March 2012

Supporting mining and industry in Queensland and the NTSupporting mining and industry in Queensland and the NT Experience the Break you Deserve!

AirlieBeach.comWhitsundays Central Reservation Centre1800 677 119 www.airliebeach.com

CALL 131 228www.hastingsdeering.com.au

LABOUR HIRE | CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE | HEAVY ENGINEERING

www.dawsonseng.com.au

| RTO#32461

Whether you have only one staff member requiring training or a whole class – we can tailor the training and courses to suit your needs. We offer a range of training courses including Nationally Accredited Courses and group scheduled training in Cairns for:

Why not arrange for your Company’s Inductions to be carried out offsite by our accredited and experienced trainers? Call today to discuss. Dawsons in partnership with QLD Training Services (RTO#31178).

SA

GD

1281

1

March/April 2012 $2.75 inc GST WHERE SOLD

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

FREE

NQ mineral projects

and operations map

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

Sales: ................................................p. (07) 4755 0336 m. 0417 623 156

Client Services: ..................................Marion Lago m. 0414 225 621

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.

PEOPLE: OUR FOCUSAt PYBAR our business is moving hard rock. We’re an Australian-owned and focused national company employing 1000 + people with exceptional growth fuelled by a flexible, collaborative approach to projects and secure on-going equipment supply. Our size and growth develops fast-track careers and our small company culture means you’re not just a number in a crowd. We work with each team member individually, to develop a rock solid career.

INTERESTED? Visit www.PYBAR.com.au to see our current list of vacancies

Australian owned

Rock-solid careersOn-going projectsRapid growthAustralian focused

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

THESE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL TIMES

NOT AN AWU MEMBER YET? THEN JOIN THE AWU TODAY TOFIND OUT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ENTITLEMENTS

NORTH QUEENSLAND AWU MINING OFFICIALS:

TOWNSVILLE-COWBOY STOCKHAM 0419 737990MT ISA-HAG HARRISON 0428192985

FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT AWU BRANCH OFFICETOLL FREE ON 1800671449 OR awu.org.au

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


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


(07) 4951 1910

(07) 4922 3800

(07) 4123 0795

(07) 3852 1656

Call our offices today.

We train across Queensland & come to you.

Mining & Resources Industry Training

Giving You a

Giving You a

Morrissey TrainingA division of Morrissey Group Pty Ltd.

A Registered Training Organisation.

ABN 22 103 334 345

The GIQ Coal Mining Passport is a programme owned and managed by the Mining Industry Skills Centre Inc. Morrissey Group Pty Ltd is licenced by the Skills Centre to deliver the programme – visit www.miskillscentre.com.au for more info.

( )

www.slatergordon.com.au

SLGO757

MOTOR VEHICLE &

WORK PLACE INJURY CLAIMS

Offices in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville and Cairns

Call 1800 555 777

- Specialists in earthmoving, power & light, access, air & portable buildings. Call 13 15 52

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.


˛ Machinery Guards and Walkway Panels

˛ Storage Vessels, Tanks and Silos

˛ Containment Systems and Belt Covers

˛ EWP Outrigger Pads and much, much more!

World-class people delivering world-class products!

GOUGH PLASTICSSpecialising in fabrication, design and construction of

make-to-order storage, process, environmental and safety solutions

CALL 1800 069 805833 Ingham Rd, Bohle TOWNSVILLE

Ph: (07) 4774 7606

Fax: (07) 4774 7608

[email protected]

www.gough.com.au~ Since 1989 ~

GP4600

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


WEIGH UP THE

benefits of our packaged home loanQUEENSLAND COUNTRY’S ULTIMATE HOME LOAN OFFERS...

*Product disclosure statement available in branch.Queensland Country Credit Union Limited. ABN 77 087 651 027 AFSL 244533.

- Specialists in earthmoving, power & light, access, air & portable buildings. Call 13 15 52

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


Whilst some pay the ultimatesacrifice, others returnrequiring assistance

RSL (Queensland Branch) supports over 45,000current and ex-service personnel.

Your support of the RSL will help provide vitalservices to these men and women.

Your direct donation, bequest or sponsorship willmake a real difference and enable the RSL tocontinue with this vital support and assistance.

Make a donation at www.rslqld.orgor call (07) 3634 9444

The Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch)

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.


This program is designed for people who have previous knowledge in safety awareness and experience in job safety analysis and standard operating procedures. The program provides participants with an introduction to the industry,

aid.

On successful completion of the program the Kinetic Group (formerly MISC) will issue the participants with a GI passport. Participants will also be issued a statement of results for the six (6) units of competency undertaken in this program which align to the new Standard 11 legislative requirements for the industry.

Where: Cairns TAFE Campus

When: Full time course - 3 days (8am - 5pm daily) 17 - 19 April, 2012

Part time course - 5 nights + 1 day (6pm - 9pm Mon - Fri + 8am - 5pm Sat) 25 - 30 June, 2012

Cost: $720.00

your enrolment, contact Tropical North Queensland TAFE on 1300 656 959.

Generic Induction Passport Training for

individuals experienced in Heavy Industry Trades

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


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

CAIRNSTOWNSVILLEMACKAYMORANBAHGLADSTONEDALBYBRISBANE

FOR HIRE 1800 45 71 45

Lighting TowersTelehandlers

Boom Lifts

Knuckle BoomsScissor Lifts

11The Mining Advocate | March 2012 INDUSTRY UPDATE COAL AND GAS

To learn more about AWD trucks and 4WD vehicles ideallysuited to exploration and other mining applications

CONTACT US.......THE AWD SPECIALISTSFull range of 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 Mercedes-Benz AWD trucks

www.westcotrucksales.com.auToowoomba Rockhampton Mackay Townsville Cairns (07) 4631 4000 (07) 4923 1000 (07) 4952 7777 (07) 4774 5366 (07) 4080 7500

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

TRADE LABOUR HIRE“SUPPLYING THE RIGHT MANFOR THE JOB”

TRAINING“LEARNING TO STAY SAFE”Registered Training OrganisationNo. 31908

PROJECTS“JOB SATISFACTION FROM STARTTO FINISH”Electrical Contractors License Qld 66397,NSW 128976C , NT C2197

AVIATION“GETTING YOU WHERE YOUNEED TO BE”’Air Operators Certificate 1-2DZH9

Tel. 1300 732 881 : Offices – Brisbane / Townsvillewww.jamestech.com.au

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.

Here’s the drill

Clip-on Safety Glasses, thebenchmark in safety Eye ware.

Saving you time, money andinjury.

Meeting the new highstandards for 2012

www.cliponsafeshades.com

Mobile: 0419 787 907

13The Mining Advocate | March 2012 INDUSTRY UPDATE HARD ROCK

Locally owned for over 30 years

Fabrication and erection of structural steel andgalleries throughout QLD, NSW, NT and WA

3D Computer detailing

In house blast and paint facility

25 cranes from 8 tonne to 200 tonne

Labour hire

CAIRNS STEEL FABRICATORS

P: (07) 4035 1506 F: (07) 4035 1894E: [email protected] W: www.cairnssteel.com.au

OFFICES IN CAIRNS AND TOWNSVILLESPECIALISING IN STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATION AND ERECTION

“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

After 16 years of recruiting in the mining industry MPi has you covered.

Call 07 3220 3129miningpeople.com.au

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

GREAT LOCAL BUSINESS ADVICE RIGHT HERE IN MOUNT ISA

Telstra Business Centre Mt IsaSimpson Central Arcade, Inside The Telstra Store, Opposite KmartCall 07 4745 [email protected]

Crane Hire Boomlifts and Scissor Lifts Truck Hire Tilt Trays, Drop Deck and Extendables Vehicle / Accident Recovery Prime Mover and Low Loader Forklift Hire Telehandlers Riggers

9 Enterprise Road, Mount Isa QLD

Equipment HireNorth West Qld Specialists

Ph: 07 4743 3366 Fax: 07 4743 8511Mobile: 0412 634 760

Email: [email protected]

15The Mining Advocate | March 2012 BETWEEN SHIFTS

A Great Investment OpportunityLimited to TEN Investors ONLY

A soon to be launched .com company already 18 months and some $300,000 invested in the building and development of the site.

This site will revolutionise the retail marketplace - the best of it’s kind.

- THIS WORKS -Call Marty Carne Solicitor now for a confidentiality agreement. Phone 1300 566 566.

Minimum investment applies.

Bowen Business Information Forum

Queens Beach Hotel, Bowen

Bill Douglas (Rimcorp) and Bob Joy (Supply Connections) with Tolita

Dukes and Lachlan Broadfoot (both from Salva Group of Companies).

Tomas Hudee (Steinert Australia) with Grant and Susie Craker

(Sargent 4WD).

Bruce Smith (Dundee Group), Nathan Wyer (Bowen State High

School) and Alan Steff ens (Power Dome).

John Stokes and Grant Rawling (Eastern Nomad) with Peter

Tracey (Hancock Coal).

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

(Whitsunday Regional Council) and Terry O’Keefe (Roadtek).

Mike Brunker (Whitsunday Regional Council), Paul Spina

(Leighton Contractors), James Webb (Green Energy Technology)

and Trent Elson (North Queensland Glass).

Jay Angel (Angel Signs), Kim Cameron (Leader Group) and Danny

Stockow (Graphic House).

We seek no power, no riches, no glory, just the basic right of equality....

07 4669 708807 4662 4288

Broken Hill (08) 8087 3166 Mudgee (02) 6372 0014 Moranbah (07) 4941 9633 Brisbane (07) 3899 4755Hunter Valley 0407 256 529 Mackay/Blackwater/Dalby/Gladstone/Toowoomba (07) 4951 0868 / 0400 928 819

Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union Ltd. ABN 11 087 650 315 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 240399

Join the Credit Union today! All your family members can join also.Call us on 1300 36 2000 visit a branch or our website mmpcu.com.au

Three BIG reasons to join your Credit Union

1. Safe and Secure Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union is supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) - the same Federal Government authority that regulates all financial institutions. APRA requires all financial institutions to maintain minimum standards to ensure the security of member’s funds.

2. Better Value Products for youYour Credit Union is the only financial institution providing a full range of banking services exclusively to workers and retired members in the mining industry and their families. We provide a complete range of financial services and products, including:

Many of these products were developed with feedback from our members and as a result they provide exceptional value that you will not find elsewhere.

listen to your needs and will only offer products and services that we believe will

scored an overall member satisfaction rating of 91% making us one of the highest ranked financial institutions in Australia.

3. We Don’t Send Jobs OffshoreRecent media reports have highlighted the actions of major banks in relocating large sections of their workforce offshore, reducing their Australian workforce by thousands and sending customers personal details offshore to be processed, potentially putting these details at risk.Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union is 100% Australian owned and staffed. While our competitors are reducing their workforces by thousands, we are creating Australian jobs. We are committed to our staff and maintaining the security of member data and the intergrity of member

be compromised in the name of profit and no jobs or operations will never be relocated offshore.

17The Mining Advocate | March 2012 BETWEEN SHIFTS

Surat Basin industry networking evening

Surat Basin Corporation-QRC presentation

White Bull Tavern, Roma

Dalby RSL

Anthony Freer, Steve Streidl and Peter Maloney (Southern Cross

Automotive).

Stuart Wagner and Ashley Saw (both from Easternwell)

with Stephen Seymour (TAFE) and David Breese (Surat Basin

Corporation).

Kaye Maguire (Maguire Coaches), Craig Brown (Queensland

Power Transmission Supplies) and Maree Langton (SQIT).

Steve Hoggett (Chandler Macleod), Steve Halliday ( Vanderfi eld)

and Douglas Baldwin (GS Engineering).

Channey Fell (FKG Civil), Tony Valentine (DTS Group) and Troy

Wain (Ezyquip Hire).

Maree Petty (Indigenous Workstars, John Pearson Consulting), Brock

McIntyre (Calibre Accounting) and Grant Besley (Besley Finance).

Kevin Chambers (FKG & Sons Group) and Rob Loughnan

(Maranoa Regional Council).

Suzie Washington (Carefl ight), Mick Cosgrove (Western Downs

Regional Council) and Gillian Smith (Department of Education

and Training).

Sue Schutz (Decorator by Design), Laurell Ison (Surat Basin News)

and Tracey Farnell (My Recruitment Agency).

Melissa Taylor (Taylor’s Removals) with Mike McKee and Vaughan

Wishart (both from Stanmore Coal).

Andrew Marriott (Fencepac) and Leigh Duncan (Blackwoods).

Jenna Harber (Australian Events) with Nicole Cassimatis and

Rohan May (both from Ostwald Bros).

PHOTOS: Alistair Brown

PHOTOS: Janine Waters

6M 20FT CONTAINERSHELTER$2,800(also available 6m 40ft – $4,250)

8M 40FT CONTAINERSHELTER$6,500(also available 8m 20ft - $4,250)

10M 40FTCONTAINER SHELTER$11,550

12M 40FTCONTAINERSHELTER$15,500

Freight charges may apply • Available Nationwide • *Prices current as at 30/9/11 More models available – go to www.shelterstation.com

Free Call 1800 199 060 Nationwide “Suppliers of Container Shelters and freestanding shelters, Nationwide”

18 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateBETWEEN SHIFTS

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

Cedric Marshall (Isaac Regional Council).

Andy Webb (Mining Trade Services), Laine Webb (BMA

Broadmeadows) and Adrian Plahn (BMA Goonyella Riverside).

Scott Riley and Anne Baker (Isaac Regional Council) with Pallavi

Mandke (GHD).

Julie and Nathan Deguara (BMA Goonyella Riverside) with Tony

Briff a (BMA Goonyella Riverside).

Lynnie Busk (Moranbah Traders Association) and Erica

Fredericksen (Westfund).

Tina Daniel (Education Queensland), Aaron Daniel (BMA Peak

Downs), Michelle Stewart (Education Queensland) and Jarrod

Stewart (BMA Peak Downs).

Michelle Ruddell (Regional Social Development Centre) with

Therese Donnelly and Michelle McNamara (both from the

Department of Communities).

Daniel Chamorro and Catalina Cardona (both BMA Peak Downs).

Mick Lord (Offi ce of Co-ordinator General, DEEDI) and Anne Smith

(Sustainable Resources Community Liaison, DEEDI)

PHOTOS: Erica Smith

PHOTOS: Erica Smith

EXCLUSIVE ENCLAVE - GOLF COURSE FRONTAGE

A rare opportunity exists to invest in absolute golf course frontage inthe Townsville region.

Choose either a luxury two-storey home, master planned for the mostdiscerning taste or build your dream home on 931m2 of vacant, fullyfenced land.

65 Aspley Dr, Kirwan - the home features: 4 bedrooms plus a study,5 garages including a workshop, games room, in-ground pool & sauna.

77 Aspley Dr, Kirwan - vacant land - 931 m2

For Sale

Agent: Michelle Arnold

m 0438 027 367

[email protected]

raywhitetownsville.com.au

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

QUALIFICATIONS:Cert IV in OHS

Cert IV in Training & AssessmentCert IV in Resource Processing

Cert IV in Metalliferous Mining Operations(Underground)

Cert III in Mines Emergency Response and Rescue

OHS LICENSING:Forklift Skid Steer Front End Loader

Excavator Overhead Gantry EWPDogging Rigging Scaffolding

All Cranes Boiler and Turbine Operator

SERVICES:

OHS Auditing OHS InvestigationsOnsite Safety Coverage Inspections

Safety Management SystemsAssessor for Demolition and Asbestos

• A Training Provider Licensed to the Mining Industry Skills Centre

3 Ramsay Street, Garbutt Q 4814 Tel: 07 4728 9866 Fax: 07 4728 9899

We provide the highest quality of training

We deliver on client needs

www.worksafeconnect.com

SHORT COURSES:

GI Safety Induction* (Coal & Metalliferous)

Confined Spaces Working at Heights

White Card Induction QMS 123

Traffic Control Traffic Guidance Schemes

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

work practices, looking to join

a dynamic company and are

capable of lling these roles

please email your resume and

cover letter, clearly stating in

the subject eld the role you are

applying for, to our HR team at:

[email protected].

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

DALRYMPLE ROADTENANCY AVAILABLE

• Small Warehouse/Offi ce/Display

• Approx 600m2 (Warehouse 500m2 /Offi ce Display 100m2)

• Offi ce & Display Air Conditioned

• On Dalrymple Road, Townsville’s busiest thoroughfare

• Good signage visibility

• Close to Domain Central Precinct

• Adequate customer parking

• Rental $5000pm + GST

CONTACT THESE AGENTS

• Todd Walsh Ferry Property

on 0408 061 040

• John Hale John Gribbin Realty

on 0427 684 197

• Adrian Pascoe Ray White

Commercial on 0417 622 240

• Shaun McLaren Colliers

International on 0439 708 449

• or the Owner direct

on 4726 2600

PN04

563

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

WANT BETTER ACCESS TO THEMINING INDUSTRY?

is the KEYContact us now for your promotion solutions

P: 0747 550 336E: [email protected]

25The Mining Advocate | March 2012 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESCUE

• Hazardous Materials ManagementSystems

• Safety Audits and ComplianceReviews

• Safety Management SystemsDevelopment

• Confined Space Entry Systemsand Support

• Locum Safety Advisors

• Safety Training andEducation

• Chemical Spill ControlSolutions

Ph: 07 4723 [email protected]

NEW - AT HEIGHT AND CONFINED SPACE TRAINING FACILITIESAsk us about:

· Permit Access · Gas Monitoring · Atmospheric Testing · JSEA and Rescue plans

Quality assured and accredited for issuing nationallyrecognised qualifications in:

• TAA – Trainer/Assessor • Processing • Open cut • Health & First aid • Underground • Construction Safety

RING DAVE ANDERSON FOR YOUR

HEALTH, SAFETY

AND TRAINING NEEDS

WINNERMining Industry Training Provider

of the Year - 2005

83 Miles St, Mount Isa QldP: 07 4743 3504 F: 07 4743 3507 M: 0427 880 124

E: [email protected]

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:

[email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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

MATERIAL HANDLING SOLUTIONS

Conveyor Belt Splicing Conveyor System Maintenance Conveyor Maintenance System Training

Conveyor System Design & Fabrication Continuous Improvement ProgramsConveyor Equipment Supply Solutions Wear And Flow Solutions

BRI TRAC

(AUS) PTY LTD

www.britrac.com.au

196 Enterprise Street, Bohle, Townsville Qld 4818

Phone (07) 4774 6949 Fax (07) 4774 6887 Mobile 0409 604 470

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

Looking for experienced crew, or want to join ours?Contact the world’s no.1 recruiter.Mackay TownsvilleGladstone RockhamptonBrisbane Gold Coast

1300 ADECCO

SHUT DOWNS?

better work, better life adecco.com.au

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.”

Precast off ers streamlined housing solutions

Murtro Precast promises quick-to-erect housing systems.

Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep.

Ensuite Studio Rooms Air-conditioning TV WiFi Bar Fridge Dining facilities

For bookings or more details, please call Robyn Sefton on 0407 825 638 or visit us online:

With 8 Discovery Parks located in Queensland, we can cater to your corporate and workforce accommodation needs.

www.discoveryparks.com.au

Longreach

Lake Maraboon

Rockhampton

Lake Tinaroo

Mt IsaCloncurry

BiloelaBlackwater

DEVELOPING QUEENSLAND FROM THE EAST COASTTO THE GREAT WEST

DEVELOPING QUEENSLAND FROM THE EAST COASTTO THE GREAT WEST

CALL US FOR A QUOTE TODAY CALL US FOR A QUOTE TODAY

www.mkmbuilders.. com.au

Mt Isa - Cloncurry - Dysart - Gladstone & Southeast Qld

Mt Isa - Cloncurry - Dysart - Gladstone & Southeast Qld

Or Brad Merkur : 0414 389 300P: 131 mkm or email: [email protected]

NOW BUILDING MODULAR HOUSING,

TOWNHOUSES, UNITS & HOUSES In:MT ISA - CLONCURRY - DYSART - GLADSTONE &

SOUTHEAST QLD

14th - 18th MAY 2012‘Breaking Ground in Mining’

The largest annual mining expo in eastern AustraliaExperience the difference: FREE Meet the Buyer sessions, exclusive networking functions, northern outback hospitality

Registrations open Tuesday 27 September 2011 at 9am I Contact the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce on (07) 4743 9881or email [email protected]

“Focusing on quality leads not quantity”Proudly organised by the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce

Proudlycontracting to

QueenslandMining

CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE

53 Barkly HighwayMount Isa QLD 4825Australia

Phone: 074743 5333Email: [email protected]

www.industrea.com.au

INDUSTREA MINING SERVICES PTY LTDWhen experience in hard rock mining counts

33The Mining Advocate | March 2012 BUILDING NW QUEENSLAND

North West Crane Hire has the following equipmentand cranes on offer:

18-220t Cranes34ft – 85ft EWP’s3 x 10m TippersSemi’s, Flat top and Step Deck TrailersIT Loader3t-7t ForkliftsTilt TraysCrane Operators, Riggers, Labourers, Tradespeopleand Supervisors available

The company, directed by Mark and Leanne Bellamy,commenced in 2004 with one 50t Crane and now the fleethas expanded to 107 various units with more cranes,semi’s and equipmenton order.

Mark Bellamy:

AVAILABLE NOW

SIDE TIPPERS

0407 620 868Kelvin Ryan: 0422 124 083

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.

Isa opportunity knocks

Monica JosephEngineer and Xstrata graduate

program participant

• Mechanical• Electrical• Hydraulics• Auto Air Conditioning• Parts and Batteries• Exclusive thermal wrapping• 24/7 breakdown service

(07) 4743 1506(07) 4743 1506

Mount Isa’s complete vehicle serviceCorporate, Business and Public

www.masmechanical.com.au

Now specialising inNow specialising inRadiators and Machinery HireRadiators and Machinery Hire

34 March 2012 | The Mining AdvocateHEAVY MACHINERY REVIEW

partssalesrentals

Best Tractor Parts is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of second-hand, reconditioned and

new replacement parts for Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Liebherr and O&K machines.

191 CONNORS ROAD, PAGET, MACKAY QLD 4740 PH: (07) 49 529 600

Best in

> New state of the art facility

> Exceptional range of parts & components with new replacement parts

> Diverse range of Service Exchange components

RECRUITING NOW

> Machine sales & rental

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

Email: [email protected]: www.rubbercity.com.au

Tyres for Cars, Trucks, Earthmoving, Agricultural....and everything in-between !

RUBBER Pty LtdCITY

35The Mining Advocate | March 2012 HEAVY MACHINERY REVIEW

Tyres for Cars, Trucks, Earthmoving, Agricultural.... and everything in-between !

B/H (07) 4787 3111 A/H 0429 497 395

$ 29.5 x 29 40ply L5s Slicks - 5096 (inc GST)

$18.00 x 25 36ply L5s Slicks - 2600 (inc GST)



46 New Queen Rd Charters Towers Qld

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.


THE EPOXY FLOOR COATING SPECIALISTSTalk directly to Richard, the owner on 0438 814 014 for a quote

w w w . d c s . n e t . a u

OUR SERVICE OFFER• Quick response• Green credentials – Australian-made solvent free

applications• QBSA Licensed• Mining applications are our speciality

OUR GEOGRAPHIC OFFER• Remote area capability - able to project our service

into hardrock and coal mining and energy areas ofQueensland, NSW and the NT

OUR PHYSICAL OFFER• Kevlar reinforced, chemical resistant

engineered protective floor coatings

• Floor demarcation and linemarking tothe Australian Standard

• Completely mine compliant

• Creates superior working conditions

• Applied to any size project

• All surface preparation, cleaning anddiamond grinding

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.

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

[email protected]

Documents

March 2012