to
carry 30,000 tonnes of train and
coal.
“Th e added beauty of my
conveyor system is it can be run
through towns, is aesthetically
pleasing, silent, fully covered
and dust proof and delivers the
product at only a fraction of the cost of road or rail transport.”
Th e conveyor system has also been designed to be solar powered and feed excess electricity back into the national grid.
“It could also power entire mine sites, minimise carbon footprints, substantially reduce the amount of trucking needed on site, and carry more than one company’s product by staggering coal or goods along the belt,” Mr Dunn said.
“At the port, coal can be stockpiled for ship loading or transferred directly on to ships,
thus reducing the amount of
infrastructure required at both
ends of the port route.”
Mr Dunn said his simple
concept had not been
implemented previously because
the propriety drive units to pull
the conveyor along had not been
invented.
“However, I’ve developed a
drive head to do that and, while
I’m still doing some research and
development on it, I believe it’s
just about ready to go.
“All being well, the system
could be operating in about
18 months.”
Les DunnInventor and mechanical consultant
The conveyor structure to be fi tted to the long overland conveyor modules.
8 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
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Cutbacks at Kagara The strong dollar and a decline in commodity
prices have been blamed as an Australian
miner is pushed into a major restructure.
Kagara is mothballing several North Queensland base metal operations and shedding 130 jobs following a fi nancial blow in the last half of 2011.
Th e company reported a net loss after tax of $48.9 million in the six months to December 31 in a delayed report to the fi nancial market.
It announced a signifi cant restructure of its North Queensland operations as a result.
Kagara plans to refocus its activity around zinc and copper production from the Balcooma underground operation and Baal Gammon open-pit operation in the central Mount Garnet region, with ore processed through the Mount Garnet treatment facility.
Th e company said it would suspend development of the West 45 underground mine at Th alanga, in the Charters Towers region, until a sustained
improvement in zinc prices was evident. It also plans to place the Th alanga processing operation into care and maintenance once economic stockpiles are processed towards the end of March.
Th e company had previously announced a temporary suspension of mining activities at the Mungana underground mine, in the Chillagoe region, and it has now placed that operation on care and maintenance as well.
Th e cutbacks are expected to result in about 130 redundancies from Kagara’s permanent workforce across its North Queensland operations and Perth corporate headquarters - taking the overall workforce to about 350 including contractors.
“As a key player in the resource sector in North Queensland, the company deeply regrets the impact of these measures on its workforce,” managing director
Geoff Day said in a statement.“Meetings are being held
by senior management representatives across the business and a recruitment consultant has been engaged to assist people impacted by these regrettable but necessary decisions to restructure the business.”
Th e survival plan announced in early March has seen Kagara postpone components of its fi ve-year growth plan announced last September, which included a
major boost to exploration eff orts in North Queensland.
Th e company said the continuing strength of the Australian dollar and a signifi cant decline in commodity prices had a signifi cant impact on revenue in recent months.
“Th e company is confi dent that, by focusing on its core central region operations, it will be in a strong position to weather the current downturn and be well placed to achieve
its growth plans as conditions
improve,” Mr Day said. “Th e
mid to longer-term outlook for
zinc and copper prices is widely
viewed as robust, especially
in response to the closure of
many major zinc mines over the
coming few years.”
Kagara also recently
announced that it had reached
an agreement to sell its Lounge
Lizard nickel mine in Western
Australia for $68 million to
Western Areas.
Kagara’s Mungana polymetallic mine has been placed on care and maintenance. Photo: Robert Garvey
9The Mining Advocate | March 2012 NEWS
Reserve Training & Safety (RTS) Townsville has relocated, the new facility improves thecapability for RTS to deliver high risk occupations in conjunction with its current coursesincluding Standard 11, QMS, G2, Confined Space, Working at Heights. RTS specialises intailoring and delivering quality training to ensure specific outcomes for organisations.
RTS incorporates safety consulting as a part of its service utilising personnel with broadindustry experience to assist in achieving a safe work environment for its clients.
Additional services include the provision of onsite training and / or site placement, shortor long term, of trainers.
As a provider of nationally accredited and non-accredited training across varied industrysectors RTS forms part of the Reserve Group along with:
Reserve Support Services specialises in supplying skilled personnel to fill short or longterm positions in the mining sector.
Reserve Projects provides management services for small upgrade and large maintenanceprojects. Its strength is to engage the right people into a project team providing qualityoutcomes on time and on budget.
Call in and see the team at 1 Jay Street, Bohle or contact them on 4774 5535. You can visitwww.reservegroup.com.au for training schedules and additional contact information.
Th ar she blows, a white wonderA company producing high-purity lump quartz
in North Queensland has reached a milestone,
with key furnace tests under way in Asia.
A new North Queensland mine is poised to tap the expanding market created by hi-tech applications such as solar panels, mobile phones and LCD screens.
Solar Silicon Resources Group is producing commercial quantities of silica quartz from the Lighthouse mine near Mount Surprise, 250km south-west of Cairns.
Commercial operations manager Andrew Hamilton said the company shipped 2000 tonnes of lump quartz from Townsville in December for a major furnace test at a Chinese silicon smelter.
“Once completed company expectations are that it will result in annual sales of more than 100,000 tonnes of lump silica quartz,” he said.
Th e Lighthouse operation is centred on two striking white mountains - or blows - of high-purity silica quartz.
On-site processing involves excavation, wet screening and sizing of material. However the company is expanding production and processing capability.
The two white blows at the heart of the silica quartz operation outside Mount Surprise in North Queensland.
“To reach the high-purity sand market, that’s where you need a lot of processing – that’s a huge focus for this company,” Mr Hamilton said.
“We have a research and
development team, including industrial chemists, located at our Melbourne laboratory and test facility. Th ey are developing new processes for high-quality quartz product lines and are
High-purity lump quartz is an essential ingredient in the production of silicon metal - which is then used to produce solar panels and semi-conductors.
High-purity quartz sand is in demand for a range of hi-tech applications including solar crucibles, LCD screens, and halogen and mercury lamps.
being assisted by the company
sales team, who are targeting
diff erent segments of the solar
and semiconductor markets.”
Th e visible and known
1.83 million-tonne deposit at
Lighthouse has a purity level
greater than 99.98 per cent and
Solar Silicon Resources Group
estimates there is a further
4-6 million tonnes within that
structure.
Parent company, Auzminerals
Resource Group, holds
exploration rights extending over
15,000sq km in the region as
well as a silica sands project at
Mourilyan, near Innisfail.
Mr Hamilton said the Solar
Silicon Resources Group was
well positioned to become the
largest supplier of high-purity
silica quartz in the world.
Th e company is fi nalising a
$US1.4billion listing on the
Singapore Stock Exchange.
Quartz miner Solar Silicon Resources Group says it dumped a proposal for a $150 million silicon smelter and processing plant in the Cairns area after failing to attract government support.
Commercial operations manager Andrew Hamilton said the plant would have generated 1700 jobs, including in construction.
However, representations at State and Federal levels did
not draw the expected level of interest, he said.
Th e company had been seeking assistance to limit the bureaucratic delays likely from dealing with regulations at the diff erent levels of government, Mr Hamilton said.
Solar Silicon Resources Group has turned its attention off shore, where authorities have off ered tax breaks and heavily discounted industrial land.
It plans a $25 million
crucible sand processing
plant near Shanghai and a
$100 million processing plant
in Singapore.
Federal Resources and
Energy Minister Martin
Ferguson said the government
supported investment in
Australia and had procedures
in place to facilitate the
market delivery of such major
projects.
Cairns smelter plan ditched
10 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateINDUSTRY UPDATE COAL AND GAS
government as we continue the detailed
project assessment, planning and
evaluation required prior to any decision
to proceed.”
Caval Ridge work awarded
Th iess has won a $180 million contract
with BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance
(BMA) for civil
earthworks to
develop the Caval
Ridge mine
project, south-east
of Moranbah in
central Queensland.
BMA’s Caval
Ridge open-
cut coal mine is
expected to produce
up to 5.5mtpa
and process an
additional 2.5mtpa from BMA’s
adjacent Peak Downs mine.
Th e Th iess contract includes the
construction of heavy haul roads, the
early works for product stockpile and
conveyor area, drainage infrastructure
and creek diversions, and the handling
of nearly seven million cubic metres of
material
Industrea stays on at Baralaba
Industrea Mining Services has
announced the continuation of its whole
of mine contract for Cockatoo Coal’s
Baralaba South mine in the Bowen Basin.
Industrea Mining Services expects
revenue of about $76 million from the
contract through to December 2013.
Th e contracted works include the
provision of drill and blast services
together with construction of the
recently completed 1:1000 fl ood levee
wall extension.
Bow now Arrow’s business
Th e Bow Energy business has been
integrated into Arrow after the 100 per
cent acquisition was fi nalised in January.
Arrow Energy chief executive offi cer
Andrew Faulkner said the acquisition
allowed Arrow the potential to expand
the liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) train
size at its planned facilities on Curtis
Island. Bow employees had received the
opportunity to join Arrow, he said.
Big year for QME
Organisers say strong growth in the
central Queensland mining sector
is setting the stage for Mackay’s
Queensland Mining and Engineering
(QME) exhibition in July to be bigger
and better than previous events.
QME 2012 will be held at the Mackay
Showground from July 24-26, with
related events to be based at the Mackay
Entertainment and Convention Centre.
Reed Mining Events director Paul Baker
said more than 90 per cent of show space
had been allocated by late February.
He said Reed Mining Events would
be announcing a number of related
initiatives designed to attract additional
visitors in 2012, such as a recruitment
element aimed at people looking to
careers in the mining industry.
Winning resource women
A Brisbane woman whose global
role takes her from Mozambique to
Namibia, the USA and back again has
won this year’s Queensland Resources
Council Resources Award for Women.
Fiona Nicholls, vice-president – external
relations for Rio Tinto Energy, is the
only female member of Rio Tinto Coal
Australia’s executive committee and
one of three women on Rio Tinto’s
global energy product group executive
committee.
Carolyn Hillard, manager - engineering
technical at Sedgman, was named
overall runner-up in the annual awards.
Category winners included open-pit
production supervisor at Xstrata Zinc’s
Handle Bar Hill mine - Michele Todd,
BMA Peak Downs mine apprentice
electrician Rhiannon Martin and
Brisbane-based Sedgman process
engineer Jo Kirby.
Th e BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance
Diversity Plan was named best company
initiative, with Clough’s Women@
Clough Strategy as runner-up.
Yarwun terminal push
Tenement to Terminal (3TL) has
submitted its initial advice statement to
the Queensland Government seeking
approval to build a coal terminal with
capacity of up to 50mtpa at Gladstone.
Th e privately owned Brisbane-based
infrastructure development company
last year contracted to acquire 134ha
of waterfront land at Yarwun from the
State Government.
3TL said it had started a project
development phase, expected to cost
$35 million, to enable a fi nal investment
decision to be made by December 2014.
Th e fi rst stage of the terminal, which
would handle up to 25mtpa, was
expected to open in the fi rst quarter of
2017, the company said.
Springsure Creek haulage deal
Asciano’s coal haulage business,
Pacifi c National, has entered a 15-year
performance-based take or pay contract
with Bandanna Energy for the annual
movement of up to 4mtpa from its
proposed Springsure Creek mine in
central Queensland.
Th e contract commencement was
aligned to the start of Wiggins Island
Coal Export Terminal (WICET)
Stage 1 operations at Gladstone,
expected in mid-2014.
New crew at Bandanna
Former Macarthur Coal executive
Michael Gray, who led the development
of the Middlemount mine, has replaced
Dr Ray Shaw as managing director of
Bandanna Energy.
Th e company said Mr Gray’s
appointment co-incided with an
exciting period of development for
Bandanna as it consolidated a clear
pathway from mine to port for its
Springsure Creek coal assets.
Th e appointment of Mr Gray came after
mining engineer John Pegler – formerly
the chief executive offi cer of Ensham
Resources - joined the Bandanna board
in January.
Macarthur mines overhaul
Peabody has announced plans to improve
the cost structure, productivity, and
sustainability of central Queensland
operations acquired in its Macarthur
Coal takeover.
Key components of the 2012 agenda – set
out in Peabody’s annual report - include
a major upgrade
to the Coppabella
mine to improve
the mine plan and
correct a signifi cant
overburden
removal defi ciency;
increased dragline
and equipment
utilisation and
productivity at
Coppabella and
Moorvale; major
equipment repairs deferred under
prior management; and improved coal
marketing activities.
Peabody has also approved the
acceleration of development for the new
Codrilla mine, about 30km east of the
Moorvale mine and about 120km south-
west of Mackay.
It is now expected to produce fi rst coal
in late 2013, with volumes ramping up to
about 3.5 million tonnes by 2014.
Signifi cant projects
Th e Collingwood and Taroom coal
projects in the north of the Surat Basin
have been approved for “signifi cant
project” status by the Queensland Co-
ordinator General.
Th e projects - owned by Cockatoo
Coal and a subsidiary of Mitsui Coal
Holdings - are regarded as having
the potential to export up to 14mtpa
combined across 25 years of operations.
“Receiving ‘signifi cant project’ status
will be a recognition of the considerable
economic potential of these two projects
and the scale of benefi ts that they may
bring to the Queensland community,”
Cockatoo Coal chief executive offi cer
Andrew Lawson said. “However, it will
also mark the start of the next phase
in our interaction with a wide variety
of stakeholders within and outside the
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11The Mining Advocate | March 2012 INDUSTRY UPDATE COAL AND GAS
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Engineering and construction company
Clough recently announced that the
BAM Clough Joint Venture had received
a letter of intent for a contract valued at
$140 million to design and construct the
Ichthys LNG project module offl oading
facility near Darwin. Th e facility will be
used to offl oad modules being supplied
under other subcontracts to assemble the
LNG liquefaction plant.
Oil and gas wages rise
Wages and confi dence are surging in the
global oil and gas industry, according to
a guide produced by Hays Oil & Gas
with Oil and Gas Job Search.
Th e annual salary guide, based on more
than 14,000 respondents worldwide,
showed an increase in employer
confi dence - with 26.7 per cent extremely
positive about the current market, up
from just 9.7 per cent in 2011. Th ree
quarters of all employers expect staffi ng
levels to increase in the next 12 months.
“With confi dence comes salary increases
and this is refl ected with an increase
in the average worldwide salary for
professionals and skilled employees in
the industry to $US80,458 per annum
(equivalent) - up 6.1 per cent in the past
12 months,” Hays Oil & Gas managing
director Matt Underhill said.
Pipeline progress
Construction of the largest diameter
long-distance pipeline in Australia is
ramping up following heavy rain in the
gas fi elds of western Queensland.
Th e 42-inch (about 1m) diameter steel
pipeline, which will be buried for more
than 540km, will take gas from fi elds
around Chinchilla to Gladstone as part
of QGC’s $US15 billion Queensland
Curtis LNG Project.
Some work was temporarily suspended
by QGC’s pipeline contractor in January
due to the wet conditions.
QCLNG project senior vice-president
Alexander (Sandy) Nairn said all 46,200
12m lengths of pipe had been delivered
to sites along the pipeline route in
preparation for welding and burial.
“More than 1300 people are involved
in preparing the pipeline easement,
digging the trench, welding and testing
the welds before eventually burying the
pipeline,” Mr Nairn said.
Th e pipeline is being constructed by a
joint venture of McConnell Dowell and
Consolidated Contracting Company.
Burial of the fi rst sections of the
pipeline was expected to start in March
following safety and integrity testing.
Employment boost for Gladstone
More than 5000 jobs have been created
in Gladstone as a result of new CSG
and coal export industry development,
Gladstone Economic and Industry
Development Board chairman Leo
Zussino said.
“Another 2000 jobs will be added this
year, taking the total to over 7000 new
construction jobs by the end of 2012”
Mr Zussino said.
“Gladstone is a stand-out economic
success centre on Australia’s eastern
seaboard during these subdued and
uncertain economic times.”
“Th e construction workforce for the
LNG and coal projects in Gladstone
will peak at over 11,000 next year and,
with almost a 60 per cent local content
in the workforce to date, signifi cant job
opportunities are available to those with
the necessary skills in more depressed
parts of the country.” he said.
Green light for Ichthys plant
Th e Northern Territory Government
has given development consent for
the Ichthys gas plant at Blaydin
Point, Darwin. Th is follows the
recent announcement by INPEX
Corporation and Total confi rming
the fi nal investment decision on the
$US34 billion Ichthys
LNG project.
NT Acting Chief Minister
Delia Lawrie said the
project was the second-
largest private investment in
Australia’s history.
At the peak of construction,
a workforce of about 3000
will be needed to build the
onshore facilities, which
include an LNG plant, a
condensate plant, product
loading jetties and a
300MW power station.
INPEX chairman Naoki
Kuroda said all successful
tenderers to the project
would have to demonstrate
how they would maximise
the use of Australian
products and services.
Th iess has won a $325 million contract to construct gas processing facilities in
the Surat Basin for the Queensland Curtis LNG project (QCLNG).
Th e six fi eld compression stations and one central processing plant, to be
built about 30km north-west of Dalby in southern Queensland, represent some
of the upstream facilities QGC is developing for the project.
Th e facilities will process gas for transport via an underground pipeline to
Gladstone.
QCLNG senior vice-president Alexander (Sandy) Nairn said Th iess’s
contract included “a robust plan” for employment of local personnel and
contractors.
Th iess will undertake all civil, mechanical and high-voltage electrical work in
constructing and commissioning the facilities between now and the fi rst half of
2013. Th e project is expected to employ about 570 workers at its peak.
QGC project director - upstream Ken Larson, Thiess chief executive offi cer Bruce Munro
and QCLNG senior vice-president Sandy Nairn discuss the contract.
Upstream undertaking
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12 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateINDUSTRY UPDATE HARD ROCK
Hall told the Paydirt conference that
the pending re-start of nuclear reactors
in tsunami-impacted Japan – expected
to commence from around April –
should have a marked upwards pressure
on the global spot price for uranium.
Zinc power in the Territory
A proposed $270 million expansion of
McArthur River Mining (MRM) would
create 295 jobs
when in operation,
taking the
Northern Territory
site’s workforce
to 735 by 2020,
Xstrata Zinc says.
A draft environ-
mental impact
statement lodged
recently for the
project showed the
expansion would
boost industry output by $8.4 billion
within the Northern Territory economy
and $9.3 billion nationally during
the construction, operational and
decommissioning periods.
“Our earlier estimates have now gone
through the robust process of an EIS
and we’re looking at being able to
off er more jobs, a longer mine life and
greater fi nancial investment into the
community in which we operate and
the Northern Territory and Australian
economies,” Xstrata Zinc Australia chief
operating offi cer Brian Hearne said.
Th e company proposes increasing
capacity at the mine from 2.5 million
tonnes of ore per annum to 5.5 million
tonnes, producing about 800,000 dry
metric tonnes per annum of zinc-lead
concentrate for export markets.
Th e project would extend the life of
mine by nine years from 2027 to 2036.
Th e proposed expansion of MRM is in
the feasibility study stage and is subject
to approval by Xstrata.
Explorers invest $3 billion
Almost $3 billion was invested on
mineral exploration nationwide during
2010/11, according to a report compiled
by Geoscience Australia.
Th e Australian Mineral Exploration
Review 2011 showed increased
expenditure in all jurisdictions except
Victoria.
Western Australia dominated
spending with $1590 million, an
increase of 28 per cent on the previous
year, followed by Queensland with
$664 million, up by 52 per cent.
Spending in the Northern Territory
increased
31 per cent to
$195 million.
Exploration
expenditure
increased for most
commodities
including coal
(up 62 per cent
to $520 million),
copper (up 60 per
cent to $323
million), lead,
zinc and silver (up 46 per cent to
$76 million) and nickel and cobalt (up
33 per cent to $271 million).
Iron ore exploration spending
increased 27 per cent to $665 million,
while uranium was up 27 per cent
to $214 million and gold exploration
investment rose by 13 per cent to
$652 million nationwide.
New-look skills body
Th e Mining Industry Skills Centre has
been rebranded as Kinetic Group, in
a move chief executive offi cer Derek
Hunter described as critical to ensure
the needs of industry were being met.
“Ultimately, the commitment of
Kinetic Group as the skills advisor to
the resources sector is reliant on our
relentless focus on the needs and future
direction of the industry,” he said.
“Th is is represented by our fl uid,
evolutionary approach to our brand.”
Th e organisation was established
in 1994 as the Queensland Mining
Industry Training Advisory Body.
It was relaunched in 2006 as the
Mining Industry Skills Centre, a centre
for excellence in workforce development
and planning initiatives for the mining
industry.
$132m equipment contract
Industrea Mining Services has won a
$132 million contract renewal for the
hire, service and support of equipment
to Xstrata’s Black Star mine.
Industrea managing director and chief
executive offi cer Robin Levison said the
renewal contract up to December 2013
was for the existing fl eet of equipment
at improved rates.
Major uranium upside
Th e untapped prospectivity for uranium
around the Pine Creek region of
the Northern Territory should not
be under-estimated according to
Th undelarra Exploration.
Addressing the recent Paydirt 2012
Uranium Conference in Adelaide,
Th undelarra managing director
Brett Lambert said the company’s
Th underball prospect discovery in
the Hayes Creek tenement area had
generated bonanza grades in the
thousands of parts per million.
Recent work had found surface samples
at Hayes Creek of up to 17 per cent
uranium oxide, Mr Lambert said.
“It is our belief that the area remains
lightly explored and that there is
signifi cant potential for further uranium
discoveries, particularly in some of
the major fault systems through the
province,” he said.
Toro Energy managing director Greg
Barminco has added a $100 million contract for underground development at
Dugald River to a raft of work in north-west Queensland.
Th e two-and-a-half-year contract at MMG’s zinc, lead and silver project
encompasses the development of two exploration declines to access and
develop the orebody.
Decline development for Dugald River, 65km north-west of Cloncurry, is
expected to continue until June 2014, with annual development of 9000m and
a workforce of close to 100 personnel.
Th e Dugald River contract takes the total Barminco projects in Queensland
to four, with other contracts in the region including the Mt Gordon, Ernest
Henry and and Eloise copper mines.
The Barminco crew starts work on a decline at Dugald River.
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“Considering that the highest-grade
operating molybdenum mines process
ore at an average grade around 0.3 per
cent molybdenum, the astonishingly
high-grade ore at Little Wizard shows
what an extraordinary mineral belt we
have in the Merlin/Mt Dore region,”
Ivanhoe Australia chief executive offi cer
Peter Reeve said.
Palmer at the podium
Mining executive Clive Palmer is
scheduled to be a key speaker at this
year’s North Queensland Mining,
Processing and Energy Conference
(NQ-MPEC).
“Prof Palmer has always been outspoken
on industry change and we hope that he
will help to encourage greater dialogue
about the issues faced by North
Queensland’s mining, processing and
energy industries,” event organiser Sean
Dalton said.
Australian Professional Conferences
and Seminars will run the event on
May 14 and 15 at Rydges Southbank
Convention Centre, Palmer St, South
Townsville.
Mt Frosty joint venture
Chinalco Yunnan Copper Resources
has signed a binding agreement with
Xstrata Copper to begin exploration
on the Mt Frosty copper project, about
60km east of Mount Isa.
Under the terms of the joint venture,
Chinalco Yunnan can earn up to
a 75 per cent interest by spending
$4.5 million in the next six years in a
two-stage earn-in deal.
Phosphate fl oat
Legend International Holdings has
transferred its north-west Queensland
phosphate assets into a subsidiary to
be fl oated on the Australian Securities
Exchange.
Th e company announced the move,
with a $7.5 million convertible note
facility from Acorn Capital, as the fi rst
major milestone for
fi nancing its Paradise
phosphate project.
Th e phosphate assets
include the phosphate
rock deposits of
Paradise North and
Paradise South, the
D-Tree deposit and
areas under the King
Eagle joint venture.
In a company
announcement,
Legend said its senior
management believed
a dedicated Australian
company wholly focused on phosphate
would be best placed to bring the
project into production.
Tender documents for the construction
of a 1mtpa phosphate rock benefi ciation
plant at Paradise South have been
completed and distributed to various
engineering and construction
companies.
Legend said a further fi ve work
packages would be completed and
ready for distribution by March for a
transmission line, water supply dam
and tailings starting facility, water
treatment plant, accommodation
village and administration building,
mining infrastructure - including the
construction of the ROM pad and haul
road - and operations.
NORNICO studies step up
Metallica Minerals is accelerating mine
and engineering feasibility studies for
its NORNICO nickel-cobalt-scandium
project in North Queensland following
completion of the exploration phase.
An updated resource estimate for the
Lucknow deposit within the project
included a signifi cant boost to the
scandium resource and a further
upgrade to nickel-cobalt resources, the
company said.
Metallica managing director
Andrew Gillies said completion of
the exploration phase enabled the
company to focus more on its mining
and engineering feasibility studies,
permitting for development and
marketing eff orts
towards potential end
users of scandium.
“Th ere has already
been strong customer
interest and enquiry
in our project
and the company
remains confi dent
in our potential to
establish long-term
customers who require
scandium for high
performance and
high value aluminium
alloys, more effi cient
solid oxide fuel cells
and scandium-bearing metal halide
lighting,” he said.
Cerro’s iron-clad update
Cerro Resources has announced an
updated resource for its Mt Philp
haematite iron prospect, about 54km
south-east of Mount Isa. Th e estimate
includes an indicated resource of
19 million tonnes averaging 41 per
cent iron and 38 per cent silica, plus an
inferred resource of 11.4 million tonnes
averaging 34 per cent iron and 48 per
cent silica.
Decline reaches Little Wizard
Ivanhoe Australia’s Merlin project
development team has successfully
accessed the very high grade Little
Wizard ore body, about 75m below the
surface.
Merlin, in north-west Queensland, is
the world’s highest-grade molybdenum
and rhenium deposit. Th e Little Wizard
orebody has an indicated mineral
resource of 15,000 tonnes at 6.5 per
cent molybdenum and 84g per tonne
rhenium.
Krucible Metals has discovered signifi cant heavy rare earth elements in surface
sampling at its Coorabulka tenement, south of Boulia in Queensland.
Sampling of large concretionary nodules from a shire council road
pit showed up to 1.2kg per tonne of yttrium oxide, 4.02kg per tonne of
neodymium oxide, 1.08kg of praseodymium oxide and 0.23kg of dysprosium
oxide, the company said.
Coorabulka is located 200km south of the Krucible’s fl agship yttrium and
rock phosphate project, Korella, in north-west Queensland..
Svanbergite concretionary nodules from the Coorabulka area, containing strongly
anomalous heavy rare earths.
Road pit riches
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14 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateBETWEEN SHIFTS
Darwin Mining Club luncheon
EHM community information session
Mantra Pandanas, Darwin
Cloncurry Bowls Club
Rob Karlson and Jono Pytko (Chartair) with Tim Hawkins
(Skills DMC).
Charles Staples (Power and Water Corp), Terry Mills (NT
Opposition leader) and John Tarca (Power and Water Corp).
Alan Stevens, Ron Kamid and Paul Noakes (Holcim).
Claire Forsyth (Hays Recruitment), Brian Sowler (Arafura
Resources) and Mark Pitt (Hays Recruitment).
Jody Clark and Dan Janney (Energy Resources of Australia) with
Duncan Hedditch (Pacifi c Aluminium) and Janet Hamilton (Energy
Resources of Australia).
Jo Walters (Ernest Henry Mining) and Gail Wipaki (Mary Kathleen
Memorial Park and Information Centre) with Jo Green and Trisha Llayt
(both from Cloncurry Shire Council).
Tommy and John Senden.
Cloncurry Shire Mayor Andrew Daniels with Ernest Henry Mining general
manager Myles Johnston and Cloncurry PCYC branch manager Sergeant
Mick Hughes.
Colin Ferguson, Jeremy Grimm and John McFaull.
Peter Papastergos and George Brown (Hastings Deering) with
Alan Wright (Alan Wright Mining and Public Aff airs) and Craig
Wenck (Hastings Deering).
PHOTOS: Christopher Knight
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Bill Douglas (Rimcorp) and Bob Joy (Supply Connections) with Tolita
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Tomas Hudee (Steinert Australia) with Grant and Susie Craker
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Bruce Smith (Dundee Group), Nathan Wyer (Bowen State High
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John Stokes and Grant Rawling (Eastern Nomad) with Peter
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Brian Byrne (Inchcape Shipping Services), Lisa Nicholls (Bowen
Towage Services) and Michael Cummins (MRA).
Steve Farley (Whitsunday Helicopters), Adam Savage (Delmondo
Property Group), Peter Comben (Seabreeze Estate) and Peter
Bickerton (Bickerton Masters Architects).
Ross Contarino (Townsville Enterprise), Jenny Whitney
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Mike Brunker (Whitsunday Regional Council), Paul Spina
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17The Mining Advocate | March 2012 BETWEEN SHIFTS
Surat Basin industry networking evening
Surat Basin Corporation-QRC presentation
White Bull Tavern, Roma
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Anthony Freer, Steve Streidl and Peter Maloney (Southern Cross
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Stuart Wagner and Ashley Saw (both from Easternwell)
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Kaye Maguire (Maguire Coaches), Craig Brown (Queensland
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Steve Hoggett (Chandler Macleod), Steve Halliday ( Vanderfi eld)
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Channey Fell (FKG Civil), Tony Valentine (DTS Group) and Troy
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Maree Petty (Indigenous Workstars, John Pearson Consulting), Brock
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Kevin Chambers (FKG & Sons Group) and Rob Loughnan
(Maranoa Regional Council).
Suzie Washington (Carefl ight), Mick Cosgrove (Western Downs
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Gala dinner - Moranbah aquatic centre upgrade celebrations
Bernard Salt presentation
Community Hall, Moranbah
Community Hall, Moranbah
Ryan Stitt (Anglo American) and Suzie Liscombe (BMA) with
Clinton Vanderkruk, Albie Smit, Leisa Westerman and Scott
Green (all Anglo American).
Heather Norris and Nicole Duguid (both from Regional
Development Australia) with Jessica Dix (Isaac Regional Council).
Melissa Craig with Steve Rae (BMA) and Debbie Rae.
Jody Meier and Kathleen Clancy (both from Arrow Energy) with
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Andy Webb (Mining Trade Services), Laine Webb (BMA
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Michelle Ruddell (Regional Social Development Centre) with
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Department of Communities).
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19The Mining Advocate | March 2012 Regional Engineering Teams
Time for wider recognitionEquity and increased access to professional
development are on the agenda in a year that
directs the focus fi rmly outside capital cities.
Engineers Australia has adopted the theme “Regional Engineering: Th e Heart of Australia” for 2012, which the organisation has designated as Year of the Regional Engineering Team (YoRET).
In Queensland alone, there are 15 regional groups with membership of around 8000.
“Engineering underpins the economic and social development of our communities and essential to this is the contribution made by members of the engineering teams located in regional Australia,” YoRET Special Interest Group chairman Greg Mashiah said.
He said also that the
importance of regional Australia to the development of our society was often overlooked by many members of the general community.
Mr Mashiah said the Year of the Regional Engineering Team would help raise the profi le of this contribution and the importance of regional engineering in Australia’s future by:
• Improving access to continuing professional development for regionally based members,
• Increasing awareness of engineering opportunities in regional areas,
• Promoting equity for all Engineers Australia members, and
• Generating an understanding
of the value of the regional
engineering team.
Activities undertaken
as part of the Year of the
Regional Engineering Team
will be promoted through the
Engineers Australia website at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/regional
Mr Mashiah said the website identifi ed all active regional groups (click on the top left-hand corner) and regional areas where new groups could be formed or re-formed.
“Engineering team members living in areas with regional groups are encouraged to participate in their local group’s activities while those living in areas without a current regional group are encouraged to contact their division and inquire about forming a new regional group for their area,” Mr Mashiah said.
“To secure Australia’s future
social and economic development
will require a vibrant and
innovative contribution from all
of our regional areas.
“Th is needs to be supported by
investment in capital and skills,
along with addressing many of
the capacity issues being felt by
our regional areas due to rapid and sustained growth.
“Th e YoRET is being steered by the Regional Special Interest Group, which comprises regional representatives from each division. Th e (group) encourages everyone to participate in the YoRET, and looks forward to a very successful 2012.”
“Engineering underpins the economic and social
development of our communities”
Greg MashiahYoRET Special Interest Group
chairman
Engineering plays a critical role in the mining industry. Engineers Australia North Western Regional Group chairwoman Monica Joseph said engineers’ input varied depending on the type of operations, the site set-up and the life of the mine.
In the case of a new mine about to be brought online, for example, the mining and geotechnical engineers would determine the best method of mining while others such as electrical, civil and mechanical engineers would focus on the infrastructure requirements.
“Th is infrastructure is not limited to the processing plant
and equipment required for the mining, it also includes offi ce and accommodation blocks and other amenities required for mining personnel,” Ms Joseph said.
“At an established mine, engineers can be involved in greenfi eld and brownfi eld projects. Th ese projects can involve several engineering disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental and so on, or only one discipline.
“Engineers are also involved in the general operations of the mine and focus on maintenance and reliability. In order to meet production targets, plants need
to have minimal downtime and an appropriate maintenance schedule. Towards the end of
the life of mine, the engineering focus is on decommissioning and ensuring that any remaining infrastructure does no harm to society or the environment.”
Ms Joseph said engineers working in the mining industry did not focus only on the technical aspects of engineering.
“Many engineers are project managers and/or hold positions in upper management,” she said. “Regardless of the role, engineers are often the link between the operations personnel and management. Th ey communicate and translate ideas from both parties to provide a solution to
the problem. As a result they often spend time networking and establishing contacts at all levels in the organisation.
“Engineers are team players who work together with other departments to achieve production targets.”
Ms Joseph said while engineers played an important role in supporting the mining industry, they were just one of many pillars.
“So it is important that as the mining industry continues to build, the engineering profession continues to be involved to ensure that the engineering pillar remains stable and intact,” she said.
Monica JosephEngineers Australia North Western
Regional Group chairwoman
Crucial input, from site set-up to wind-down
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Ivanhoe Australia Ltd is an Australian based company, with principal activities focussed in North-West Queensland. Situated near Mount Isa at our Cloncurry and Osborne operations, we are concentrating on the exploration and development of our portfolio of Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Rhenium projects in this region.
Recently Ivanhoe Australia acquired the Osborne mine site, which will be utilised to further develop the Merlin Mine. We are now developing several large projects in this region, and 2012 is a year of rapid growth, with the expansion of our current infrastructure and installation of new facilities, as well as the continuous improvements and upgrades to the Osborne mine site.
Due to the recent growth and expansion of our company, we currently have a number of vacancies for experienced people:
Project Geologists We are seeking Project Geologists to work from our exploration site south of Cloncurry. You will report to a Senior Geologist based at the project. We have a large, multi-national exploration team within which mentoring and cross-pollination of ideas is actively promoted. There is also scope for future work and interaction with other subsidiaries of the parent company Ivanhoe Mines (Asia and Africa).
Required skills and experience:
• Over 3 years exploration in IOCG, porphyry, epithermal, VMS and/or Sedex systems.
• A BSc Geology degree; a higher quali cation (Honours, Masters and PhD) is an advantage.
• The ability to plan and run exploration programs (mapping, geochemical and drilling) at the prospect level.
• Strong eld geology skills (mapping and interpretation).
• Drill-hole planning and logging; as well as supervision of drill site activities (sampling etc) and eld crews.
Mine Geologist, Mining Engineers, Geotechnical EngineersWe are seeking Mine Geologist, Mining and Geotechnical Engineers to work at our Osborne and Merlin Mines.
Required skills and experience:• Experience working in a underground mining operation. • Applicable degree, quali cations and licences• Base metal experience is desirable.• Demonstrate safe work practices; Ivanhoe Australia has a strong work safety culture.• Display good leadership traits and be a conscientious team player.• Current open unrestricted Queensland driver’s licence
Further information on the above roles, and other current vacancies, including skills and experience required, and employment conditions can be found on our website www.ivanhoeaustralia.com
Ivanhoe Australia Limited (Corporate Of ce)Level 13, 484 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004Tel: 03 9090 8800
If you are a motivated self
starter, with demonstrated safe
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please email your resume and
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21The Mining Advocate | March 2012 Ivanhoe Australia feature
Ivanhoe Australia has enjoyed a dream run this wet season in the lead-up to recommencement of copper concentrate production at Osborne.
General manager operations Neal Valk said the weather had been kind, allowing on-schedule completion of a nine-month concentrator refurbishment.
Roads had remained open so neither freight nor people had been delayed at any time.
While the production of copper concentrate has recommenced, the plant will operate on an eight days on-six days off roster until the mining rate increases in about 12 months’ time.
“We will be treating 900,000 tonnes of ore from the Osborne and Kulthor ore bodies for 2012, after which production is scheduled to increase in 2013,” Mr Valk said.
When ready for transport, half containers of copper concentrate are loaded on triple road trains and hauled to Townsville port, where they are stored and made into 10,800 wet-metric-tonne parcels prior to being shipped to overseas copper smelters.
NSS (Northern Stevedoring Services) has been awarded the contract for trucking, storage and port loading.
Mr Valk said three production levels 1200m below surface had been developed at lower Osborne while development in Kulthor continued, with fi rst stoping to occur in May 2012.
“Th e major exhaust ventilation rise for Kulthor has seen delays with the inability to strip and
A successful recruitment drive has helped
Ivanhoe Australia keep on top of its project
schedule as action cranks up in the north-west.
Smooth run for plant restart
include the construction of a 55km haulage access road between Osborne and Starra -
scheduled to be in operation late this year, and the replacement of power station engines - to
Ivanhoe Australia general manager operations Neal Valk at the Osborne operation in north-west Queensland.
concrete-line the top 100m of the rise,” he said.
“Th is has caused some delays in Kulthor development progressing as scheduled.”
Work has also begun on Ivanhoe’s third copper-gold ore source, Starra 276, - located 50km north of the Osborne concentrator.
Rehabilitation is occurring following mine closure in 2003.
Th e decline has been stripped from the portal for the fi rst 300m to make it wide enough for current haulage trucks.
Byrnecut Australia has begun mining a decline bypass, while sill driving of the new production levels will start in the third quarter 2012, with fi rst stope production scheduled for early 2013.
Other projects under way
be built in Finland by Wartsila,
with the fi rst two engines
commissioned around mid-2012.
Mr Valk said a very successful
recruiting drive had contributed
signifi cantly to all plans and
projects coming in on time.
“We have all the processing
plant operators and lab
technicians we need for 2012.
However, with the start of stope
production from Osborne, there
are still around half a dozen
heavy vehicle fi tters’ positions to
be fi lled,” he said.
“But everyone who’s been
with us along the way has
worked really well to bring
everything together - from the
teams doing the development
mining and plant refurbishment
through to the support teams in
administration, supply, HR and
safety.”
Ivanhoe Australia acquired the Osborne-Kulthor tenements, 195km south-east of Mount Isa, from Barrick in October 2010.
Th e company had previously acquired the Selwyn project, also in the Cloncurry district.
Th e restart of the Osborne processing plant is the culmination of 12 months of pre-production investment in the resources of Osborne, Kulthor and Starra deposits.
Initial production will use feed from the lower Osborne deposit, followed by Kulthor.
Th is will begin this month (March) and be processed at the rate of 80–90,000 tonnes per month, for a total of 890,000 tonnes processed in 2012.
Th e plant will produce 50,000 tonnes of copper concentrate, which will be road hauled to
Townsville, loaded onto ships and sold overseas.Pre-production development will continue at
Kulthor at the rate of 400m per month, as well as 200m per month at Starra.
Stope production at Kulthor is due to begin in May 2012, while Starra will begin production in 2013.
Further projects in the area are being studied. Th ese include the Mt Dore deposit, as well as a scoping study on Mt Elliott/ SWAN. In addition, Ivanhoe is actively exploring across extensive tenements in the area.
Each week, 11 charter fl ights fl y 360 Osborne village workers and 170 Mt Dore camp personnel to and from the sites.
Th ese numbers will increase, as further projects are brought online.
Operation Osborne - an overview
22 March 2012 | The Mining Advocate
CanningtonProudly supporting mining communities
SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON
Building Mining Communities
Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) is gearing up to plant another $10,000 into school environmental projects, with applications being sought for the 2012 Reef Guardian Fund.
Th e funding is open to all Gladstone region schools signed up on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Schools program, an initiative encouraging schools to commit to protecting the reef through education and environmental projects.
Schools are encouraged to apply to QAL’s fund to implement a variety of sustainable environmental projects, or to purchase equipment used to teach awareness on environmental conservation.
Kin Kora Primary School received funding last year, with the donation going towards its long-term environmental management plan to become a sustainable school.
“QAL’s funding really helped us kick-start the
projects in our plan with the main aim for 2011 to
improve biodiversity in the school through gardening
projects,” teacher Lyn Homann said.
“We were able to purchase supplies for the students
to participate in National Tree Day and planted
natives on the school grounds, as well as set up six
complete veggie and herb gardens located throughout
the school. Th e environmental captains maintain
the gardens, so they learn all about the importance
of prioritising their duties along with school
commitments.”
In recent years, the Reef Guardian Fund has
provided almost $60,000 in support to local schools,
including funding for worm farms, weather stations,
water quality monitors, garden beds and even a mini
electricity generator.
Kin Kora environment captains Michael Farnell, Brittney Underhill, Mikayla Jones and Jack Moore check out the
school’s garden with QAL community relations and media specialist Courtney Brown (left) and Kin Kora teacher Lyn
Homann (at back).
QAL forks out to support schools’ green schemes
Four organisations have shared $26,000 raised late last year by the Rotary Club of Townsville Daybreak when it hosted the ABB Queensland Mining Golf Challenge.
Benefi ciaries included the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), Th e Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Delta Dog Th erapy and the Rotary Foundation.
Queensland Mining Golf Challenge organiser Marcel McLeod, who is also Rotary Club of Townsville Daybreak president, said more than 150 players competed in the charity event, which received generous support from sponsors.
RFDS community fundraising co-ordinator, Queensland section, Mike Greasley said that group’s $6500 share would go towards the purchase of vital life-saving medical equipment and the replacement of ageing aircraft.
“Th e mining community has always strongly supported the RFDS, with QCoal a principal sponsor of the organisation and Xstrata Mount Isa Mines donating $2 million to the redevelopment of the RFDS Mount Isa base,” he said.
“Th e growth of the mining industry in outback areas of Queensland has increased the number of people living and working in remote areas who rely not only on the RFDS’s emergency services but increasingly on the organisation’s tele-health care and medical chests for mine staff in these regions.”
Mr McLeod said he was already receiving interest from sponsors for the next mining golf challenge.
“It could expand to become a national event if discussions with our major sponsor get the green light,” he said.
“What this means is that the event will grow and so will the mining and processing commitment to other needy and worthwhile organisations in our community who, like last year’s charities, save lives and provide much- need services.”
Mr McLeod said dates for the 2012 Queensland Mining Golf Challenge were yet to be decided, although it was likely to be held around August-September.
Anyone interested in being involved either as a sponsor, player or volunteer should visit www.mininggolfchallenge.com.au
Golf challenge
charity push off
to a fl ying start
RFDS senior base pilot Clayton Nankivell and nurse manager - clinical
Loretto Harvey with Rotary Club of Townsville Daybreak president
Marcel McLeod. Photo: Cheryl Robertson
Rio Tinto Coal Australia recently launched a $4 million top-up of its three community development funds.
Rio Tinto energy vice-president external relations Fiona Nicholls said the additional funding covered three years from the beginning of 2012 through the Hail Creek mine, Clermont region, and Kestrel mine community development funds.
“Since 1999, when our fi rst community development fund was established in Queensland, we have invested more than $9 million to support a wide range of local projects including business development, education and training, arts and culture, and health,” she said.
Conservation Volunteers Australia is one body which
benefi ts from the Rio Tinto Coal Australia partnership.
“We are very grateful for the support that the Hail Creek fund has provided to the Sandfl y Creek Environmental Reserve, which is the home for several thousand migratory shorebirds each year,” Conservation Volunteers Australia Mackay regional manager Caitlin Davies said.
Four days of celebration marked the recent offi cial
opening of the $6.5 million Greg Cruickshank Aquatic
Centre upgrade in Moranbah.
Representatives from industry, council and almost
200 community members were on hand to watch the
plaque unveiling by leaders from the three funding
partners - BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)
asset president Stephen Dumble, Anglo American
senior project manager (Grosvenor project) Byron
Higgins and Isaac Regional Council Mayor Cedric
Marshall.
Highlights of the festivities included a synchronised
swimming display by 2012 Australian Olympic
team members Sarah Bombell and Eloise Amberger,
children’s activities and a black-tie gala dinner and
Olympic auction attended by 150 people.
Rio Tinto boosts community funds
Aquatic centre opening makes a splash
23The Mining Advocate | March 2012
CanningtonProudly supporting mining communities
SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON
Building Mining Communities
BHP Billiton Cannington and Southern Gulf Catchments have launched a partnership to assist landholders in the McKinlay and Cloncurry shires actively manage weeds of national signifi cance.
Th e $250,000 partnership, funded by Cannington, will be managed by local landholders in conjunction with a team of project offi cers from Southern Gulf Catchments and will target prickly acacia, rubber vine and mesquite.
Preventing the weeds from spreading will have an extensive impact on conserving biodiversity in Mitchell Grass Downs and Gulf Plains bio-regions as well as protecting critical aquatic habitats.
Cannington asset president Bob Fulker said BHP Billiton recognised the importance of controlling the extensive outbreaks of prickly acacia and rubber vine in north-west Queensland.
“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and, to that end, are working with landholders and local councils to help manage these weeds of national signifi cance,” he said.
“Th e weeds represent a signifi cant threat so we are very happy to contribute a signifi cant amount of money to help win the battle against them.”
Southern Gulf Catchments project co-ordinator Charles Curry said project offi cers would work with up to 50 landholders across both shires.
“Th e project will run over one year and, using best practice methodology to bring these weed infestations to a property-manageable level, it aims to strategically control the infestations over approximately 15,000ha,” he said.
“Environmental rewards from this project will be far-reaching and include a reduction of the impacts on the soil as well as native fl ora and fauna species, the opportunity for ecosystems to re-establish and improved grazing land management practices.”
Treated prickly acacia on Eddington Station.
Partnership to
weed out pests
Cannington backs classroom
kits to share Aboriginal culture BHP Billiton Cannington is helping Queensland school children gain greater exposure to Australian culture thanks to a $40,000 grant.
Th e funds are being used to develop science and Aboriginal learning kits to be shared between schools on a loan basis.
Th e learning kits are being created by the Queensland Museum in consultation with community members.
Th ey are relevant to grades 4-7 and incorporate real objects such as woomeras, morah stones and boomerangs.
Cannington asset president Bob Fulker said the company was proud to be associated with the development of such an important educational tool and unique resource.
Under the national curriculum, teachers are required to embed indigenous perspectives such as history and regional cultural practices across the whole curriculum while the new science syllabus provides a vehicle for teachers to discuss how
indigenous people used scientifi c principles such as chemistry, physics and biology in their traditional practices.
Queensland Museum senior curator cultures and histories, Trish Barnard, said many non-indigenous teachers reported they did not feel suffi ciently informed to accurately teach indigenous history and regional
cultural practices in schools.
“However, the Queensland
Museum learning kits align
with the new national science
curriculum and will provide
teachers with the skills and
learning resources necessary to
increase teaching competencies
in the area of indigenous
science,” she said.
Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) will contribute a further $2 million towards the Cloncurry Community Precinct - taking the company’s total support to $2.75 million.
General manager Myles Johnston announced the funding during a recent EHM community information session at the Cloncurry Bowls Club.
He said the precinct was the fi rst major social infrastructure project Ernest Henry had supported in Cloncurry.
“We provided $750,000 towards the precinct in 2010 under the Xstrata Community Program North Queensland,” Mr Johnston said.
“However we wanted to invest more through
this program to ensure all of the features suggested
during the project’s consultation and design phases
could be incorporated during construction.
“Th e Cloncurry Community Precinct will create
a state-of-the-art facility for our local community
and we are extremely proud to be the largest
fi nancial supporter of the project.”
Th e project involves the refurbishment of the
Cloncurry Shire Hall and the inclusion of a
library, art gallery, function rooms, amenities and
communal outdoor space.
Th e Cloncurry Community Precinct is expected
to open in June 2012.
Xstrata has contributed $1 million towards the completion of Ronald McDonald House’s new 12-bedroom facility on the doorstep of the Townsville Hospital.
Xstrata Copper North Queensland chief operating offi cer Steve de Kruijff said Ronald McDonald House had helped almost 300 families of seriously ill children from within Xstrata’s North Queensland communities since it was established in 2004.
“Another compelling factor for us was that a large percentage of those families assisted were also our valued employees
and, based on those statistics, I would say
that the house in Townsville is not just a
‘nice to have’ service, but a necessity,” Mr
de Kruijff said.
Ronald McDonald House North
Queensland chairman Paul Rissman said
the organisation had been fundraising for
the past fi ve years with the goal of being
able to double the capacity of Ronald
McDonald House in Townsville from 12
to 24 rooms.
“Xstrata has provided us with the fi nal
$1 million needed to secure the future of
our $3 million project,” Mr Rissman said.
Xstrata Copper North Queensland chief operating officer Steve de Kruijff with Ronald
McDonald House representatives Paul Rissman, Emma Meeking, Lorraine Colbran, Helen
Tarttelin and George Colbran. Photo: Roslyn Budd
Helping hand for sick kids
EHM to provide $2m top-up
Trish Barnard and Letitia Murgha work on the new science and Aboriginal
learning kits. Photo: Cheryl Robertson
24 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateHEALTH IN MINING
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Fitness formula sparks warning Tired miners turning to concoctions featuring
strong stimulants are placing themselves at
risk of health complications, writes Jan Green.
Th e inappropriate use of a pre-
workout supplement, taken to
reduce fatigue by some workers
at a Bowen Basin coal operation,
has drawn a swift response from
industry, government and the
medical profession.
Th e coal mine has banned the
use of the substance, Jack3d, and
the Department of Employment,
Economic Development and
Innovation promptly issued a
safety alert highlighting the
potentially harmful eff ects of
such supplements.
Th e safety alert notes that
Jack3d contains caff eine and
methylhexaneamine, the latter
being listed by the World Anti-
Doping Agency as a stimulant
prohibited in competition.
Th e supplement is marketed
to improve athletic performance
and is popular as a pre-workout
supplement.
Th e alert points out that
supplements such as Jack3d may:
• Increase the heart’s output
and can increase blood pressure,
• Increase the risk of
dehydration by increasing urine output, at the same time increasing the body’s internal heat load - resulting in a high risk of suff ering serious heat illness while working in the heat,
• Cause an inability to sleep if taken in excess or late in a shift,
• Result in more serious medical problems for those with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or a heart condition (particular care is needed if stimulant “soft drinks” are also consumed), and
• Not disclose the amounts of caff eine and methylhexaneamine in the recommended dose, therefore caution must be exercised if using these products.
It also recommends that safety
and health management systems at coal mines control risks associated with personal fatigue and the improper use of drugs, and that appropriate fi tness provisions to prevent fatigue be enforced.
Th ese were identifi ed as:• Working no more than the
mandated maximum number of hours for a shift,
• Resting for the appropriate number and length of breaks in a shift,
• Not exceeding the maximum number of hours to be worked in a week or roster cycle, and
• Consulting a doctor before taking any supplements.
Queensland University of Technology Professor Tony Parker, who is also a health researcher in the mining industry, said fatigue was a complex topic since both physiological and psychological factors were involved.
“Th ere have been many attempts to identify simple
solutions to control the personal and work-related factors associated with fatigue,” he said.
“Th e more eff ective fatigue management procedures are evidence-based, multi-factorial and adopt a proactive approach. Th ey should also be sensitive to the diversity in the mining workforce with variance considered across age, gender and ethnicity.
“Unfortunately fl y in-fl y out operations and rostering systems are conducive to fatigue and, in some cases, limited recovery.”
Th is showed the importance of fatigue management, including recovery while on and off roster, Prof Parker said.
“While it may be tempting to try so-called new solutions such as Jack3d and other well promoted but often non-evidence-based supplements, it is important to determine the potential adverse eff ects of these solutions by seeking advice from a medical practitioner,” he said.
Fatigue remains a vexed issue in mining. Photo: Kurhan /shutterstock.com
Sync, described as the next generation of stereo earmuff s and perfect for the mining industry, has been launched by Howard Leight.
Honeywell Safety marketing communications manager Lyn Watt said the earmuff s featured an acoustical ear cup design and volume management technology, while delivering proper levels of hearing protection – important in hazardous noise environments.
“Most stereo earmuff s used in industry today provide a moderate level of hearing protection, but often sacrifi ce the sound quality of the attached MP3 players – a factor which can discourage their use,” she said.
“In contrast, Sync stereo earmuff s optimise new designs and technologies that provide both hearing protection and listening enjoyment.
“Th e Sync provides hearing protection from
noise-induced hearing loss, as well as audio, allowing wearers to use their own MP3 player, mobile phone or other audio device while
wearing it.” Ms Watt said Sync features included:
• Protection from hazardous noise - with an SLC80 rating of 31dB Class
5, Sync provides consistent hearing protection and ensures appropriate attenuation in most industrial environments.
• Plug in and go – there are no volume knobs or power switches to
co-ordinate or batteries to replace. Ease of use is enhanced by maintaining volume
and power control through the MP3 device. • Personal listening – Sync can be used with an
MP3 player, mobile phone and other personal audio devices. Its technologically advanced acoustical bass chamber enhances bass sounds that are typically sacrifi ced in industrial stereo earmuff s.
Sync a sound investment
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Queensland’s new $600,000
mobile mine gas laboratory, able
to be rapidly deployed in the
event of an emergency, has been
hailed as the most advanced in
the world.
Mines Minister Stirling
Hinchliff e said the mobile
laboratory was developed by the
state’s Safety in Mines Testing
and Research Station (Simtars)
- recognised internationally as
a leader in cutting-edge mine
safety technology.
“And this (laboratory)
is another world fi rst,” Mr
Hinchliff e said.
“Mine disasters such as the
Pike River incident in New
Zealand show how the presence
of dangerous mine gases can
hinder rescue or recovery eff orts
after an underground mine
collapse or explosion.
“Ultra-fast mine gas sampling
and analysis can vastly improve
decision-making and save lives
during a mine emergency.
“It’s important to have the
capability to replace a mine’s
own gas monitoring system
if it is damaged, destroyed or
inadequate in an emergency.
“Th e new $600,000 mobile
mine gas laboratory can provide
gas monitoring capabilities in a
few hours rather than the two
weeks it took to complete at Pike
River.”
Mr Hinchliff e said the lab was
fully automated, self-suffi cient
for power and communications,
and able to operate in remote
locations for extended periods.
A mobile unit developed by Simtars promises
ultra-fast sampling and analysis - saving time
and, potentially, lives, writes Jan Green.
Gas lab for rapid deployment
Testing apparatus inside Queensland’s mobile gas laboratory.
“Th e laboratory can be accessed remotely via the internet, enabling operation and supervision by personnel off site,” he said.
“A 20-point tube bundle gas monitoring system and ultra-fast gas chromatograph make it the best equipped mobile gas analysis lab for mine emergency responses in the world.
“It can carry out continuous automated analysis of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
methane and oxygen levels at up to 20 monitoring locations at a mine.
“Th e ultra-fast gas chromatograph also extends the real time analysis capability to include hydrogen, nitrogen, ethylene, ethane and acetylene.
“Th is will provide critical information about gas concentrations, ratios and fl ammability needed for informed decisions about when it is safe to re-enter the mine.”
Th e mobile laboratory is
equipped with kitchen/lounge,
sleeping and bathroom facilities
separate from the monitoring
control room; allowing three
personnel to operate on site for
extended periods.
Mr Hinchliff e said the mobile
laboratory would be stationed at
the Dysart Mines Rescue Station
to be closer to the underground
coal mines of the Bowen Basin.
Dysart Mines Rescue Station
operations manager Raymond
Smith said the laboratory would
be operated by Simtars staff in
an emergency.
“However, we may assist in
taking it to aff ected coal mines,”
he said.
“It’s going to make a big
diff erence because, being self-
suffi cient, the laboratory can be
set up over a bore hole or other
entry points in remote locations
and the gas analysed on the spot.
“If necessary, it can sit there
for weeks on end, but the most
important aspects are that it
will save valuable time and,
potentially, lives.”
QAL First Response Team members conduct fi re control.
QAL team fi res up for call-outQueensland Alumina Limited’s First Response Team (FRT) doesn’t limit its skills to dealing with emergencies at the company’s alumina refi nery.
When the call came through to help control a fi re in the local area late last year, QAL’s management team relieved the FRT immediately from on-site duties to assist Gladstone’s Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS).
FRT members Glenn Butcher, Craig Bebendorf, Steve Haigh and Mick Grey put their skills in fi re control and backburning into action, arriving on the scene within two hours of the call from the QFRS.
FRT co-ordinator Craig Drew said he was very pleased QAL management acted so quickly to support the local fi re fi ghters.
“All (members of the response team) are fully
trained in fi re control and backburning and, equipped with the QAL medium pumper fi re appliance, they worked alongside QFRS crews in the Emmadale Gardens area for over fi ve hours,” he said.
“I’m proud that the team could assist the community, but also that the QFRS thinks highly enough of our team’s skills in fi re control to ask for its back-up. Our teams have done some training with QFRS fi refi ghters in the past, but being able to work alongside them in a real situation was a great learning experience for the FRT members.”
QAL’s FRT is made up of 45 volunteer employees from throughout the plant who are the fi rst to arrive on the scene of an emergency within QAL boundaries. Th ey are trained in fi rst aid, fi re control and rescue.
26 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateMINING FAMILIES
For advice, contact ourAccredited Family Law Specialists:
As parents, we have a lot of
responsibility toward our children.
We have fi nancial commitments, time
commitments and moral obligation to
raise healthy and whole individuals.
Th ese responsibilities do not however
translate into “rights” to our children.
Separated dads who have been unwillingly
estranged from their children often tell
me they have a “right” to see their kids.
Separated mums often say they have a “right”
to sole custody because they’ve always been
the primary caregiver.
In today’s enlightened world, it is children -
not parents - who have rights.
Children’s rights, enshrined in the Family
Law Act, include the right to know and be
cared for by both parents, and the right to
spend time and to communicate regularly
with both parents.
One of the stated objects of the Act is to
ensure that children have the benefi t of
both of their parents having a meaningful
involvement in their lives, to the maximum
extent consistent with the best interests of
the child.
Th ese rights refl ect current science about
children’s developmental needs. Custody is
not a term that is even used these days in our
courts, as it implies a parent has a right to
possess and make decisions for a child to the
exclusion of the child’s other parent.
Instead, we speak of “shared parental
responsibility” (decision-making) –
regardless of where the children live. We
speak of children having time with each
parent. In some cases, the children’s time
may even be divided equally between parents,
where the particular children are of an
appropriate age and the court considers it to
be in their best interests.
A tug-of-war between separated parents
standing on their own “rights” is rarely child-
focused, and is often more about unresolved
issues between the parents – for example,
wanting to be free of a former partner’s
infl uence, taking moral high ground over the
break-up, or child support concerns.
Th e law expects a lot from separated parents.
It expects a co-operative and mutually
respectful relationship as co-parents, even if
we were unable to achieve this as partners.
It expects us to stop banging on about
our “rights” in deference to the rights and
developmental needs of our children. It
expects us to act as grown-ups.
Susan Th omson is a partner in the
MacDonnells Law state-wide Family
Law team and a Queensland Law Society
Accredited Family Law Specialist. Susan
is based in the fi rm’s Cairns offi ce – email:
sthomson@macdonnells.com.au
Separated parents – a question of rights
It is normal for children to miss their parents from time to time. It is actually a sign of a healthy relationship, according to Mining Family Matters resident psychologist Angie Willcocks.
Ms Willcocks said while children could become anxious when parents worked away, it was possible to ensure they were not adversely aff ected by fl y in-fl y out (FIFO) or drive in-drive out (DIDO) rosters.
Symptoms of anxiety ranged from mild feelings of discomfort to intense panic, she said.
Behaviours included excessive clinging and shyness, repeatedly waking in the night or appearing to go backwards in development.
Ms Willcocks suggested the following strategies for children missing dad or mum, feeling sad or showing more worrying signs of anxiety:
• Allow your child to talk about it. Avoid saying things like “be brave” as they might begin to hide feelings from you. Th en ask: “Can you think of anything that might help you feel a bit better?” Drawing a special picture or playing a game might help. Th is shows it’s good to chat about feelings, but also to shift sad thoughts.
• Ask: “What upsets you about mummy/daddy going away?” and off er truthful answers instead of vague assurances. For example, if your child is worried about safety, discuss all the equipment that is worn, rather than just saying “I’ll be fi ne”.
• Always say mum/dad is “go -
ing to work” instead of “going away”. Kids are very literal. Get out a map to explain how far away you work.
• When you’re home, make a special card as a reminder of your bond. Something small is great because it can be carried around.
When it comes to reducing the impacts of mining rosters on teenagers, communication and connection are paramount.
“Contrary to popular belief, most teenagers do want good relationships but often lack the skills to make it happen,” Ms
Willcocks said. “Be available while you’re away. Leave thoughtful messages, especially if you’re away for big events.
“When you’re home, create multiple opportunities for
conversation by helping with homework or doing the driving.
“Above all, don’t fall into the trap of ‘not knowing’ what is going on with your children, just because you work away.
“Put in some eff ort and reap the rewards.”
Ms Willcocks provides advice on mining life on the Mining Family Matters website at www.miningfm.com.au
There are many good strategies FIFO families
can use to overcome the downsides of work-
related absences, a psychologist advises.
Curb childrens’ goodbye blues
Angie Willcockspsychologist
27The Mining Advocate | March 2012 WET SEASON
Xylem. Our name may be new. But our reputation is built on nearly a century of leadership and value creation for our stakeholders.
Xylem — a premium applications solutions company dedicated exclusively to solving our customers’ most challenging water problems — was formed from ITT Corporation’s spinoff of several strategic business segments in November 2011, namely the Water & Wastewater, Residential & Commercial Water, Analytics and Flow Control businesses.
As a stand-alone company, we are a world leader in water technology, providing equipment and services for water and wastewater applications with a broad portfolio of products and services that address the full cycle of water — from collection, distribution and use to its return to the environment.
Our strong product brands will continue to drive our business forward in moving, testing, analyzing and treating water, and are the essential building blocks of the Xylem brand. With decades of leadership in their categories, these brands are at the core of who we are, and each is part of the new, revitalized future we’re creating together at Xylem. We will retain all of our industry leading product brands including Flygt, Godwin, Leopold, Sanitaire and Wedeco which will continue to be available through our sales, rental and service networks.
With greater strategic focus than ever before, a strong and experienced leadership team, a high-performance company culture and a clear plan for short- and long-term growth globally, we are building on the strength of our history to deliver a higher level of customer service, innovation and value — today and well into the future.
13 19 14 enquiry.au@xyleminc.com
Gas companies have chipped in to assist communities battling fl ooding in the Roma region.
Santos personnel worked closely with the Maranoa Regional Council to support emergency response and clean-up eff orts.
“During the emergency response we provided the use of our new four-wheel drive bus, 4WD vehicles, helicopters and around 60 employees and contractors to help evacuate residents,” a company spokeswoman said.
“In the clean-up eff orts, we had a team of up to 60 people on the ground working to help the local community in Roma and Mitchell and made our fi re-fi ghting
vehicles, mobile vacuum unit, portable water pressure cleaners, sucker trucks, bobcat, tipper and various other cleaning equipment available.”
Th e Santos spokeswoman said no company equipment or facilities had been aff ected by the fl ooding experienced in the Maranoa region, although some drilling activity was suspended due to access issues.
An Origin spokesman said the wet season had no impact on that organisation’s operations, leaving personnel free to work with the Maranoa Regional Council in assisting the people of Roma and Mitchell to deal with fl ooding.
Th e Central Highlands has so far been spared a repeat of the 2008 and 2010 deluges which took a huge toll on businesses and families in that district.
Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) fl ood recovery co-ordinator Lyle Harman said some rural properties suff ered slight inundation and damage in the months up to March, but nothing on the scale of the two previous major events.
Minimal fl ooding has occurred in the Nogoa and Comet rivers.
“Also, there was some inundation of a few properties in the gemfi elds area at Rubyvale and Sapphire, but again no major damage was reported,” Mr Harman said.
“But we know we can’t be complacent and so the CHRC has gone to considerable lengths
to prepare the community for future fl ood events. To keep on top of what’s happening, we actively
The bulk of the wet season has passed with minor
fl ooding on the Central Highlands, but help has
been needed in Queensland’s south-west.
Resource workers rally to aid towns
Xstrata Copper’s Ernest Henry Mining operations are back to normal after signifi cant rainfall caused downtime in late January.
When 178mm of rain fell in a 24-hour period on January 27-28, EHM temporarily suspended underground and surface operations to ensure the safety of employees.
While most areas were brought back online within 24 hours, fl ooding caused some damage to critical processing equipment in the concentrator, the company said.
“We took the opportunity to commence a maintenance shutdown in our concentrator on February 1 that had been planned to commence later in the month so we could reduce the amount of downtime in the plant,” general manager Myles Johnston said.
“Th e shutdown went well and, once all works were completed, we recommenced full concentrator operations on February 6.
“All teams responded well to the rain event, prioritising safety whilst working to minimise downtime, and I’m pleased to say we don’t expect impacts on our 2012 production profi le as we plan to make up any shortfall resulting from this event throughout the remainder of the year.”
Downpour downtime
Central Highlands Regional Council flood recovery co-ordinator Lyle Harman
at the Nogoa River, Emerald.
monitor the weather conditions
and water catchments throughout
the region and we urge everyone in
the community to visit our Flood
Smart, Flood Ready website.”
Th e comparatively mild wet
season in the Central Highlands
meant mining companies had
not been called on to take part in
clean-up eff orts there, according to
Mr Harman.
“During the last big 2010/11
fl ood, all the mining companies
in the region got in and helped
residents do the initial clean-out of
their premises,” Mr Harman said.
“It was a magnifi cent eff ort and
without their help the clean-up
operation would have taken much
longer.
“Th ankfully, we haven’t had to
call on their services at all this
wet season but, with the current
weather patterns the way they are,
we do need to remain vigilant.”
Santos employees lend a hand after fl ooding in Roma.
28 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateDRILLING AND EXPLORATION
A 31 Hempenstall St, Nth Rockhampton Q 4701 E rockhampton@drillmining.com.au www.dri l lmining.com.auT 07 4926 3622
HWT Casing - 3m & 6m lengths
Stock available for immediate delivery
Sovereign risk status in doubtGovernment policy moves have raised concerns
over the scales being tipped against mineral
exploration in Queensland, writes Jan Green.
Where exploration is concerned, Australia, its states and territories, trade on minimal sovereign risk potential, according to McCullough Robertson lawyers partner Dominic McGann.
However, he believes that recent Queensland events cast doubt on this assumption.
Mr McGann said also that for governments to attain a strategic and immediate balance, a range of competing interests must be weighed up.
Th ese included the need for revenue and employment through continued economic growth on the one hand and the need to manage and protect the environment and the impact of change upon communities on the other.
“Only time will tell whether or not the Bligh Government has correctly achieved that balance,” he said. “However, for now, as far as explorers are concerned, four events have undoubtedly aff ected a tipping of those scales.”
Th e introduction of a new land access framework meant explorers no longer had a right to obtain access on the understanding they would conduct themselves in a fair and reasonable manner, he said.
“Now, explorers must fi rst negotiate conduct and compensation agreements before starting exploration,” Mr McGann said.
“In the abstract this seems appropriate, but the change has been signifi cant and aff ected all explorers, irrespective of their activities to date. Also, there is no doubt that the pace of exploration has slowed as a consequence - primarily through the intervention of advisers whose fees are often
greater than any compensation otherwise payable by explorers to landholders.”
Mr McGann identifi ed the introduction of restricted areas around communities as the second issue.
“Th e process by which a judgment is made about competing benefi ts and eff ects on communities, that is the impact assessment process, had not previously come in for criticism,” he said. “So RA 384 seemed to be more about political change as opposed to fi xing something that was broken.”
Th irdly, he said the implementation of the Wild Rivers regime would put large areas of Queensland into an exploration and project moratorium.
“Fourth and fi nally, the existing mantra of ‘use it or lose it’ continues unabashed,” Mr McGann said.
“Th is policy has, as its purpose, the legitimate intention of ensuring that explorers do not ‘sit on’ valuable tenements.
“Importantly, however, if an exploration permit isn’t used for any of the previously mentioned reasons, the permit holder must justify why it should not be forfeited.
“In short, the sidelines have been narrowed mid-game but the referee continues to apply the same rules when greater fl exibility to accommodate the changes brought about seems obviously necessary.
“As noted, time will tell whether the new order is the correct one. But that said, experience to date suggests that refi nement on all four issues is essential and before it is too late.”
Mines Minister Stirling Hinchliff e said the policies and legislative measures being implemented by the Queensland
Government refl ected community expectations and would provide clarity and certainty for investment decisions.
Following the introduction of the land access framework in late 2010, explorers operating under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 were allowed time to adjust to the new process, he said.
“Th e government also commissioned an independent review of the land access framework to ensure it is functioning eff ectively and does not have any unintended consequences,” Mr Hinchliff e said.
“Th e panel is due to report to the government soon with its fi ndings and any recommendations to improve the land access framework for both industry and landholders.”
Commenting on the introduction of restricted areas around communities, Mr Hinchliff e said while resource
related activities would be prohibited in Urban Restricted Areas (URA), any resource company not happy with the local government decision could refer the matter to the Land Court.
He said the government recognised that Wild River declarations would impact some mining and petroleum projects.
“However, a Wild River declaration does not seek to prevent mining activity, but may vary some environmental requirements depending on the footprint of the development and the natural sensitivity of the area in which the project is located,” Mr Hinchliff e said.
Regarding the requirement to relinquish tenures under certain circumstances, he said there was opportunity for companies to make submissions if there were legitimate reasons that impacted on delivering individual work programs.
Dominic McGannMcCullough Robertson lawyers
partner
A new drilling test rig capable of testing motors prior to fi nal assembly as well as complete mobile drilling rigs is, as far as its designers are aware, the fi rst of its kind for the mining industry.
Froude Hofmann and its subsidiary Go Power Systems, which specialises in engine testing systems, developed the rig for Boart Longyear.
Froude Hofmann chairman John Harris said the system allowed customer rigs to be carefully load tested in the refurbishment process.
“Given the remote locations in which rigs operate, the ability to load test at the shop greatly reduces the risk of unwanted downtime when the rigs return to service,” he said.
“With the new Froude Hofmann dynamometer system, sub-assemblies can be full load tested prior to fi nal assembly, which improves the build process.
“Load testing and data acquisition can be carried out on the complete rig, collecting information such as bearing temperature, oil pressures and load charts which the test system can provide in an automated and repeatable manner.”
A Boart Longyear spokesperson said the system was also used in the new product development process to thoroughly test prototype rigs before sending them to fi eld test. “Th is capability is part of our accelerated new product development process,” he said.
Just the thing for testing times
The new Froude Hofmann drill load
testing dynamometer being installed
at Boart Longyear, Adelaide.
29The Mining Advocate | March 2012 MATERIALS HANDLING
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Truckless mining options - using equipment such as mobile mining machines and conveyors - may prove considerably cheaper over life of mine than traditional methods, despite being typically more capital intensive, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) research shows.
However, SKM integrated mining systems manager David Morrison stressed the
importance of components of the truckless system being carefully selected to suit the specifi c ore body.
Mr Morrison co-authored the research paper “Economic assessment of truckless mining prospect” with SKM colleagues Ivy Lourel and Joanne Gardiner.
Th ey found that as capital costs could be off set by reduced operating costs and
Recent research has examined the dollars
and cents involved in diff erent bulk material
movement systems, writes Jan Green.
Truckless mining cost equations
Left - a graphic representation of a
mining bench.
A spreader working on a waste dump.
total throughput, depending on the mine life and layout, a truckless mining option may be considerably cheaper over the life of a mine than haul truck operations.
A truckless system was inherently less fl exible than a trucking operation - even though the conveyors and transfer stations may all be made fully relocatable, Mr Morrison said.
It would still carry signifi cant re-deployment costs and downtime when attempting to replicate trucking operations, such as adapting to changes in the mine plan and dump placement, he said.
Th ese costs could be considerable and could quickly erode any operating cost benefi t.
“For that reason, no two truckless systems are the same: the mining equipment, crusher/sizer, conveyers and spreaders all need to be carefully selected to suit the specifi c ore body,” Mr Morrison said.
Mr Morrison said any economic assessment
needed to refl ect the project implementation and planning aspects that specifi cally related to the entire life cycle of a truckless project.
Th ese include:• Lead time of major
equipment and whether the planned production schedule can be safely met,
• Greenhouse gas emission and environmental costs,
• Electrical infrastructure availability and price of electrical power,
• Availability of skilled resource and operational training,
• Contract and project strategies,
• Site and construction supervision required.
“At the three stages of project assessment - deciding whether to go truckless, then checking the engineering feasibility and selecting potential equipment, and fi nally developing the chosen option - an economic model of the capital and operating expenditure must be
developed, incorporating all of
the available engineering details,”
Mr Morrison said.
“Finally, it must be based
on the labour, maintenance
materials and energy
requirements so the sensitivity
of the economic return can be
understood.
“Major operating expenditures
also need to be recognised
and included; those associated
with non-routine events such
as plant shutdowns, moving
the equipment to a diff erent
horizon or diff erent pit, dump
site relocation and, lastly, system
reconfi gurations and rebuilds.
“Th e details that go into the
life of mine cost estimates are
fundamentally dependent on the
level of engineering expended in
understanding these infl uences,
and require considerable
input from the owner on the
contracting methodologies and
the level of off -site support
intended to be engaged.
“Only then can an investment
decision be made.”
John Holland has won a $220 million contract to build
stage 1 stockyard works for the Wiggins Island Coal Export
Terminal (WICET) at Golding Point, Gladstone.
Construction installation works will begin late in 2012,
with completion expected in early 2014.
John Holland Group managing director Glenn Palin said
the WICET contract built on his organisation’s extensive
experience and specialist skills in the development of large-
scale materials handling infrastructure.
Th e WICET project is owned and being developed by
existing and potential coal exporters in Queensland to provide
increased long-term coal export capacity.
Stage 1 of the WICET has a contracted annual coal export
capacity of 27 million tonnes.
When fully developed, the terminal is expected to provide
more than 80 million tonnes per annum of additional coal
export capacity through the Port of Gladstone.
Stockyard works awarded
30 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateSHUTDOWNS
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Even short shutdowns can cost mining companies millions of dollars, so effi cient shutdown teams are highly valued in the resources industry.
In most cases, shutdown teams are individually recruited through labour hire organisations.
However, Wulguru Steel Group maintains a team to take on a wide variety of jobs at any time.
“Our team covers the full shutdown spectrum and includes boilermakers, fi tters, riggers, crane drivers and welders as well as design, engineering, fabrication and surface protection capabilities,” Wulguru Steel project manager Richard Toigo said.
“So, when we are notifi ed of a job, we
determine what’s needed then assign the appropriate resources.
“We can control all aspects of a shutdown, which provides our clients with peace of mind and ease of project control.”
Wulguru Steel has three Queensland workshops with a combined workforce of more than 100.
“When not working on shutdowns, our men are employed in our workshops in Townsville, Charters Towers and Brisbane,” Mr Toigo said.
“So we have a guaranteed source of experienced workers we and the mining industry can rely on all the time.”
Th e bulk of Wulguru Steel Group’s shutdown work is done in the North
Queensland/Mount Isa area, where the company has worked for most of the major mining companies.
“When we are approached by our clients, the fi rst thing we do is assess the type of job and the labour and skills required. We then appoint a project leader and team most suited to the particular job,” Mr Toigo said.
“With a lot of shutdown jobs there may be several work fronts at any one time. Th e team would then be broken up into diff erent areas so a number of people look after diff erent aspects of the task.
“Generally, however, the confi guration of one or more of the groups is mainly of riggers, scaff olders,
boilermakers, fi tters and welders and a
leader/supervisor.”
Mr Toigo said Wulguru Steel
Group did mainly mechanical work
that involved jobs such as removing
and replacing chutes, relining chutes,
structural installation and piping.
Th e group has a specialised team of
fabricators and coded pipe welders who
undertake jobs on pipes ranging from
25mm to 1m in diameter.
“Depending on the mine and the
harshness of the product pushing
through, the piping can last from just a
few months up to a couple of years,” Mr
Toigo said.
Wulguru team on tap for tidy turnarounds
Australia’s largest zinc mine held one of the biggest shutdowns in the operation’s history in late January.
At the peak of the 150-hour shutdown, more than 250 contractors were on site to assist in conducting maintenance work on the processing plant at MMG Century’s Lawn Hill site.
Th e expertise and support of more than 15 contracting companies were called upon during the shutdown.
New MMG Century general manager Mark Adams said more
than 17,000 work hours were scheduled into the six-and-a-half-day shutdown.
“Our team, supported by specialist contracting companies, safely completed a number of complex, critical jobs as well as other maintenance jobs during the shutdown,” he said.
Th is was based around the major reline of Century’s SAG (semi-autogenous grinding) mill, while other major critical tasks included the refurbishment of fl oat cells and signifi cant maintenance of the SAG mill
Smooth running
for mill overhaul motor transformer. More than 850 other maintenance tasks were also carried out.
Mr Adams said that eff ective co-ordination was the key to the successful January shutdown.
“Th e key to a successful shutdown at any operation is being able to eff ectively co-ordinate tasks, teams and resources to safely do what you need to do during the time available,” he said.
“Th is was my fi rst shutdown as general manager of Century and I was impressed by the way our teams stayed focused and worked together.
“While our maintenance teams did a fantastic job, it’s important to remember the hard
work of the many personnel who support our operations.
“For example, our village support services provider ESS cooked up more than 15,000 meals and serviced about 750 rooms during the shutdown period.”
Shutdown activities were completed at Century’s dewatering and shipping facility at Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria in February.
Th e next shutdown at MMG Century Mine is scheduled for the middle of the year.
The concentrator structure at MMG Century in the lower Gulf region.
More than 250 contractors joined the team at
MMG Century Mine during a recent week-long
maintenance outage, writes Jan Green.
31The Mining Advocate | March 2012 LIVING REMOTELY
Boost for Hutchinson BuildersA Toowoomba-based modular production
facility is among the winners as major gas
players tee up accommodation packages.
Australia Pacifi c LNG has
awarded Hutchinson Builders
a $51.7 million contract to
supply and install 700 modular
accommodation units and
support buildings at the
Condabri and Reedy Creek
gas fi elds near Miles and at
Wallumbilla east of Roma.
Th ey will include mess halls,
administration buildings,
kitchens, laundry and other
facilities to accommodate the
needs of the personnel expected
to reside there during the
construction phase of the project.
Hutchinson Builders
Toowoomba area manager
Robert Weymouth said his
organisation had extensive
experience in delivering
prefabricated accommodation
facilities for major infrastructure
projects of this scale to remote
areas.
As a result of the contract, the
company has created 120 new
local jobs and recently expanded
its Toowoomba modular
production facility.
“We will deliver the complete
building package for the project
including civil site works,
reverse osmosis water treatment
plants, a sewage treatment plant
and generator sets for power,
and will install the modular
accommodation on site,” Mr
Weymouth said.
Bechtel has appointed
Leighton Contractors to
construct the $84 million
temporary accom modation
village on Curtis Island,
Gladstone, for the Australian
Pacifi c LNG project.
Leighton Contractors said a
project team had commenced
mobilisation to start construction
on the greenfi eld site, which will
house a fully-equipped 2600-bed village as well as landscaping and leisure facilities.
Leighton Contractors will also construct roads, services and other infrastructure to support the facility. Th e project is due for completion in 2013.
Meanwhile, QGC has awarded a $45 million management and maintenance contract to Spotless Group for two construction worker villages 40km west of Dalby and 30km south-west of Wandoan in the Surat Basin.
Th e villages are expected to support 1650 people working on the Queensland Curtis LNG project and employ 140 Spotless staff at full capacity.
Spotless Group managing director and chief executive Josef Farnik said the company would seek local food supplies and labour where possible.
Th e contract starts in April and runs until the end of 2014.
Hutchinson Builders has expanded
its Toowoomba modular production
complex. Photo: LucyRC Photography
Innovative precast dwellings have been put forward as one solution to the chronic housing shortage and lack of qualifi ed tradespeople in remote mining areas.
Murtro Precast’s quick-to-erect systems are custom-made to individual requirements and eliminate the need for several key trades that can bottleneck house building.
“Using our precast sections, house foundations can be set up with minimal eff ort and the panels erected usually in one day, leaving internal areas pre-formed for plumbers and concreters,” Murtro business development spokesperson George Fitos said.
“Th e specialist trailer delivery
systems also limit crane use and contribute to a signifi cant reduction in risk during lifting and erecting.
“Once the main slab is poured, no stripping or remediation work is usually needed as all external walls act as form work. Works can move right into achieving lock-up, which is the ultimate goal in tropical areas where weather delays can contribute to a 30 per cent downtime.
“Specialised roof truss connectors make placing the trusses a breeze and fully fl exible for positioning. From here roofers can usually start roofi ng within a day, thus reducing another major time factor.”
Mr Fitos said windows and
door frames were fi tted into pre-made openings during the roofi ng stages.
“At this stage, lock-up is usually achieved and the internal fi t-out can begin,” he said.
“With careful planning, all services can be run in special rebates cast into the precast walls, a factor which limits the need for excess materials and wastage during this costly and time-consuming task.”
Precast houses can be stored at the factory without the need for weather protection for as long as required – overcoming timing and supply problems.
“With production ramping up and housing shortages rising in remote mining and coastal areas,
precast lends itself to planned and programmed const ruction, usually only applied to larger commercial projects - if approach ed correctly,” Mr Fitos said. “Using mass production and fl ow techniques, multiple housing developments
can be completed with minimal resources which are so often hard to fi nd in remote areas.
“Th is, coupled with the minimal need for multiple products and job steps, makes precast a safe, timely and aff ordable alternative.”
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33The Mining Advocate | March 2012 BUILDING NW QUEENSLAND
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Source of satisfaction for PyesThe appeal of the north-west Queensland
lifestyle has drawn this young family back
from the south, writes Jan Green.
Karen and Sam Pye returned to Mount Isa for the second time two years ago and both are fi rmly convinced it’s the only place to live.
Mr Pye originally comes from Inverell in New South Wales and Mrs Pye from Phillip Island, Victoria.
Th e couple met in Mount Isa in 1999 and were married there in 2003 before moving to Inverell, where they had their children - Seth, 7, Max , 6, Violet, 4, and Jasmine, 3.
Th ey returned to Mount Isa in 2008 when Mr Pye, a diesel fi tter, was off ered a maintenance contract with a local company.
“I love the fact that if you want to get somewhere in life, set yourself up for life and are prepared to work hard, Mount Isa is the place to do it,” Mr Pye said.
Th e couple bought their fi rst
house not long after they met and, such is their belief in the town, they’ve subsequently invested in other property.
“We’ve always loved living in Isa and are really pleased to be back again,” Mr Pye said.
“We were fortunate because, through the acquaintances we made when we lived here previously, we were given the opportunity to come back and surge ahead.
“We also like the fact there are so many other young families in the same boat as us in Mount Isa.
“Karen and I have a great social life and so do the kids. Our friends have lots of children and so ours are always going to birthday parties on the weekends.
“We hardly ever see them,” he joked.
Mrs Pye shares her husband’s sentiments.
“Mount Isa is a lovely place to
live. Th e children are very happy
and settled in a good school and
we have lots of friends and a
great social life,” she said.
“I also work - only three days a
week - just during school hours,
so that works out really well.”
Because the Pye family is so
happy with their situation and
what they are confi dent is a
promising future, they have no
intention of moving from Mount
Isa anytime soon.
“Th e education and career
opportunities for the children
down the track are excellent and
the town itself is a great place to
work and live in,” Mrs Pye said.
“We like the relaxed, friendly,
informal aspects of Mount Isa
and the fact it takes only a short
time to get anywhere in the
town.”
The Pye family - Sam, Violet, Max, Karen, Jasmine and Seth - love living in Mount Isa. Photo: Roslyn Budd
A mining career was the last thing fi rst-class
honours graduate Monica Joseph considered
prior to embarking on her university course
in engineering.
However, the Xstrata MICO infrastructure
electrical communications engineer enjoys
an interesting job which allows her to play a
role in the development of Xstrata and the
Mount Isa region.
A semester prac - which involved research
in the mining industry - alerted her to the
job and travel opportunities as well as the
variety of roles available.
On completing her fi rst degree, Ms Joseph
successfully applied for admittance to the
Xstrata graduate program, which she worked
on for two years.
“I’m now in my fi fth year with the
organisation and recently completed my
masters of engineering management,”
she said. “I also have a bachelor in
microelectronic engineering, majoring in
communications.”
She thrives on the day-to-day challenges
her job brings and identifi ed breakdowns as
some of the most interesting.
“Working out what the cause is and
coming up with a solution as quickly as
possible is critical so there’s a great sense of
satisfaction when that’s achieved,” she said.
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Vermeer takes it to a new levelWith features such as a more effi cient drum
drive system, it is time to meet the T1255’s
big brother, writes Jan Green.
Th e Vermeer T1255 terrain leveller, well established in Australia and overseas, is dwarfed by its successor - the T1655 - which has recently gone into production.
However, Vermeer sales and service national manager for mining Craig Batten stressed the T1655 wasn’t just a scaled up T1255.
It had a more effi cient drum drive system, integral dust extraction system and the cab comfort was excellent, he said.
While most of the terrain leveller fl eet worked in iron ore leases, the equipment off ered viable solutions to problems outside seam mining, Mr Batten said.
Both machines are capable of operations such as drill preparation, haul road maintenance and the excavation of coal seam intrusions.
With some drilling preparation, material is transported to the drill site and levelled to provide a built-up pad for the rig to work from.
However, with their tilting drums, the T1255 and T1655 Vermeer terrain levellers can excavate a pad in hard rock, with the milled material being a suitable size for use on haul and access roads.
Haul road maintenance and tyre pressure monitoring are key means of controlling tyre costs.
While the T1255 can’t assist
in tyre pressure monitoring, it can mill haul roads to produce an even, textured surface.
Th e milled material is of a compactable size, suitable for road surface usage.
Ensuring an even depth for even compaction avoids the creation of weak spots, which can ultimately pothole.
Frequently, in established mine pits, the best seams have been mined with the remaining coal in thin or steeply dipping seams, or seams with problem areas such as rock intrusions.
In the past these have often been diffi cult to mine using conventional methods so coal has been left in the ground.
But as the T1255 has the ability to vary the depth of cut and side tilt of the drum, it’s comparatively straightforward to mine the coal - even in problem areas - while minimising contamination with other material.
Because milled material is left on the ground where it was cut, foreign material is not dispersed through the coal.
Consequently, it can generally be identifi ed by colour and selectively removed by wheel loader or excavator.
Th is also minimises problems for the wash plant.
Mr Batten said the T1255 could also assist start-up mines to avoid “cash burn” prior to generating income by assisting in developing site access roads, hard pad stands, drill pads, the
pit and associated haul roads.“Th is is in addition to its
capabilities as the primary
excavation machine,” he said.“So even though production
of the T1655 is being stepped
up, its little brother the T1255 does - and will continue to do - an excellent job.”
The Vermeer T1655 terrain leveller in action.
At a glance
T1255 T1655
Operating
weight109 tonnes 181tonnes
Power 447kW 2 x 447kW
Drum
width3.7m 4.6m
Max. cut
depth61cm 76cm Ph (07) 4787 3111 A/H 0429 497 395
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Autonomous haulage systems
(AHS), also known as driverless
trucks, are being hailed as the
way of the future for the mining
industry.
Manufacturer Komatsu
Limited and mining giant Rio
Tinto say the trucks, described
as next-generation technologies,
will reduce costs and increase
effi ciency as well as improving
health, safety and environmental
performance.
Rio Tinto owns the world’s
largest fl eet of the vehicles after
signing a deal to buy at least 150
from Komatsu over the next four
years. Th e new trucks are arriving
from this year for use in Rio
Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore mines.
Th ey can be controlled from
the company’s Perth operations
Manufacturer Komatsu and resources giant
Rio Tinto discuss the technologies said to be
revolutionising large-scale mining operations.
Fleets of
the future
hit our pitscentre more than 1500km away,
which integrates and manages
the logistics of 14 mines, three
ports and two railways.
“Implementing autonomous
haulage on this scale means
more material can be moved
more quickly and safely, creating
a direct increase in productivity,”
Rio Tinto chief executive Tom
Albanese said.
“Th ese technologies are
revolutionising the way large-
scale mining is done, creating
attractive hi-tech jobs, and
helping us to improve safety and
environmental performance and
reduce carbon emissions.”
Komatsu Australian managing
director Sean Taylor described
the organisation’s AHS as a
comprehensive fl eet management
system for mines.
“Th e dump trucks, equipped
with vehicle controllers, a high-
precision global positioning
system (GPS), an obstacle
detection system and a wireless
network system, are operated
and controlled via a supervisory
computer, enabling them to be
unmanned,” Mr Taylor said.
“Information on target course
and speed is sent wirelessly from
the supervisory computer to the
driverless dump trucks while the
GPS is used to ascertain their
position.
“When loading, the dump
trucks are automatically guided
to the loading spot after
computing the position of
the bucket of the GPS-fi tted
hydraulic excavator or wheel
loader.
“Th e supervisory computer also
sends information on a specifi c
course to the dumping spot.
“From a safety perspective,
the fl eet control system prevents
collisions with other dump
trucks, service vehicles or other
equipment at the mining site.”
Mr Taylor said the vehicles
would reduce speed or stop
immediately if an obstacle
detection system detected
another vehicle or person inside
the hauling course under AHS
operation, making the system
extremely safe and reliable.
By optimising operations,
the system also contributed to
reducing maintenance costs,
conserving energy and curbing
CO2 emissions, he said.
Driverless trucks – the next-generation technologies being harnessed by the
mining industry. Photo: Christian Sprogoe
Th e innovative EcoPlough is suitable for
a wide variety of applications in industries
including mining.
It uses a specially designed vibratory
plough blade, pulled through the ground
at a pre-set depth of up to 2m.
Th e system - developed in-house by
Underground Services Australia - can
install power, gas, telecommunications,
water and wastewater pipes, and
cables up to 315mm in diameter.Multiple combinations of power and communications cabling can be installed simultaneously in single runs.
Welding of pipes is carried out in front of the unit with the jointing of cables - fed from the cable drives - performed behind the plough.
An automatic, patented sanding hopper attached to the plough blade delivers clean sand 150-200mm below, 100mm above and 75mm to the side of cables or conduit. Danger tape is automatically placed at the top of the corridor in the same pass.
An on-board GPS linked to two base stations – providing a range up to 10km - also displays the alignment and maps the depth and positioning of the pipes or cables being installed.
Underground Services Australia
business improvement manager Goran
Utjesinovic said the EcoPlough was 40 per
cent more effi cient than conventional
open excavation trenching and backfi lling,
making it more economical.
It allowed an installation rate of up to
1000m per hour for production rates of
10km per day, helping to signifi cantly
reduce construction periods, he said.
Th e trenchless system and its maximum
4m track width also provides for reduced
environmental impact, with only minimal
clearing or topsoil disturbance required.
Mr Utjesinovic said worksite safety was
improved as well, with fewer workers and
on-site tasks required.
Sites were pre-conditioned prior to
ploughing, with solid rock ripped with a
D10 dozer, he said.
EcoPlough promises economic trenching
The EcoPlough is more effi cient than conventional open-excavation trenching, its manufacturers say.
36 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
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Starring role behind the seamsCaterpillar has produced a coal mining system
with features including an average output of
27-36 tonnes per man-hour, writes Jan Green.
Th e Cat HW300 highwall
mining system is a self-propelled
machine that extracts coal from
outcropping seams by driving
an unmanned continuous miner
underground.
Th e machine stands on the pit
fl oor or on benches as narrow
as 18m directly in front of the
exposed seam. It makes long
parallel rectangular drives into
the coal seam.
A remotely operated cutter
module is pushed into the seam
by a string of push beams that
transport the mined coal back
to the entry of the drive to a
conveyor system to discharge
coal to stockpiles.
Th e system can produce
40,000-110,000 tonnes of coal
per month, depending on seam
height, and averages 27 to 36
tonnes per man-hour.
It is controlled by an operator
from an airconditioned cab that
off ers a full view of the mining
operation and the highwall.
A full-suspension operator
seat and two user-friendly
touch-screens provide an
ergonomic workplace with all
controls and system information
at the operator’s fi ngertips.
Th e cutting cycle is highly
automated, yet allows the
operator to manually make
adjustments as the coal seam
varies.
For accurate guidance in a
vertical direction, an optional
gamma ray detection system is
available. For making straight,
parallel drives, an accurate fi bre-
optic, gyro-based navigation
and steering system provides
automatic cutter head steering
and cutter module location data.
Caterpillar off ers two electric
cutter modules: a low-seam
cutter for seams about 0.8–1.5m
in height and a high-seam cutter
module for 1.2–3m seams.
Th e power head drives the
cutter module and push beam
string forward using two
hydraulically-powered sump
cylinders with a 6.85m stroke.
A pushing force of 136 tonnes
propels the cutter module to
depths of more than 300m. A
pulling force of 270 tonnes is
available to retract.
Push beams are 6.1m long
steel box structures joined
together to a string. Th is string
is the backbone of the machine,
pushing and pulling the cutter
module in and out of the
highwall.
It uses screw conveyors
inside the beams to transport
the mined coal. Th ese screw
conveyors are mechanically
connected between each beam
and driven by two 300kW
electric motors on the power
head.
Th e Cat HW300 highwall
mining system trams easily from
entry to entry and four heavy-
duty, hydraulically-powered
tracks can rotate the machine
360 degrees.
The self-propelled continuous miner from Caterpillar can produce up to
110,000 tonnes of coal per month.
new-generation underground
machine capable of automated
remote control.
Powered by a Volvo TAD
1361VE engine rated at 285kW,
it has a tramming capacity of
17.2 tonnes.
Th e LH517 can handle bucket
sizes from 6.5-8.6 cubic metres,
with a unique design that allows
a full bucket to be loaded in a
single pass, while still achieving
high bucket-fi ll factors.
“Its compact size – it measures
11.12m long by 3m wide by
2.75m high – allows it to
work in confi ned spaces, while
its low operating weight of
44 tonnes unladen results in a
high power-to-weight ratio, as
well as increased tyre life and
reduced fuel consumption,” Mr
Redmond said.
“Other features include a
strengthened operator’s cabin
with effi cient airconditioning,
fully adjustable seat and controls,
and a single all-in-one digital
display which interfaces with
the Sandvik on-board vehicle
control and management system.
“Servicing and maintenance
is made easier and safer through
ground level daily service points,
three-point mounting and fall-
protection systems. A built-in
fi re suppression system reduces
the risk of fi re, protecting the
operator and surrounding
workers.”
Mr Redmond said the LH517
was fully compatible with
Sandvik’s AutoMine automated
loading and hauling system for
underground hard rock mining.
During 2011, Sandvik Mining
was awarded a contract for
the supply of 14 LH517s to
Newcrest Mining’s Cadia East
mine near Orange in NSW.
Th e units are being supplied
with AutoMine capability, as
has been deployed at Newcrest’s
Ridgeway Deeps project (also
near Orange).
Mr Redmond said other
LH517 users in Australia
included Australian Contract
Mining, Perilya, Byrnecut
Australia and Barrick Gold.These compact underground machines can work in small spaces.
Sandvik Mining’s LH517 off ers improved safety and higher productivity than previous models through its use of redesigned hydraulic and
electronic systems, according to company sales manager Tim Redmond.
Th is LHD (load-haul-dump) is a high capacity
Underground movement with plenty of might
VERMEER ADDS A MEASURE OF PRECISION TO SURFACE MINING. Whether you’refacing the hassles of blasting or hammering, Vermeer and our global dealer network will be right besideyou. We know the conditions you face are demanding — that’s why we make sure our equipment is up tothe task. The Vermeer Terrain Leveler® surface excavation machine helps you get more value from themine, while reducing the need for costly support equipment. So when it’s tough going out there, look toVermeer — the trusted name for proven equipment and reliable support.
YOUR SURFACEMINING SOLUTION
QLD 1800 620 720 . NSW 1800 680 620 . VIC 1800 776 660 . SA 1800 444 394 (www.vermeer.com.au)WA/NT 1800 195 558 (www.vermeerwa.com.au)
Vermeer and the Vermeer logo are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the United States and / or other countries.© 2012 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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NISSAN MINING FLEET.WE KNOW THE DRILL.
Rugged, reliable and ready to roll. These qualities have earned Patrol Cab Chassis and Navara a
place in some of Australia’s hardest working fleets. At Nissan Fleet, our vision is to become Australia’s
fleet manufacturer of choice, by providing unrivalled quality, the highest quality sales experience
and customer support. We strive to achieve this by providing a range of vehicles that will meet the
stringent demands of everyday operation for all fleet users. Making it easier to shift your Fleet.
CONTACT DETAILS
Contact Joeanne Fox
Northern State Fleet Manager
0414 625 468
Joeanne_fox@nissan.com.au
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