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THIS EDITION

• Yellowcake dreaming in Qld

• Coal adds spark to north-western towns

• Eromanga Basin on the rise

• Miners smash charity shave record

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South Qld mining

and energy map

Think zinc – Think zinc – making the most making the most of Isa’s assetsof Isa’s assets

1The Mining Advocate | May 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

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Email: ...............................................................info@miningadvocate.com.au

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May 2012

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Advertising booking deadlineJuly edition: June 19

FEATURES

11 Industry Update

12 Mount Isa Mining Expo

16 Surat Basin Expo Update

18 Between Shifts

23 Living Remotely

24 Education Feature

26 Ivanhoe Feature

28 Building Mining Communities

30 Emergency Response and Rescue

31 Training

32 Wet Season

33 Materials Handling

34 Shutdowns

35 Regional Engineering Teams

36 Building NW Queensland

38 Heavy Machinery Review

40 Mining Families

41 Qld Real Estate Feature

COVER IMAGE: Xstrata Zinc’s Handlebar Hill mine, with Mount Isa in the background. Photo: Roslyn Budd

3 Yellowcake dreamingA change of government has uranium advocates predicting a reversal of Queensland’s mining ban, paving

the way for key projects in north and north-west Queensland.

5 Coal adds spark to north-west As Guildford Coal targets a 2015 start date for coal exports from its 1.6 billion-tonne deposit just north

of Hughenden, local communities are starting to feel the revitalising benefi ts of the region’s new resource

industry.

6 Grin and bare itQueensland resources industry members raised a record

$500,000-plus in the Leukaemia Foundation’s Mining and

Energy Challenge this year, with a now beard-free Michael

Roche from the sector’s peak body leading by example for the

charity shave-off .

13 Zipping into zinc Xstrata Zinc is on an unprecedented growth path in Australia, with Mount Isa taking a starring role in the

company’s expansion plans and bumper capital works budget.

35 Engineers on the wing A pilot’s licence is part of the job for a handful of the engineers at Barcaldine-based George Bourne and

Associates, who take to the air to cover projects from Burketown south to Birdsville and beyond.

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2 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS

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Upsizing in CQKomatsu Australia plans to beef up its Mackay operations this year, increasing local production of the massive 960E model mining dump trucks from a maximum of four per month to seven.

Managing director Sean Taylor said the company planned to upgrade the Mackay production facility and to build a customer support centre including a new parts warehouse and workshop.

He announced the plans at the recent launch of Komatsu Australia’s new regional headquarters at Wacol in Brisbane.

Mr Taylor said the $55 million investment at Wacol was the fi rst stage of a comprehensive capital expenditure program over the next three years.

Th e company has not released details of the expected cost of the Mackay expansion or what staff increases may be involved.

Th e 960E model produced in the central Queensland city is Komatsu’s biggest truck, with a carrying capacity of 327 tonnes and a height of 7m.

Mr Taylor said the machine was highly sought after in the booming Bowen Basin coalfi elds.

Th e new Wacol facility will assemble up to 70 ultra-

class mining trucks per year,

representing a 40 per cent increase

in capacity compared with the

previous manufacturing plant at

Sherwood, Brisbane.

Mr Taylor said also Komatsu

Australia would employ 100

new trades-based apprentices

nationally this year, with many

set to gain heavy vehicle electrical

qualifi cations.

Forty-seven will be employed

in Queensland, with about half to

be based in Brisbane and half in

regional centres including Mackay,

Gladstone and Townsville.

The 960E model produced in Mackay.

Voluntary administrators appointed to Kagara

have confi rmed jobs will be lost as they work

towards restructuring the mine’s fi nancial

arrangements and operations.

Taylor Woodings were appointed by Kagara

on April 29 to independently investigate the

aff airs of the company and recommend options

for its future.

“Kagara has a portfolio of high-quality,

sought-after assets including strategic mines,

processing operations and exploration projects

in Queensland and Western Australia,”

administrator Michael Ryan said. “As

administrators, we will work closely with the

management team to identify all potential

options and opportunities available to Kagara,

including options relating to a potential re-

capitalisation of the company.”

Th e move follows Kagara’s recent suspension

of mining at Baal Gammon in the Mount

Garnet region due to tightening cash fl ow and

its earlier decision to mothball its Th alanga

processing operation and Mungana underground

mine after a loss in the last half of 2011.

Cash-strapped Kagara in administration

Mega Uranium poised for changeMega Uranium plans a 4200m

drill program to test potential

extensions to the west and

north-west of the Ben Lomond

deposit, about 50km west of

Townsville.

In a recent release, the

company said that while

the newly elected LNP

Government in Queensland

had not yet announced its

position on uranium mining,

the expectation was it would

follow Federal LNP policy

- which supported uranium

mine development throughout

Australia.

“If so, there would no longer

be any political impediment to

the development of Mega’s Ben

Lomond project and its other

uranium resources in the state,”

the company said.

Mega Uranium said it was

undertaking prefeasibility

studies of Ben Lomond to

determine project economics,

the preferred mining and

processing options and the key

steps in mine development.


LOCAL EXPERTS.LOADS OF EQUIPMENT.

Ban tipped to endA new State regime has fanned hopes of a

policy shift among those keen to see the

uranium industry take off in the north west.

Key uranium advocates tip a reversal in Queensland’s mining ban within the fi rst term of the new LNP Government.

New Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady, a member of the Laramide Resources advisory board, believed the economic benefi ts on off er would spark the change within that timeframe.

And Paladin Energy managing director and chief executive offi cer John Borshoff said he expected an announcement within the next six to 12 months.

“We’re just allowing the Government to settle in and get things sorted, then maybe we can start making some inquiries that would give us a better idea of timing,” he said.

Laramide Resources holds the Westmoreland uranium project near the Northern Territory border in Queensland’s Gulf country, while Paladin holds a cluster of deposits in the Mount Isa area, including the key Valhalla-Skal project.

Queensland’s new Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said Premier Campbell Newman had stated publicly that his Government had no plans to change existing policy - which prohibits the mining, processing or treatment of uranium in Queensland.

“A number of key issues for the future of the State’s resources and energy sector have already been identifi ed by the Queensland Government as being signifi cantly higher priority than uranium mining, including restoring confi dence in the fast developing mining and gas sector and providing better infrastructure

“Campbell Newman, in public comments I’ve heard, has said there’s other priorities of his regime than uranium mining,” he said. “But I would certainly hope that when Mr Newman and his ministers start to look at the opportunities that exist for uranium mining and other forms of mining too they will come out in favour of it.”

Mr Borshoff said Paladin had a pipeline of projects throughout the world and would “reorder the development sequence” if the Queensland ban was reversed.

Such a decision would have to happen by 2016 for the Valhalla/Skal project to come into production by 2020, he said.

Mr Borshoff said the company hoped to establish a treatment plant in a position to harvest various deposits in the region, creating a mining operation with a 15 to 20-year life.

He said Queensland had the potential to produce 8-9 million pounds of uranium per annum by the 2020s, making it a signifi cant player in the global industry. Mount Isa civic leaders Tony McGrady and Brett Peterson. Photo: Roslyn Budd

Job hopes pinned on uranium mineTh e Westmoreland uranium project in Queensland’s Gulf country would be crucial in fi lling an employment and training void in the next few years, according to indigenous leader Murrandoo Yanner.

MMG’s Century zinc mine in the lower Gulf region had been a source of jobs and skills for hundreds of local indigenous people in an area of high unemployment, Mr Yanner said.

But with that operation due to close around 2016, he said the disadvantaged region needed a

new mine to come online.“Th e next one that would be

most readily available to employ people is the Westmoreland uranium deposit,” he said.

Local indigenous people had been working with West more land proponent Laramide Resources to come up with a Century-style agreement, guaranteeing economic benefi ts for the lower Gulf region, Mr Yanner said.

“I think we can improve on the Century mine agreement and I feel that this will be the one to do it,” he said.

Tony McGrady, a member of the Laramide Resources advisory board, said the company anticipated the West-more land project would generate about 350-400 jobs during construction and 250-300 in the operation.

If the Government allowed uranium mining, Laramide Resources believed that by the time regulatory protocols were in place it could be in a position

to commence construction

work about 2015 and mining in

2016/17, if all went well, he said.

and better planning to allow this industry to grow our four-pillar economy,” Mr Cripps said.

Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce president Brett Peterson said the green light for uranium mining would be most welcome as it would add another string to the bow of the North West Queensland Minerals Province.

“I think it’s something we’ve got to move forward with – it’s not going to happen overnight, but we’ve got to start to put things in place to allow it to happen over a period of time,” Mr Peterson said.

Mr McGrady said he did not believe Mr Newman had publicly ruled out lifting the uranium mining ban in Queensland, whereas the previous government had made it perfectly clear they had no intention whatsoever of changing their stance.


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Hogan at helm for peak bodyAMEC’s new regional manager hails from the

canefi elds of Mirani and admits being known

as a rugby tragic, writes Belinda Humphries.

After roles including a government posting in Washington and business development work throughout Asia and Australia, Bernie Hogan’s latest career change is bringing him a little closer to his roots in central Queensland.

Mr Hogan recently replaced Ross Musgrove as the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ (AMEC’s) regional manager for Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Based in Brisbane, he said he aimed to get out among the membership throughout regional Queensland and the Northern Territory to better understand the issues aff ecting their work.

“I will be regularly visiting those areas,” he said.

“Each has its own issues whether that be infrastructure or things like the land access issue and indigenous aff airs.”

“Prior to that, I was with the Department of Foreign Aff airs and Trade,” he said.

He has been living in Brisbane for the past seven years, after spending fi ve years in Washington as director of security, property and events for the Australian Embassy.

Mr Hogan said the major priority for AMEC in Queensland at the moment was to connect with the new LNP Government as well as providing a co-ordinated voice for members, who are generally mining juniors and explorers.

Cutting the red tape that tended to bog down new projects was high on the agenda of items to work on with the new government, he said.

Mr Hogan said also AMEC was seeking a “sustainable and economically favourable outcome” for its members on issues including the Wild Rivers Act, strategic cropping laws and land access.

“Probably the two things that we are always trying to push are

clarity and consistency - so we know exactly what is required of our members and that it doesn’t change weekly, monthly or on a case by case basis,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to having a good relationship with the new Government.

“Th ey have certainly signalled they are ready to talk to all industries to ensure that Queensland sets the best platform for them.”

Outside work, much time is

devoted to his young family –

with children aged 2½ and 5½

– as well as a passion for rugby

union.

“I think most people would say

I’m a rugby tragic,” Mr Hogan

said.

Th e Queensland Reds fan has

played rugby union since he was

a child and coached for 12 years

in Australia and the USA.

Mr Hogan grew up in Mirani,

west of Mackay, where his family

were long-time cane farmers.

He described his most recent

jobs as being roles in service

industries supporting mining in

areas such as vocational training,

workforce planning and remote

logistics.

Bernie HoganAMEC regional manager

Sibelco has an eye to feeding the nickel processing demands of the Asia Pacifi c region with its recent purchase of the Queensland Magnesia (QMAG) operations in the Rockhampton area.

Sibelco chief executive offi cer Campbell Jones said the two main areas the business was servicing were the steel industry, for refractory needs, and the hydrometallurgical market.

“Th at market sector in particular we’re quite excited about. It’s a consumable in the high-pressure acid leaching of nickel cobalt ores, and those lateritic nickels are quite abundant in the Asia Pacifi c region, so I think QMAG is well positioned to serve that emerging market,” Mr Jones said.

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Guildford targets 2015 launchThe proponent behind two northern Galilee

Basin projects is continuing the groundwork for

coal exports via Townsville, writes Jan Green.

Guildford Coal says it is well on the way to exporting coal from its 1.6 billion-tonne deposit just north of Hughenden in 2015, subject to approvals.

In the meantime, drilling and exploration continues as does the organisation’s fi rst feasibility study focusing on exporting coal along the Mount Isa rail line through the Port of Townsville.

“Ours is a long-term prospect and we are looking to invest several billion dollars in our two Galilee Basin operations,

one north of Hughenden and the other at White Mountain, north-west of Pentland,” chief operating offi cer Mark Turner said.

“Initially, we anticipate putting four million tonnes annually through the Port of Townsville and increasing the volume to 10 million tonnes by 2019.”

Mr Turner described this as a drop in the ocean compared to the 300 million tonnes of coal predicted to go through Abbot Point within the next decade.

“What we have is a very small

niche export opportunity and

Townsville port can easily handle

Coal boost for north-western townsTh e decline of many small towns along the Mount Isa-Townsville rail corridor is expected to be reversed once Guildford Coal and other northern Galilee Basin operations begin production.

Guildford Coal chief operating offi cer Mark Turner said his organisation was not contemplating drive in-drive out or fl y in-fl y-out operations.

“Our intention is support the

local communities in the areas we are working in, which is why we employ from the local communities, have several houses in Hughenden to accommodate our employees, and buy our supplies from local businesses,” he said.

Flinders Shire Councillor Greg Jones admitted to some initial apprehension about the impact of major coal mines.

“But after talking to representatives

from Guildford and from Blackwood, I found they were very supportive of the town,” Cr Jones said.

He said the sheep industry and government services had seriously declined over the years, so development was welcomed, provided the impact on the community was positive.

It was important to achieve steady, sustainable development, Cr Jones said.

our tonnage for the foreseeable

future,” he said.

“It is widely acknowledged

that the port is under utilised

and there are many opport-

unities to expand both

the volume and value of

commodities through it.”

Mr Turner said Guildford

Coal had off ered to assist with

the fi nancing of the Townsville

Eastern Access Rail Corridor

which, when complete, would

eliminate the need for coal

trains to go through the city en

route to the port.

“We are also looking at the

option of stockpiling at the

State Development Area behind

Cluden, then transporting the

coal to the port on conveyors,”

he said.

“Th e technology for that is

advanced and widely used.””

Mr Turner said Guildford

Coal was working closely with

MITEZ and other north-

western resource stakeholders

to map out the short, medium

and long-term growth strategies

for the Mount Isa-Townsville

supply chain.

“Initially, ours will be a very

small footprint, starting with

trial shipments,” he said.

“We will consider all markets,

but our main long-term interest

is in China and India.”

Guildford Coal fi eld workers examine

fresh core samples from the project

outside Hughenden.


Industry members across Queensland pulled out all the stops in sacrifi cing hair, beards and moustaches to raise a record $500,000-plus for this year’s Leukaemia Foundation Mining and Energy Challenge.

A record 58 registrations were received from resource company head offi ces in Brisbane and operations across the state for the challenge, held as part of the World’s Greatest Shave.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche led by example when he agreed to have his beard and moustache taken off for the fi rst time in 30 years.

“With trepidation I returned to the offi ce after my shave, only to be pleasantly surprised by the positive comments – particularly that I looked much younger,” Mr Roche said.

“Th e big test was family, but my wife, children and grandchildren - who had never seen me clean-shaven - all approved of the new look.

“Th e only downside is that I have to fi nd an extra fi ve minutes in the morning when getting ready for the work day.

“So the plan is to stay clean-shaven.

“Trouble is, the only options for next year’s World’s Greatest Shave are then limited to colouring my hair or going the whole hog.”

Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland corporate partnerships manager Paul Barnard described the industry’s fundraising eff ort as absolutely marvellous.

He applauded Mr Roche’s involvement, not only in sacrifi cing his beard and moustache, but for his role as the foundation’s Mining and Energy Challenge ambassador for the second year.

Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) in the Cloncurry district was among those who enthusiastically supported the 2012 Mining and Energy Challenge, raising more than $10,000.

Th e EHM social club organised two weeks of fundraising activities during March including four gold-coin donation barbecues, two shave and colour events and two raffl es with prizes consisting of gift cards and signed sporting memorabilia.

Close to 30 people took part in the shave and colour events, with half of the participants shaving off their precious locks. A few unlucky victims also lost an eyebrow.

In central Queensland, Anglo American’s Capcoal operation raised almost $30,000 for the Mining and Energy Challenge.

Community members piled into the Middlemount Golf Club to see

Bumper year for razor gang The Queensland Resources Council’s boss led

with his chin as mine sites statewide embraced

a fundraising challenge, writes Jan Green.

ave ahalf

aving

y

o

ng rry

ose

h in

wo s

ft ing

andand f of g

13 Capcoal employees and Middlemount locals go under the razor.

Th e 2012 winner of the Mining and Energy Challenge perpetual trophy will be announced at a special event in Brisbane in June to recognise the top World’s Greatest Shave fundraisers.

Th e trophy was won by BMA’s Peak Downs mine in the Bowen Basin in 2011.

BEFORE - Leukaemia Foundation president Beverley

Mirolo prepares to apply the razor to Queensland

Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche.

AFTER - A clean-shaven Michael Roche with Virginie Mackay from Vale.

Shaft sink document controller Naomi

Langham from Ernest Henry Mining

creates a work of art on the head of

safety adviser Graham Williamson.Capcoal employees Ken McCaff rey, Lucas Janz, Kevin Jacobson, Peter Creedon, Beau

Valinoti and Colin Shackleton joined the charity shave. Mr Jacobson’s hair was waist-

length before the event.


Dawn of the Eromanga era Explorers are building major resources in this

relatively undeveloped area, now lining up after

the Galilee Basin as the next big thing in coal.

Major thermal coal discoveries at shallow depth are heating up interest in the Eromanga Basin in south-west Queensland, according to International Coal director David Round.

International Coal is sitting on a thermal coal deposit with an inferred resource of 728 million tonnes at its South Blackall project about 180km west of Charleville, and holds a further 8000sq km of tenements under application nearby.

Mr Round said more people were starting to see the area as highly prospective as excellent drilling results came in.

“Economically many deposits could be far more suitable for development quicker than others in the Galilee Basin and other areas where some coal resources are at greater depth,” he said.

East Energy Resources managing director Mark Basso has also been talking up the Eromanga Basin as a new coal frontier in Australia and says that view is spreading.

“When we started in 2008, we were the fi rst drilling in the

area,” Mr Basso said. “Now there are a number of players in most directions from us also carrying out their drilling projects.”

East Energy has established a maiden JORC indicated resource of 469 million tonnes and an inferred resource of 280 million tonnes of thermal coal at its Blackall project, located south-west of GVK Hancock Coal’s and Waratah Coal’s major Galilee Basin projects.

An upgraded estimate is due out in May.

Mr Round said International Coal’s South Blackall maiden resource was reached from drilling less than 15 per cent of the site and he could see no reason why the company would not achieve a resource of several billion tonnes.

Mr Round said the company had drilled to a maximum depth of 200m and could demonstrate that most of the coal was just 60-150m below the surface.

International Coal has been talking to potential development partners in China and hopes to go into production within a fi ve

to seven-year timeframe.Mr Round said lack of

knowledge of the area and the very limited infrastructure had held back Eromanga coal development to date.

He believed the quantities of coal being discovered in the Eromanga Basin justifi ed a dedicated rail link for the region and that this outcome was more than likely if a co-operative of companies worked together.

“We like to think we are leading the way in discussions with various parties regarding

infrastructure solutions and development for the region,” he said.

“We’re going to be very proactive about that in the short and medium term.”

Further north, East Energy has lodged an expression of interest with Hancock Infrastructure for access to its proposed 495km rail line to Abbot Point and says it is monitoring the progress of other potential Galilee operators.

Mr Basso said East Energy’s interest in the Blackall tenements

came after observing progress on the Galilee projects.

He believed the infrastructure they generated would hold the key to development in the Eromanga Basin.

While there were alternative routes to port, the lines were already congested and would require signifi cant upgrades, Mr Basso said.

Th e company is studying the potential use of a disused government rail easement to establish a rail line from Blackall to Jericho.

Surat Basin

Eromanga Basin

Galilee Basin

Drummond Basin

Bowen Basin

Fairbairn Dam

BlackwaterAlpha

Springsure

Duaringa

Moura

Theodore

Baralaba

Blackall

Tambo

Yaraka

Mitchell

Miles

Roma

Wandoan

Taroom

Injune

Rolleston

Charleville

Quilpie

Eromanga

East EnergyBlackall project

International CoalSouth Blackall project


Plea for reformA north-west Queensland mine proponent

has blasted the state’s land access regulations

and the costs involved, writes Jan Green.

Junior resource exploration company Krucible Metals has added its voice to industry calls for drilling and exploration legislative reform.

Managing director Tony Alston said total bureaucracy, impractical “green tape” and buck passing by the previous government were largely responsible for driving many resource companies out of Queensland.

He acknowledged a poor global economy was also having an impact on many resource companies, large and small.

“However, the Compensation Land Owner Access Agreement – which was unnecessarily introduced outside the Mining Act - is doing far more damage,” Mr Alston said.

Th e Krucible Metals comments follow those of another explorer working in north-west Queensland, Chinalco Yunnan Copper, whose managing director Jason Beckton gained media coverage recently for his attack on bureaucratic bottlenecks holding up exploration permits.

Mr Alston said he’d been

told by a number of exploration companies that it was now quite common for landowners to ask in excess of $500 a drill hole, regardless of whether they were big coal seam gas bores or small holes, maybe only 50m deep.

“Junior companies can’t aff ord to pay that, particularly if hundreds of holes need to be drilled,” he said. “Under the current legislation, land owner compensation can in some instances double operating costs.”

When added to Native Title costs, government rentals and general administrative costs, this could stop exploration and almost cripple what was a high-risk, fund-depleted industry, he said.

Mr Alston called on the new State Government to address all aspects of drilling and exploration legislation as a matter of priority.

“We don’t want motherhood statements and no action – which was what happened before – but a practical, co-operative process which is fair to all parties and delivers positive outcomes,” he said.

A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman

said the Queensland Government

was committed to ensuring the co-

existence of resource exploration

and landholders through a

balanced approach to private land

access and compensation.

“When the land access

framework was implemented, it

was noted that the impact would

be felt by the mineral and coal

exploration sector - particularly

small explorers - due to the new

requirements for negotiating up-

front conduct and compensation

agreements with landholders,” the

spokesman said.

An additional nine-month

transitional period had been

granted to explorers in recognition

of this impact, and a 12-month

review launched to ensure that the

legislation was achieving its stated

policy objectives, he said.

Th e results of that review

were being considered by the

Government, the spokesman said.

“Th e Queensland Government

remains committed to enhancing

the regulatory framework and

cutting red tape for explorers in

Queensland and will continue to

work with the exploration industry

in relation to the land access

framework,” he said.

• Krucible targets 2013 start-up at Korella - Page 14

Incitec Pivot’s Dyno Nobel ammonium nitrate plant at Moranbah in

central Queensland is being progressively handed over to the project’s

commissioning and ongoing operations team.

Th e $935 million plant is due to begin commercial production in July.

“Th e transition from construction to operational mode is going as

expected and day by day we are getting closer to producing product for our

customers,” Moranbah operations manager Kyle Gimpl said.

Th e prime commissioning eff ort has centered on the nitric acid plant,

and the emulsions and ammonium nitrate plants will be next in line.

Th e site operates its own gas-fi red power station and preparations for the

second stage of commissioning of this utility are under way.

When completed, the plant will supply ammonium nitrate prill and

emulsion products for use in blasting at mines in the Bowen Basin.

“Building a plant like this is a major undertaking,” Mr Gimpl said.

“Rigorous design and construction of often-complex networks of pipes,

instruments, control valves and computer control requires close attention to

quality and testing at every step.

“Among a multitude of other tasks, hundreds of kilometres of pipes

have to be precision-welded, dozens of pumps and compressors fi tted and

enough wiring for a small village installed and connected.”

The Moranbah ammonium nitrate plant, with the fl are stack at centre.

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THE MINING INDUSTRY IS GROWING IN QUEENSLAND...

Website to ‘auction’ talent The brains behind FIFObids believe their fresh

approach will address skill shortages by helping

workers and companies fi nd good job matches.

A new online human resources marketplace encouraging companies to bid for workers has drawn strong interest from the resource and construction industries, its founders say.

About 1600 people posted free profi les listing their skills and areas of interest within a week of FIFObids (First In First Off er) going live, co-founder Antonluigi Gozzi said.

“Fifty-eight per cent of users are from mining, oil and gas, and construction - which is indicating that we are really hitting the industries with skill shortages,” he said.

Mr Gozzi said those listing their profi le on FIFObids included more than 200 engineers and 85 people with geology or survey qualifi cations.

FIFObids was created to help alleviate the problem of skill shortages in all sectors, Mr Gozzi said.

He and FIFObids co-founder Michael Haywood have both worked in the mining and construction industries for the past eight years, making them

well aware of pressing problems created by the shortage of skills and high turnover.

“What we noticed was that there were lots of ineffi ciencies in the recruitment processes, as well as lack of optimisation in labour resources allocation,” Mr Gozzi said.

“Basically, to recruit a skilled operator or a hard-to-fi ll position in mining, it can take six months to a year.

“Often positions are backfi lled by contractors who cost double, as it is just impossible to fi nd a suitable person for the position in the short term.

“We noticed that there were many people looking for new job opportunities in a company and location that suited them best and we thought there must be a better way to fi nd jobs and workers faster.”

FIFObids would give companies an instant pool of skilled candidates to choose from and give workers the chance to test the market anonymously to fi nd a job better suited to them, he said.

Th e FIFObids launch came as recruitment consultancy Robert Walters’ latest quarterly Mining and Engineering Job Market Update showed continuing skills shortages in those sectors.

Organisations in the oil and gas, mining, rail and engineering design industries faced particularly severe skills shortages, as multiple billion-dollar projects at similar stages of development sought to attract and secure professionals.

Robert Walters Brisbane manager – engineering, Richard Dale, said employers in those sectors continued to be open to

sourcing talent from overseas

as recruiting high performers

with the required skill sets

became increasingly diffi cult and

expensive.

“Recruitment activity across

the resources sector will continue

to increase throughout quarter

two, as many major projects

are only just starting to gather

steam,” he said.

“Consequently, these shortages

will become even more acute,

meaning organisations will

have to increase head-hunting

and look at their attraction

strategies.”

Mr Gozzi said FIFObids

planned to build a pool of 5000

jobseekers before opening the

site to companies for bidding.

Early feedback from potential

employers had been good, he

said.

Mr Gozzi stressed the service

would be open to all industries,

but said the founders had chosen

to launch it in Western Australia

to tap into the resource sector.

Of those registering in the

fi rst week, 44 per cent were from

Western Australia, 23 per cent

from NSW and 13 per cent from

Queensland.

Antonluigi GozziFIFObids co-founder

Gnomic

takeoverRecruitment and labour

hire company Humanis

Group has acquired

the Townsville-based

business Gnomic

Exploration Services.

Gnomic Exploration

Services specialises in

providing geoscience

and geo-technical

contractors and

consultants to minerals

and energy industries in

Australia and overseas

for short and long-term

contracts.

Humanis Group

managing director

Rabieh Krayem

said Gnomic would

provide a further

niche diversifi cation in

addition to the group’s

mining specialist

subsidiary, ResCo

Services.

Gnomic Exploration

Services owner and

founder Chrissy Maguire

will remain with the

business as managing

director, bringing her

management team and

staff to Humanis.


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Linc push for UCG ramp-upPioneers of a gas-to-liquids technology based

on coal resources believe Queensland’s election

outcome has paved the way for expansion.

Linc Energy will push for a State Government green light in the next few months to step up its underground coal gasifi cation (UCG) and fuel production operation at Chinchilla to a commercial scale.

Chief executive offi cer Peter Bond believed the recent change of government in Queensland had brought a shift in philosophy over UCG operations.

“Linc will be making an application to aggressively move forward on a commercial-size operation in Chinchilla of about 5000 barrels a day of GTL (gas-to-liquids) fuel,” he said.

“I’d like to know we have a project going forward by the end of the year.”

Linc’s demonstration facility can produce upwards of about half a million cubic metres of gas a day, but only uses a small proportion in making fi ve to 10 barrels a day of fuel.

Mr Bond said the ramp-up to commercial operations would involve an investment of $250-$350 million to increase plant

capacity to 5000 barrels a day.Th e project would create 400-

500 jobs in construction and about 100 operational positions, compared to the present site workforce of about 40.

“It would be great news for Queensland and for Chinchilla, but also it’s good news for Australia because it will be the fi rst commercial GTL operation in this country and the fi rst commercial UCG operation,” Mr Bond said. “It proves we can unlock a lot of energy value and that’s a big thing.”

Th e company had seen its UCG operations as having a bleak future in Queensland under the Bligh Government and has been looking interstate and overseas to make the most of the technology developed.

Th e Bligh Government implemented a UCG policy which allowed three pilot projects including the Linc plant to go ahead, with an industry panel to assess their technological, commercial and environmental viability before

issuing any commercial licences. Queensland’s new Natural

Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the independent scientifi c panel was scheduled to report its fi ndings and recommendations to the Government during 2012.

Carbon Energy recently announced it was winding down activities at its Bloodwood Creek UCG site between Dalby and Chinchilla to reduce costs until a commercial agreement with a partner was reached and regulatory certainty achieved.

Th e third pilot project – operated by Cougar Energy at Kingaroy – was shut down by the State Government last year over environmental concerns. Th e company is appealing that decision, with the matter still before the courts.

Chief executive offi cer Peter Bond with ultra-clean synthetic fuel produced at Linc Energy’s Chinchilla facility.

Photo: David Sproule

11The Mining Advocate | May 2012 INDUSTRY UPDATE

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Aquila Resources recently announced it

had signed an agreement to sell its share

of the joint venture to Sumitomo, saying

it had received a number of approaches

about the asset.

Th e sale is subject to Vale Australia

declining to exercise its 60-day pre-

emptive right under the Isaac Plains

joint venture agreement as well as

approval from the Australian Foreign

Investment Review Board.

Aquila has also been involved in

negotiations for the sale of its Washpool

hard coking coal project, north-east of

Blackwater.

BMA calls force majeure

Force majeure was declared across all BMA metallurgical coal operations in April. The company said heavy rainfall and industrial action had constrained coal production in the March quarter.

“Th e extent to which industrial action

will continue to aff ect production, sales

and unit costs is diffi cult to predict,

however with inventories now severely

depleted, the impact on future quarters

may be signifi cant,” BHP Billiton stated

in a nine-month production report to

the market.

Take heed of closure says MAIN

Th e Norwich Park mine closure

highlighted the fact that governments

must not take the current success of the

mining industry for granted, Mackay

Area Industry Network (MAIN)

managing director Narelle Pearse said.

“Mining companies can only sustain

In the pink

Hundreds of employees at Stanwell Corporation’s Meandu mine donned pink safety shirts in April for a major breast cancer awareness initiative.

About 190 of the site’s day-shift mining and administrative staff members, including Th iess and Stanwell employees, wore the shirts on April 18 to show their support for the fi ght against this form of cancer.

Staff on the mine’s three other shifts also wore pink shirts during the week.Meandu miners bought about 230 pink shirts all up for $50 each, with all

proceeds going to Cancer Council Queensland.

Wongai coal ‘signifi cant’

A proposed $500 million coking coal

mine 150km north-west of Cooktown

has been declared a signifi cant project by

the Queensland Co-ordinator-General.

Th e Wongai project was initiated

by an approach from the Kalpowar

traditional owners to Aust-Pac Capital

seeking assistance for the development

of sustainable economic enterprises

including an underground coal mine.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the

proposed project had the potential to

operate for at least 30 years and could

export 1.5 million tonnes of coking coal

per annum.

$430m mine sale

Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation has

snapped up a 50 per cent stake in the

Isaac Plains coal mine east of Moranbah

for $430 million.

so many additional costs. Th ey are

looking down the barrel at the carbon

tax, Mineral’s Resource Rent Tax, and

potential increased royalties,” she said.

However Ms Pearse said speculation

the closure of the Dysart mine signalled

trouble for the industry as a whole were

exaggerated, with proposed mines and

mine expansions worth $32.5 billion

under study for the Mackay region.

Th e BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance

(BMA) in April announced it would

cease production at Norwich Park

indefi nitely, saying the mine had been

losing money for several months

as a result of reduced production, a

signifi cant increase in costs and lower

coal prices. BMA asset president,

Stephen Dumble said the company

would now focus on implementing

measures that would enable Norwich

Park to operate as a sustainably

profi table, low-cost mine.

Palmer in bid for Parliament

Billionaire mining magnate Clive

Palmer has announced plans to enter

federal politics, taking on Treasurer

Wayne Swan in his northside Brisbane

seat of Lilley.

Th e Mineralogy owner said he would be

lodging an expression of interest to seek

pre-selection to run against Mr Swan

for the marginal Labor seat at the next

election.

“I believe I am the best person to

represent Lilley and will be seeking

LNP pre-selection. Th e people deserve

better than Wayne Swan,” Mr Palmer

said.

12 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateMount Isa Mining Expo

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Isa sitting pretty for 2012 event As expo time arrives, Chamber of Commerce

president Brett Peterson highlights the

buoyant conditions in this rich mining region.

An impressive raft of resource

projects under way and in

planning in north-west

Queensland has generated extra

interest in the 2012 Xstrata

Mount Isa Mining Expo,

organisers say.

Mount Isa Chamber of

Commerce president Brett

Peterson said the North West

Minerals Province was proud to

lead Australia in the production

of base metals.

“Our claim to be the largest

known store of commercially

recoverable base metals in the

world was cemented by last

fi nancial year’s total value of

mining production in north-

west Queensland reaching over

$8.5 billion,” he said.

Mr Peterson said 2012

had kicked off well with

Legend releasing tenders for

the construction of a 1mtpa

phosphate rock benefi ciation

plant at Paradise South.

Xstrata Zinc had committed

major capital to growth projects

in the Mount Isa region over the

past 18 months, while Xstrata

Copper North Queensland

had completed its project to

transition Ernest Henry Mining

to underground operations,

extending the life of the mine by

more than 12 years, he said.

Development of the MMG

Dugald River project, 85km

north-east of Mount Isa, would

involve capital expenditure

in excess of $800 million, Mr

Peterson said.

“As a result of the mentioned

projects, continued exploration

and many other developments in

the pipeline, it is no wonder that

demand for sites at the Xstrata

Mount Isa Mining Expo was

unsurpassed - with many fi rst-

time exhibitors demonstrating a

keen interest in the north west.”

Th e 2012 Xstrata Mount Isa

Mining Expo events begin with

the Port of Townsville Mining

the North West Conference on

May 14, followed by expo set-up

on May 15. Th e exhibition will

be held from May 16 to 18 at

Buchanan Park.

Mr Peterson said expo

organisers had increased

networking opportunities in

2012 with the addition of

an Engineers Australia and

Australasian Institute of Mining

and Metallurgy function on

Tuesday night, May 15.

“We remain committed to

providing quality networking

opportunities throughout the

week,” he said.

Th e Port of Townsville Mining

the North West Conference

had been expanded to a full day

and provided a unique low-cost

opportunity to gain an insight

into projects and developments

in the area, Mr Peterson said.

Th e Diamantina Power Station

consortium has joined the

expo’s list of supporters, hosting

a breakfast event on May 17

to focus on infrastructure and

business opportunities in the

region.

Th e RACQ NQ Rescue team plans a major

drive at Xstrata’s Mount Isa and Cloncurry

operations in June to encourage staff to make

payroll contributions to the rescue helicopter

service.

“Although we have received government

approval now to be tasked by the Queensland

Ambulance Service, we still don’t receive

government funding - we are still relying

heavily on the community and corporate

support,” NQ Rescue chief executive offi cer

Alex Dorr said.

Hundreds attended a recent open day in

Mount Isa organised to offi cially mark the

RACQ coming on board as the naming

sponsor for the service.

Mr Dorr said that commitment in December

had allowed NQ Rescue to acquire the

Mine visits planned

to drum up support

twin-engine IFR (instrument fl ight rules) aircraft required to become an approved State Government helicopter rescue service.

Th is means the helicopter is able to respond with an intensive care fl ight paramedic to emergency service call-outs.

While the State Government pays for the hours fl own on approved call-outs, Mr Dorr said it cost $1.1 million a year just to have the helicopter in Mount Isa.

“Th ree quarters of our funding comes from the mining sector - they are big stakeholders in our operation,” he said.

An open day marked the RACQ sponsorship deal.

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Xstrata’s great leap forwardThis mining giant has set its zinc arm

on an unprecedented growth path in

Australia, writes Belinda Humphries.

Xstrata Zinc has embarked

on its biggest spending

spree yet in Australia

for capital works, with

Mount Isa taking the

lion’s share of the growth

funds, according to Brian

Hearne.

Xstrata Zinc Australia’s

chief operating offi cer said

more than $1 billion worth

Xstrata Zinc Australia chief operating offi cer Brian Hearne. Photo: Rob Parsons

Handlebar Hill Open Cut

South Project to further

expand that operation and

extend mine life to 2014.

Six other major

developments are under

way in the Mount Isa

region to make the most

of the capacity of the local

zinc-lead concentrator,

including a $70 million

this year for the Black Star

South project, which could

add 13 million tonnes of

ore to the profi le of that

mine, and a $47 million

pre-feasibility study began

last year for the multi-

commodity Mount Isa

Open Pit project.

“If proven viable, the

Mount Isa Open Pit will

extend our operations

20-30 years beyond the

current life of mine of

2032,” Mr Hearne said.

“Th e Mount Isa Open

of zinc expansion works

and project planning had

been set in motion or

completed within the past

year and a half in north-

west Queensland and the

Northern Territory.

“Xstrata Zinc is on an

unprecedented growth

path in Australia,” Mr

Hearne said.

He said the

development projects

in Mount Isa had been

encouraged by a 91 per

cent increase in zinc

reserves from 2005 to

126 million tonnes in

2011, including the Lady

Loretta project.

Xstrata Zinc completed

a $40 million Handlebar

Hill open-cut expansion

and the $133 million Black

Star Open Cut Deeps

project in 2011, adding

more than 16 million

tonnes to its inventory

of mineable ore. Th e

company also recently

approved the $30 million

project to cut bottlenecks

in concentrator operations.

Xstrata Zinc recently

approved a further

$57 million to accelerate

development of its

$246 million Lady Loretta

project, under construction

about 140km north-west

of Mount Isa, bringing

forward the expected

start-up to late 2012.

Work continues on

the $274 million George

Fisher mine expansion,

developing a second

shaft and associated

infrastructure for the

northern part of the

mine to boost annual

production rates by almost

30 per cent to 4.5 million

tonnes by 2013.

A new $36 million

crushing facility, also at

George Fisher mine, is

near completion with

commissioning due to

occur in the coming weeks.

An $8 million feasibility

study is due to conclude

Pit has the potential to

unlock a wealth of world-

class resources which

remain in the ground at

Mount Isa.”

Th e company recorded

a 6 per cent increase in ore

mined in 2011 compared

to 2010 for its Mount Isa

zinc operations, taking

the total to more than

9 million tonnes. Th e

expansion projects are

designed to accelerate

production to a sustainable

combined feed of about

10mtpa by late 2013.

Xstrata Zinc has

also submitted an

environmental impact

statement for the Phase 3

development project of

McArthur River Mine in

the Northern Territory,

proposing to increase

that operation’s mineable

reserves from an identifi ed

53 million tonnes to

115 million tonnes,

extending the life of mine

by nine years to 2036.

14 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateMount Isa Mining Expo

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Another post for AusImm chiefAusIMM president Alice Clark has been appointed Professorial Head of Geometallurgy Research at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre ( JKMRC) at the University of Queensland.

JKMRC director Professor Geoff Gault said Ms Clark had extensive experience in exploration geology as well as holding mine geology and planning roles at Mount Isa Mines (now Xstrata) and operating her own consulting business - CdeK Geological & Mining Services.

Ms Clark, a Mount Isa resident, was elected president of Th e AusIMM for 2011 and is serving a second term in 2012.

Incitec Pivot haul deal sealedQR National has signed two long-term haulage agreements with Incitec Pivot (IPL) covering the transport of formed sulphur to Mount Isa from the Port of Townsville and the transport of sulphuric acid to Phosphate Hill from the Sun Metals refi nery outside Townsville and from IPL’s Mount Isa.

Th e contract for sulphuric acid haulage is an extension of an existing contract with Southern Cross Fertilisers and incorporates

increased tonnages, while the sulphur contract is a new contract. IPL vice-president Northern Australia manufacturing, Gerrish

Burstow, said the haulage agreements with QR National had increased fl exibility through additional services and longer trains.

Fine for slurry pipeline spillMMG Century has been fi ned $40,000 over the zinc slurry spill from its Lawn Hill to Karumba pipeline in October 2009.

Th e Mount Isa Magistrates Court also ordered the company to pay investigation costs of $5000 and donate $40,000 to an environmentally relevant project.

Th e penalties stemmed from a charge under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 of unlawfully causing material environmental harm after a pipeline rupture allowed the uncontrolled release of 750 cubic metres of slurry over 1.5ha of fl at grassland in north-west Queensland.

MMG Queensland operations manager Mark Adams said the company had spent almost $10 million on incident response and remediation works following the pipeline breach.

Th is included the removal of all soil contaminated by the zinc concentrate slurry and rehabilitation at the site.

“We appreciate that the magistrate took into account our work to remediate the site when handing down his decision,” he said.

“Following the incident, Century expanded its inspection and monitoring program to include the use of a new condition monitoring technique to provide further certainty.”

Work will be conducted at various points along the pipeline in 2012 as part of Century’s infrastructure maintenance program.

Xstrata Zinc plans to begin

recruiting underground

personnel for its Lady Loretta

mine in north-west Queensland

within months.

Xstrata Zinc Australia chief

operating offi cer Brian Hearne

said work was well advanced

on mining and associated

infrastructure works at the high-

grade zinc-lead-silver deposit.

“By the end of May, all

accommodation facilities on site

will be complete,” Mr Hearne

said.

“Th e mine decline has

advanced to more than 900m

and work on all three shafts has

progressed.

“Bulk earthworks, plant

roads, site offi ces, warehouse,

water and power services have

all advanced with construction

progress estimated at 18 per cent

complete.”

Major packages to be tendered

in coming months include a

McNamara Highway upgrade,

reinforced earth wall, mechanical

and electrical installation of the

crushing circuit, 11KV power

distribution and supply of

ventilation fans.

Tenders will also be invited

for the supply of 66KV power

including packages for the

equipment supply as well as

transmission line installation.

Mr Hearne said the company

had already awarded 12 site

Lady Loretta charges ahead

Krucible Metals expects a

decision on the environmental

management plan for its

fi ve-million-tonne Korella

phosphate deposit, 130km

south-east of Mount Isa, to be

handed down by the end of May.

Provided the decision is

positive, the company believes

the Queensland Government

should grant a mining lease in

July or August.

Major work packages are up for grabs as this

greenfi elds zinc development draws nearer

to production outside Mount Isa.

contracts, eight services agreements and 12 major supply agreements for Lady Loretta.

A further six tenders have closed and are under evaluation.

Th e Lady Loretta project

would be Xstrata Zinc’s fi rst greenfi eld underground mine, Mr Hearne said.

Development work continues at Xstrata Zinc’s Lady Loretta project, about 140km north-west of Mount Isa.

pipeline and the Phosphate Hill operation, which has agreed to share accommodation and airport facilities.

Mr Alston said the purity and quality of Korella’s phosphate rock - rated at more than 30 per cent – was another prime advantage.

“Purity is very important as lower phosphate rates of 15 to 20 per cent must be benefi ciated – a costly and complex process – before fertiliser plants will accept it,” he said.

“Fortunately that doesn’t apply to us. And while our deposit

is relatively small compared to most phosphate companies, some of whom have 100 million tonnes-plus, they generally don’t broadcast their grade is lower at 15 to 20 per cent.

“Other advantages of being small include the fact we don’t have a processing plant, we’ll be using contractor operators for a relatively small tonnage, we don’t have maintenance costs as such and our capital development costs are relatively low.

“So if prices aren’t good, we can just ‘park’ the Korella

project, with minimal mainten-ance costs, until the economy improves.”

Mr Alston said Krucible’s intention was to bring 600,000 tonnes of phosphate through the port of Townsville annually.

“Th at slots in quite neatly with Queensland Rail’s schedule of so many trains just twice a week without any change to their rolling stock or line capacity,” he said.

Mr Alston said apart from sharing facilities with Krucible, Phosphate Hill operator Incitec

Pivot was in no way involved in the Korella operation.

“I can’t speak for them, but down the track it’s possible they may buy some rock phosphate from us at the mine gate for their superphosphate plant in Geelong,” he said.

Mr Alston said Australia and New Zealand between them were importing about one million tonnes of rock phosphate annually.

“We hope to supply the major customers in both of those countries as well as others in Indonesia and India,” he said.

Krucible managing director Tony Alston said this would allow trial mining and bulk sampling to start in late 2012 or early 2013, with samples to be sent to fertiliser companies to secure off take agreements for direct shipping ore.

Mr Alston said Korella’s mining life was estimated at six to seven years, with an anticipated start-up date of mid-2013 for full-scale production.

Th e deposit boasts close proximity to the government railway line, sealed roads, a gas

Krucible aims for 2013 start-up at Korella

Tony AlstonKrucible managing director

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CuDeco expects to hire about 50 people in the next few months as its Rocklands Group copper project ramps up after receiving the fi nal approvals for mining operations.

But would-be employees need not apply unless they want to live in Cloncurry.

CuDeco logistics manager John Green said company executives were not fans of the fl y in-fl y out model and believed they would have a happier and more productive workforce by recruiting people who wanted to be part of the Cloncurry community.

“It also makes us a lot more accountable to the community because blokes like me have to walk down to the local bakery and people will tell us if they’re not happy with something we’ve done or we are not supporting

the town enough,” he said.“Th e management of CuDeco

thinks community is the wealth of this region. We believe it’s a fair thing to put back into the region we’re taking from.”

CuDeco received Queensland Government approval on April 20 for the plan of operations for the Rocklands project, 15km west of Cloncurry and 100km east of Mount Isa.

Mr Green said this allowed the company to begin clearing the land and it had structures on order to establish a site offi ce, medical centre and gatehouse.

He expected construction to begin in earnest in June and said the company was keen to recruit ticketed machinery operators.

“We’re hoping to be in production by the end of next year,” he said.

Mr Green expected about 400

Exco exploration boostExco Resources is expanding exploration activities within its north-west Queensland tenement package, with a 2012 budget of up to $10 million.

Th e company said its principal target in the Eastern Succession of the Mount Isa Inlier was an Ernest Henry-style IOCG (iron-oxide-copper-gold) mineralisation, with work in the Cloncurry area during the second half of 2011 identifying three new priority areas at Salebury South, Elder Creek and Canteen.

Roseby resource growsAltona Mining has announced upgrades to the mineral resource estimates for three deposits at its Roseby project, near Mount Isa, taking the project total to 1.29 million tonnes of contained copper and 431,000oz contained gold.

Th e company said the Ivy Ann, Lady Clayre and Bedford deposits were envisaged as satellite feeder pits to the much

larger Little Eva mine and processing plant at Roseby.Altona said a defi nitive feasibility study would be completed

in mid-2012 for the potential production of 32,000 tonnes per annum of copper and 15,000oz per annum of gold for 10 years from a large-scale open-pit mining operation.

Action at IvanhoeIvanhoe Australia has completed a scoping study for north-west Queensland’s Mount Elliott project, one of the largest copper-gold mineralised systems discovered in Australia.

Th e company said more work was required before a pre-feasibility study, however the scoping work found that the original Mount Elliott underground mine could be mined via open pit and processed at Osborne.

Ivanhoe Australia’s board has undergone a shake-up after its major shareholder Ivanhoe Mines secured a substantial fi nancing package from Rio Tinto to continue development of the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia.

All-clear for Rocklands miningThe company developing this Cloncurry

district site takes pride in its support for the

local community, writes Belinda Humphries.

people to be employed during the construction phase and 150 to be directly employed for the Rocklands operations.

A processing plant with a capacity of three million tonnes per annum is being fabricated in China for the Cloncurry mine, where it is expected to produce about 480,000 tonnes of copper/

gold, pyrite/cobalt and magnetite concentrates annually.

Th e plant has been designed so that the throughput can be increased to 5.5mtpa.

State approval for the plan of operation is the culmination of more than six years of work by CuDeco, with more than $75 million spent on the

Rocklands project including more than 400,000m of drilling.

Mr Green said to fi nally have the green light for the open-cut operation was a little surreal.

“I don’t think people appreciate just how hard it is to get a greenfi elds mine operational in Queensland,” he said.

A refurbished

digger is tested

at the Rocklands

Group site in

preparation for

clearing and

mining.

16 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateSurat Basin Expo Update

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Beaconsfi eld mine disaster survivor Brant Webb will be among the key speakers at a new feature of this year’s Surat Basin Energy and Mining Expo, the Underground Luncheon.

Mr Webb – who was trapped for 14 days almost 1km underground after an unexpected rock fall at the Tasmanian gold mine – has teamed up with BLH Safety Solutions.

He will showcase the BLH Stop Drop safety barricading and guarding systems, as well as sharing his personal experiences, at the expo.

Th e Underground Luncheon will also feature Usher Wealth

Strong interest has seen organisers add 100

sites to this year’s Surat Basin Energy and

Mining Expo, along with extra social events.

Industry showcase steps up a notch

for exhibitors is planned for the 2012 expo as well.

One hundred extra trade sites have been added for this year’s expo, only the second to be held, according to organisers.

Australian Events marketing manager Paul Niehus said the 2012 event, to be held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds on June 20-21, would feature 520 exhibit sites.

“Th e demand has been very strong,” he said.

Organisers are expecting at least 7000 people from relevant industries to register to attend.

Recruitment is among the markets the expo targets.

Mr Niehus said that of about 6500 visitors to the expo last year, 1800 had been looking for a job start or change of career in the resources industry.

founder Holly Grofski and Rio Tinto health and wellness co-ordinator David Nilson.

An evening welcome function

Brant Webb

New chief at Ostwald BrosOstwald Bros has appointed the former Queensland Major Contractors Association president Steve Abson as its fi rst chief operating offi cer.

Mr Abson, a qualifi ed civil engineer, will be responsible for the overall operating activities of the Darling Downs-based civil contracting business and help it capitalise on the projected growth in the Queensland construction sector.

Cotter appointment applaudedIndustry groups have welcomed the LNP Government’s appointment of John Cotter to head a Gasfi elds Commission.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney recently announced plans for the Toowoomba-based commission to work with the Government to ensure the CSG industry struck the right balance to meet the interests of landholders, community groups and environment.

Th e group will comprise chairman John Cotter - a former AgForce president and chairman of the Surat Basin Coal Seam Gas Engagement Group – along with six commissioners.

QGC managing director Derek Fisher said that company was delighted that Mr Cotter would continue his valuable work to foster co-existence between the gas sector and agricultural communities.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chief executive offi cer Shane Charles described the selection as “fantastic”.

17The Mining Advocate | May 2012 Surat Basin Expo Update

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United voice to advance regionFighting for a fair share of infrastructure funds

is a top priority as a fresh industry force takes

shape in Queensland’s energy heartland.

Two key economic development groups have joined forces to create a united voice in a new regional peak body trading as Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

Chief executive offi cer Shane Charles said Surat Basin Corporation members cleared the way for the move when they agreed unanimously at a meeting in April to wind up that organisation and form the joint entity with Toowoomba Regional Enterprise.

“Th e members of both organisations felt that it was crazy to be competing against each other for resources and membership when the issues aff ecting both organisations were largely one and the same,” he said.

Surat Basin Corporation chief executive offi cer David Breese had accepted a position as safety manager with Abigroup.

Attracting investment to the region and lobbying for infrastructure would be priorities for Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, Mr Charles said.

“Our region hasn’t been good at selling itself in the past and we feel that we’ve missed out on about $60 billion in infrastructure funding in the past 20 years in Toowoomba,” he said.

“With the economic boom being experienced in the Surat Basin, we feel it’s important that governments now appreciate the benefi ts our regions are bringing to the state economy.”

Membership would be another key focus, Mr Charles said.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise would give members opportunities such as targeted networking events and details of contracts coming up for tender.

Mr Charles, the chief executive offi cer for Toowoomba Regional Enterprise, will continue in that role in the new body. He said former

Th e State Government has approved QGC’s $150 million Social Impact Management Plan for the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) project and a $200 million Santos GLNG plan

Santos GLNG president Mark Macfarlane said the operator had held discussions with a wide range of people in the Maranoa, Western Downs, Banana and Gladstone regions to help prioritise its community funding commitments.

Th e key focus areas identifi ed were water and the environment, community safety, social infrastructure and roads, local business and skills development, Aboriginal engagement, and community wellbeing and liveability.

Mr Macfarlane said Santos GLNG had already implemented a number of initiatives detailed in its Social Impact Management Plan, including the upgraded Roma Airport and establishment of a new aero-medical evacuation service in the Surat Basin.

Th e QCLNG plan involves commitments of about $150 million by 2014 including $26.5 million for housing, $3.5 million for Gladstone Hospital and a $6 million Sustainable Communities Fund for not-for-profi t organisations and local governments from Gladstone to the Western Downs.

Lift-off for community funds

Santos GLNG invested $2.5 million in the Roma airport upgrade.

Cockatoo plans progressTh e draft terms of reference have been released for Cockatoo Coal’s proposed Taroom thermal coal operation, 3km south-east of Taroom, and Collingwood project, 12km north-east of Wandoan.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the projects had the potential to operate for up to 20 years and could export 13 million tonnes of thermal coal a year.

“If approved, they would be important coal exporters through the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal,” he said.

“Taken together, these projects are expected to attract capital investment of approximately $1.8 billion, generate up to 1000 construction jobs and employ 950

operational workers, with further regional jobs from fl ow-on economic development.”

Wandoan objectors failTh e Queensland Land Court has come down in favour of Xstrata Coal’s mining lease applications for the Wandoan Coal Project. Th e recommendation that the Queensland Government approve the leases followed a Land

Court hearing in August 2011 relating to objections received from eight landholders and Friends of the Earth Australia.

Xstrata Coal Queensland chief operating offi cer Reinhold Schmidt said

the Land Court’s recommendation acknowledged Xstrata Coal had followed a thorough and rigorous environmental assessment and review process throughout the development of the Wandoan Coal Project

Th e Wandoan Coal Project is expected to be a 22mtpa saleable thermal coal operation, with further growth potential.

Toll wins QGC workQueensland Curtis LNG Project developer QGC has awarded a $45 million transport and storage contract to Toll Energy Logistics.

Th e contract covers transportation of materials and equipment from suppliers to worksites and the management of storage facilities to support construction activity in QGC’s gasfi elds in the Surat Basin.

Toll will operate a QGC warehouse and lay-down area about 10km east of Miles on the Warrego Highway.

Th e contract runs until December 2014.

Shane CharlesToowoomba and Surat Basin

Enterprise chief executive offi cer

18 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateBETWEEN SHIFTS

Whilst some pay the ultimatesacrifice, others returnrequiring assistanceRSL (Queensland Branch) supports over 45,000 currentand ex-service personnel.

Your support of the RSL will help provide vital services tothese men and women.

Your direct donation, bequest or sponsorship will make areal difference and enable the RSL to continue with thisvital 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

Quarrying and small mines safety and health seminar

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Rydges Southbank Convention Centre, Townsville

Alice Springs Convention Centre

John Fahey (BQC Quarries), Gavin Markwell (Markwell Group)

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Dan Campbell (Nordev Contractors) and Mike Newcombe

(TG Jung Quarries).

Steve Firth (Department of Natural Resources and Mines), Mark

Parcell (Mine Safety Institute of Australia) and Paul Sutton (IQA).

Zonda Wallace (Mines Inspector) and Stephen Frost (MGT Mining). Witek Jablonski and Amanda Croker (both from Hanson).

Richard Smith, Tracey Rogers, Cindy McIntyre, Allan Holland and Rick

Bishop (all from the Northern Territory Department of Resources).

Patrick Lyons (Mithril Resources) with Rebecca Powlett and Jonathon

Trewartha (Goldner Associates).

Alan Spence and Hamish Johns (Emmerson Resources) with Matthew Hill

(UWA) and Adam Walters (Emmerson Resources).

Darryl Cook (HES) with Andrew and Wendy Jettner (Minesite Services) and

Fred May (May Drilling).

Aaron Tongalea and Dwayne McBain (both from Hanson).

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Gladstone Region Economic Development Conference cocktail party

Mount Isa Mines 20, 30 and 40-year service dinners

Mining and resources industry networking night

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Casa Grande, Mount Isa

Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

Professor John Cole (USQ) and Ron Hawkins (McDonald’s

Restaurants).

Ros Westman (HPD Creative), Shez Wright (Mindworks) and

Michelle Lamont (Corporate Accountants).

Jeff and Sue Jones (both from Turawarre Constructions) with Rick

Hansen (Gladstone Regional Council).

Patrick Hastings (QGC) with Poya Sobhanian. Greg Clarke (Gladstone Regional Council), Karen Sweeney (GAPDI)

and David Sweeney (People Resources).

Pushpa Bakshi (Gladstone Regional Council) and Sue Saban

(Gladstone City Central Apartments).

Vance Martin (20 years’ service) with wife Gayle. Simon Bulgarelli (20 years) with wife Janelle. Callaghan McCarthy (30 years’ service) with

wife Vera.

Alan McGill (30 years) and wife Nicole.

Kiley Drake (Shangri-La), Megan Jacobs and

Rebecca Vella (both from JobFind).

Sharon Thompson (Skills 360) and Brigid Fleming

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Rob Chilcott and Ian Button (both Independent

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21The Mining Advocate | May 2012 BETWEEN SHIFTS

Investing In Our Future conference

Aurecon client function

Harvest Life Christian Church conference facility, Emerald

Windmill Function Centre, Mackay

Kay Becker (Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service) with

Rachelle Lobodin, Gene Kennedy and Hannah Sorensen (all

from Generate PR) and Vincent Cosgrove (BMA).

Stephen Wallace (RPS Mackay) with Peter Deguara (Gainbight)

and Dave Francy.

Grant Craker (OAQ Hire) with wife, Susie Craker.

Trevor Camilleri (Echochaff ) with Paul Zammit (River City Homes)

and Claudia MacBride (Echochaff ).

Peter Maguire (Central Highlands Regional Council), Sandra Hobbs

(Central Highlands Development Corporation) and Peter FitzSimons.

David Croce, Mike Crauther, Grant Paterson and Ralph Loesche

(all from Aurecon).

Gai Sypher (CQ University) and Maureen Tutton (Rio Tinto).

Ross Shepherd (Denar), Andrew Deguara (Gainbight) and Duncan

Nelson (Aurecon).

Sharon and Rex Vegt (Australian Industry Engineering and

Manufacturing Network) with Monica Sidhu (Central Highlands

Regional Council).

Claire Ryan and Jason Kroll (from Aurecon) with Pat Aprile

(Transport and Main Roads) and Josh Anderson (Aurecon).

Alanna Edwards and Nea Hamblin (Isaac Regional Council).

Nat Dzadey (Ground Environment) with Neil Proposch, Neil Barr

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22 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateBETWEEN SHIFTS

Bowen Basin Mining Club luncheon

Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Invest Conference welcome drinks

Souths Leagues Club, Mackay

Bridges Cafe and Bar, Mackay

Matthew Dalton and Andrew Caulton (both from John

Holland) with Heather Patava (Bigmate).

Scott Waters (Whitsunday Coast Airport) with Ross Contarino

(Townsville Enterprise).

Paul Price (Haymens), Kristie Wealleans (Parklands), Andrew

Peachey (BGW Group) and Adam Homes (Hager B&R).

Robert Martin (Akasa Management) with Liz and Kim Newbold

(both from Raylan).

Peter Hay (Australian Industrial Rental), Lee Brown (Rutherford

Hire) and Graeme Husking (Performance on Hand).

Adam Stevenson (Queensland Government) with Mark Gaudry

(Whitsunday Regional Council).

Nicole Armitage (CQ Health Access) with Leon Shorthouse and

Nikki Maloney (both from Manpower).

Kevin McLean (NQ Survey Supplies), Joanne Galea (Design For

Creations) and Andrew Cappello (Mackay Sugar).

Margaret Davies (Anglo American), Jodie Currie (Bowen Basin

Mining Club), Jan Anfruns (Anglo American) and Colin Watson

(AECOM).

Howard Kuipers (Flexi Hire), Paul Clark (McElligotts), Brett Sartor

(Force Access), Justin Sorensen (Thomas & Coff ey) and Kerry

Laycock (Flexi Hire).

Elisa Terry (Queensland Government), Colin Graham (Causeway

Innovation) and Justin Noonan (JBA Mechanical Engineering).



23The Mining Advocate | May 2012 LIVING REMOTELY

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Modular accommodation builders, Hutchinson Builders, have developed innovative solutions for high-density remote area accommodation.

Suitable land in regional mining and port communities such as Moranbah was so scarce that the only way forward was to develop multi-level accommodation, Hutchinson Builders business development manager Paul David said.

He said also market research indicated these communities now preferred a more urban approach to accommodation.

Hutchinson Builders has developed a three-level modular self-contained apartment product that caters for short and permanent stays.

Initially designed for a major iron ore producer in the Pilbara, it features one and two-bedroom apartments complete with private balconies, hotel-style lobbies and lift services for occupants.

“Th e idea evolved from our multi-level modular Mackay Project delivered in 2011, where we completed a three-level, 72-unit accommodation project in

A three-level modular apartment complex has

been designed to make the most of space in

resource industry hot spots, writes Jan Green.

In tight sites, the only way is upfi ve months,” Mr David said.

“Traditionally this project, conventionally built, would have taken 12 months.

“However, the units were built in our Brisbane facility utilising more cost-effi cient labour than what’s available in remote areas and transported and placed into position with cranes and a 12-man site crew.”

Mr David said the accommodation camps and villages being erected now were larger than ever.

“Some are 2000-room plus complexes,” he said.

“Not only is this an ineffi cient use of land, the cost of providing electrical and plumbing services, roads, paths and landscaping in these

villages is more than half the

cost of the entire village.

“So it naturally follows that

multi-level villages are far more

economical solutions.

“Also, the message that

Hutchinson is trying to get

across to the market is, a donga

doesn’t have to look like a

donga.”

Hutchinson Builders’ three-level design meets economic and demographic

needs in remote locations.

Discovery Parks has opened the fi rst stage of its workforce accommodation village in Cloncurry following continued investment in north-west Queensland over the past 12 months.

Discovery Parks - Cloncurry is set to include 148 dedicated single workforce rooms, featuring

en suites and king single beds. Other facilities include a

dining hall catering for more than 200 people, plus laundry and recreational facilities.

Th e fi rst stage of the development - including 68 rooms, the dining hall and laundry facilities - is now available for guests. It is to be

followed with the completion of stage 2 and the remaining 80 rooms by July.

Regional manager - workforce, Robyn Sefton, said Discovery Parks – Cloncurry recently welcomed CopperChem as the fi rst company to use the village for workforce accommodation.

“MKM Homes (developers) have to be commended on the modern style and high level of fi nish presented in the fi rst stage of the village,” Ms Sefton said.

“Discovery Parks is proud to be able to deliver such a facility, where comfort and quality design complement each other in meeting the guests needs.”

Th e McIlwraith St facility off ers full board, which includes buff et-style meals from the dining hall, takeaway crib lunches and all linen supplied.

Th e rooms are serviced at least once a week.

Work has begun on Th e Base

at Chinchilla, a $45 million

eco-friendly development

designed to accommodate

fl y in-fl y out workers in the

Surat Basin.

Carmichael Builders

has been commissioned to

undertake the project, located

near the Chinchilla town

centre, regional offi ces and

the Warrego Highway.

Project director Luke

Chalmers said a huge

shortage of quality accom-

modation translated into a

real problem in the area.

“So in providing a cost-

eff ective, high-quality living

environment for fl y in-fl y out

employees in the area, we are

also assisting in addressing

the growing problem of

attracting and retaining staff ,”

he said.

Th e Base at Chinchilla

will comprise 432 fully

catered rooms complete

with airconditioning, private

bathrooms, television,

refrigerator, internet access

and tea and coff ee facilities.

Other features include

offi ces (hot desks and IT

equipment for guests), media

rooms, recreation rooms with

pool tables, a gymnasium,

pool, barbeque areas and

outdoor pavilion seating.

Completion of the

development is scheduled for

mid-2012.

Village open for business Eco-friendly Chinchilla complex taking shape

An accommodation block at Discovery Parks - Cloncurry.

24 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateEducation feature

In a class of their ownIndependent Schools Queensland is among the

education bodies putting resources into schemes

targeting gifted students, writes Jan Green.

Th e special needs of gifted children have often been overlooked by educators, the assumption being that because they were bright, they would cope regardless of what was or wasn’t being taught.

Th e Queensland Association for Gifted and Talented Children (QAGTC) has been a driving force in raising awareness of the needs of gifted children for more than three decades.

In doing so, they have worked closed with Education Queensland, Catholic Education and Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ).

QAGTC state secretary Judith Hewton said literature and research indicated the commonly accepted notion of gifted applied to about 10 per cent of children.

“Th at’s a reasonable proportion of the overall student population, not just a few isolated instances,” she said.

Ms Hewton recognises the eff orts many Queensland teachers and schools have made to keep abreast of what should be happening to serve the needs of gifted children.

However, she expressed concern that Queensland teachers were not trained in gifted education.

Ms Hewton stressed this was not the fault of teachers, but an issue that universities and education systems urgently needed to address.

ISQ executive director David Robertson said his organisation had a long history of working in the area of gifted education.

It has collaborated with QAGTC on the Action Plan for Gifted Education project.

“Th e plan, which ISQ has been implementing for the past two years, focuses on identifying gifted students, understanding giftedness, underachievement, and the social and emotional needs of gifted students,” he said.

“It’s a whole school approach to strategic planning.

“Also, ISQ runs days of excellence for gifted students each year along with professional learning opportunities for teachers and in May this year our teachers will look at identifi cation procedures and acceleration protocols.

“In addition, ISQ is supporting our schools to attend a conference with an international leader in the fi eld of diff erentiating for

gifted education, Carol-Ann

Tomlinson.”

Ms Hewton believed

one measure of QAGTC’s

success was a more common

acceptance of the ‘g’ word,

thanks to strong advocacy

across the state.

“Not so long ago, to say a

child was gifted was considered

elitist. Fortunately, we are

overcoming that hurdle

by raising awareness and

providing accurate up-to-date

information,” she said.

Queensland

independent

school facts

Queensland independent

schools educate 110,000

students at 206 campuses

– that’s 15 per cent of all

school students and nearly

20 per cent of secondary

students.

Independent schools in

Queensland receive 50 per

cent of their income from

parents.

If non-state schools did

not exist in Australia,

governments would need

to spend an additional

$8.3 billion annually on

education.

Independent schools

provide boarding places

for 4000 students in

Queensland each year.

QAGTC state

secretary Judith

Hewton highlights

the needs of gifted

children in the

education system.

25The Mining Advocate | May 2012 Education feature

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Cranked-up curriculumA raft of Catholic Education initiatives including

industry partnerships are boosting children’s

learning experiences, writes Jan Green.

Catholic schools in the Townsville Diocese off er a number of programs over and above the Australian curriculum to strengthen and enhance student competence in English, maths, science and technologies.

Th e organisation also heavily invests in providing professional development for teachers to equip them with the knowledge and resources to implement these programs eff ectively, according to Townsville Catholic Education assistant director (curriculum), Ernie Christie.

“A number of Catholic secondary colleges off er fi rst-year university-level maths programs as well as English extension subjects that focus on literature as a separate strand to the Australian curriculum,” Mr Christie said.

“Writer-in-residence programs in our schools also provide a diff erent perspective and learning experience while our Primary Connections program – which has been running for four years - focuses on developing knowledge, skills, understanding and capacities in science.

“Our students can also take part in summer school science subjects.”

Mr Christie said Catholic Education was in the process of planning for the implementation of the Wonders of Science program through the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

“Th is program aims to foster an enthusiasm for science and engineering-based careers through an extensive science and technology-based experience,” he said.

“Our Catholic schools also partner with industry organisations such as CSIRO and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to deliver additional science programs such as Reef Ambassadors, Science Ambassadors, Scientists in Residence and a range of environmental education initiatives.

“Mining companies such as Xstrata are also heavily involved in our schools, particularly in Mount Isa and Cloncurry, facilitating work experience programs, traineeships and career opportunities.

“We greatly value our connections with industry which help us deliver these additional rich learning experiences for our students.

“Th e general capabilities that underpin the new Australian curriculum - literacy, numeracy, critical and creative thinking, information communication technology (ICT) competence, ethical behaviour, personal and social competence and inter-cultural understanding – provide our students with a strong and balanced education that we deliver in a Catholic environment.”

Junior science and maths specialist Janet Grice assists year 8 boarders with science prep.

In her new role as academic enrichment co-

ordinator, Kathryn Klotz – previously a full-time

Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) English teacher

- oversees a program that is providing an extra layer

of support to the school’s boarders.

Th e Academic Enrichment Program refl ects the

curriculum, teaching and learning practices of “day

school” classrooms and provides BGS boarders

with additional assistance to support, extend and

encourage them to reach their academic goals.

Director of boarding Simon Hill said a key

part of the program was the appointment of

four enrichment teachers who would bring their

signifi cant classroom expertise to boarders’ prep time

throughout each term.

“Th e additional time with these classroom teachers

will equate to an extra week’s worth of lessons by the

end of the year, which is a signifi cant boost for their

learning,” he said.

Mr Hill said the school’s 2011 Year 12 boarders

had returned outstanding academic results, with three

of the 21 graduates being among the 49 Queensland

year 12s who achieved an OP 1.

“Almost 50 per cent of boarders received an OP 1-5

and over 90 per cent received an OP 1-10,” he said.

“However, no school, regardless of how good

it is, can aff ord to rest on its laurels, so we see the

appointment of an academic enrichment co-ordinator,

in addition to the academic support structures already

in place in the boarding house, as an important

factor in continuing to provide the boys with the best

opportunity to fully explore their academic potential.”

Academic bonus for boarders

TAFE Open Learning off ers the opportunity

to learn and study anywhere, any time and

includes many Brisbane North Institute of

TAFE accredited programs.

It off ers recognised certifi cate and diploma

programs and accredited qualifi cations for

a variety of industry sectors plus a suite of

professional, non-accredited short courses for

a quick outcome or skills upgrade.

TAFE Open Learning manager Tanou

Siebenmann said demand for online short

courses was growing as more people looked

for fl exibility and mobility to suit their

lifestyle.

“Open Learning isn’t limited by semester

intakes or class numbers; students can enrol

any time and study at their own pace,” Mr

Siebenmann said.

“It’s a great option for those who don’t have

time to go to a campus, and the aff ordability

of courses also appeals.”

Virtual rooms - where students access a

live, online classroom environment with their

teacher and other students - are becoming

increasingly common.

Th ese sessions are recorded for participating

students to access and replay, a factor which

can be helpful in assisting with assessments.

Growing demand for online learning

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

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27The Mining Advocate | May 2012 Ivanhoe Australia feature

The production of concentrate from Ivanhoe Australia’s extensively refurbished Osborne processing plant in north-west Queensland has begun on schedule.

Some initial start-up problems in the rebuilt fl otation plant occurred, but general manager operations Neal Valk said these were quickly and easily remedied, allowing concentrate to be produced from early March.

“We are really pleased with the way things have gone, but the big positive as far as we are concerned is the fact the plant started up again after 18 months without any worker injury or

equipment damage,” he said.“From a safety point of view,

it has gone extremely well.“We’ve got an almost new

crew working here and of the 22 people employed at the plant, 75 per cent of them - including our new processing manager Geoff Lucas and plant metallurgist Kinga Galka - previously worked elsewhere.”

Due to the Osborne and Kulthor ore deposits supplying only 70,000 - 80,000 tonnes of ore per month, the plant is working on a campaign of eight days on, six days off .

“Th e processing crews fl y in on Tuesday morning then start up the plant, which runs

This resurrected north-west Queensland

copper-gold operation is tapping a new ore

source as processing restarts, writes Jan Green.

Osborneback online

until the following Wednesday morning before being shut down,” Mr Valk said.

Th e operation is expected to process ore at an annualised rate of 850,000-900,000 tonnes for the remainder of the year.

“It’s the fi rst time we’ve processed Kulthor ore – which is a new source – through the Osborne plant and, after only three campaigns, the crew has been able to obtain recoveries of around 92 per cent copper and

80 per cent gold,” Mr Valk said.“So we couldn’t be more

pleased. “We’ve all worked hard to

get to this point, so it’s most rewarding things have gone so well.”

The fl otation circuit in the refurbished processing plant at Ivanhoe Australia’s Osborne copper-gold operation.

Th e original workings of Ivanhoe Australia’s Starra 276 mine, formerly

owned by Arimco and Selwyn mines, have been re-entered and re-

established for the fi rst time since the operation was closed in the

early 2000s.

Contractor Byrnecut Mining has been commissioned to refurbish the

decline as well as beginning decline and level development.

Offi ces, a workshop and power have been established adjacent to the

original portal.

“We anticipate the fi rst sill level will commence development in

June with further level development later in the year,” Ivanhoe general

manager operations Neal Valk said. “Stope production is scheduled to

commence in January 2013 and the ore road-hauled 55km to Osborne.”

About 60,000 tonnes per month of copper-gold ore will be processed

at the Osborne treatment plant.

Mr Valk described Starra 276 mine as an integral part of the Ivanhoe

Australia strategy for development of the copper gold business.

A $12 million conversion of the Osborne

power station is under way as part of Ivanhoe’s

strategic plan for the Cloncurry district.

Th e aim of the conversion is to upgrade the

plant, originally built in 1996, to a higher gas

usage power station and provide lower-cost

power generation for the long term.

Ivanhoe general manager operations Neal

Valk said the project would replace the old

Wartsila diesel engines with new versions which

ran on 99 per cent gas and 1 per cent diesel.

“Th e upgrade also includes replacement of

the process control system (which runs the

station) and the refurbishment of some of the

infrastructure,” he said.

“Work to decommission the current engines

began in the last week of April while two of the

fi ve replacement engines are expected to arrive

at Brisbane port at the end of May.

“Th ese will be installed on site and

commissioned in late June and mid-July.”

Mr Valk said the remaining three engines

were being built in Finland and were expected

to be installed in fi nal quarter of the year.

He said Ivanhoe personnel would work in

conjunction with Wartsila engineers coming

out from Finland to complete the upgrade.

“In all, eight Finnish engineers will be

working on the project,” he said.

Power plant in $12m overhaulWork well advanced to restore the Starra shine

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28 May 2012 | The Mining Advocate

CanningtonProudly supporting mining communities

SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON

Building Mining Communities

Gladstone residents enthusiastically welcomed Olympic champion and Rio Tinto Ambassador Libby Trickett at Rio Tinto Alcan’s recent “Go for gold”’ Harbour Festival Street Parade.

The gold medalist swimmer is one of three Rio Tinto Ambassadors who are travelling across Australia to share their sporting dreams with Rio Tinto employees and communities.

Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun general manager Mike Dunstan said that employees and their families had looked forward to Libby’s visit.

“I can’t think of a better athlete to show our young people the importance of teamwork, respect, integrity and accountability,” he said.

As a proud partner of the Australian Olympic Team, Rio Tinto is helping more than 400 Australian athletes realise their dreams and “go for gold” at the London Olympic Games later this year.

Rio Tinto is also the offi cial provider of the metal being used to produce the 4700 gold, silver and bronze medals for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Rio Tinto Ambassador Libby Trickett at Rio Tinto Alcan’s Harbour Festival Street Parade in Gladstone.

Gladstone goes for gold The Brisbane Broncos NRL team visited Dalby recently in the fi rst of three annual Arrow Energy Brisbane Broncos Fan Days.

More than 1000 people attended, with young fans queuing to have their photographs taken with the Broncos players and their apparel autographed as well as joining in a game of touch football.

A three-year partnership will see Arrow deliver a host of Broncos events to Surat Basin communities including a fan day once a year, fi ve regional coaching clinics per year and four player-led Broncos’ Book Club sessions.

Junior players from the area will also be invited to join the biggest rugby league stage as part of half-time entertainment during NRL matches at Suncorp Stadium.

Keen Dalby fan day participants included bride Debby Attwood who visited in her white gown on the way to marry David Skerman at the Baptist Church.

She was joined by bridesmaids Megan Roy and Lucy Clark, and fl ower-girl Natalie Kruger, joking with the Broncos and having their photograph taken.

The fan day was followed by an April visit from Brisbane Broncos playmakers Peter Wallace and Jordan Kahu to remote schools on the Western Downs for a series of rugby league training clinics.

Brisbane Broncos players Corey Parker, Jordan Kahu and the Broncos Game Development Team visited Moura, Biloela and Gladstone recently as part of the Anglo American Brisbane Broncos Regional Tour Program.

The visit coincided with a ceremony at Moura Child Care Centre to mark a $100,000 donation from Anglo American’s Dawson mine.

Dawson mine general manager Russell Conley joined Parker to unveil a plaque at the centre and meet with local youths and parents.

“Anglo American is proud to support our local communities and our $100,000 donation will help secure a vital childcare service for

families in Moura,” Mr Conley said. “We’re also very pleased to provide local kids with the opportunity to meet some of their heroes. ”

In Biloela, Parker and Kahu visited Callide mine to join in Shave for Cure fundraising activities.

The regional tour moved on to Gladstone, where the Broncos team ran an information session at Gladstone State High School for years 11 and 12, before travelling to Gladstone West State School, where 200 school children participated in a skills clinic. Next stop on the Anglo American Brisbane Broncos Regional Tour Program will be Middlemount.

Fans out in force

The Bowen Basin Leadership Group has commissioned Health Workforce Queensland to develop a plan to deliver sustainable and appropriate health care services across the region.

Health Workforce Queensland, part of a network of Rural Workforce Agencies within Australia, was originally established to help address the critical shortage of rural and remote general practitioners in Queensland and to promote greater health service options for country Queenslanders.

“We believe they have the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver a plan that will meet the needs of our communities,” Central Highlands Mayor Peter Maguire said.

The project, which will cost about $200,000, is being funded by key members of the leadership group, including the Banana, Isaac and Central Highlands regional councils and resource companies with interests in the region.

Rio Tinto - which runs the Clermont, Blair Athol, Kestrel and Hail Creek mines - is a major

partner in the project.Cr Maguire, the Bowen Basin

Leadership Group chairman, said the group had long held the view that the delivery of health services had been one of the major issues impacting on local communities.

“A key focus of the project will be on consulting local community representatives and service providers about their priorities, plans and capacity for future service delivery,” he said.

“There will also be an emphasis on developing options for implementing a plan that

Domestic violence plagues all levels of society. In a bid to assist victims, Gladstone’s Co-ordinated Community Response to Domestic and Family Violence (CCRDFV) came up with the idea of producing handy safety cards.

Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) fi rst supported the printing of the cards in 1995 and has continued to do so with the latest batch off the press.

The pocket-sized cards contain information on crucial services for victims of domestic and family violence.

Gladstone District Police Domestic and Family Violence co-ordinator and CCRDFV co-ordinator

Sergeant Vicki Dredge described the cards as a valuable community resource and thanked QAL for its continued support in producing them.

“Domestic violence is not discriminating and friends, family members, neighbours or work colleagues can all be subject to it,” she said.

“Also, many people don’t always know where to turn to for help and so these small cards can be very useful in providing fi rst points of contact.”

Sgt Dredge said the safety cards were widely distributed in the Gladstone area.

“And the fact we reprint them regularly is testimony to how important they are,” she said.

Spotlight on coalfi elds health care

Pocket-sized pointers to tackle violence

Anglo gives CQ chance

to meet Broncos players

Bride Debby Attwood, bridesmaids Megan Roy and Lucy Clark, and

fl ower-girl Natalie Kruger were among the groups to have their

photograph taken with Broncos players Dale Copley, Ben Hannant,

Alex Glenn, Josh Hoff man and Matt Gillett.

29The Mining Advocate | May 2012

CanningtonProudly supporting mining communities

SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON

Building Mining Communities

Country race meetings play an important role in consolidating social

links in remote Queensland towns such as Julia Creek.

BHP Billiton Cannington recognises this and, to ensure the Julia

Creek Turf Club continues to operate, the mining company has agreed

to an annual sponsorship of $10,000.

Turf club president Cliff Fitchett said that as major sponsors of the

Artesian Express Race – held during the town’s Dirt and Dust Festival

in April - and as supporters of other race meetings throughout the

year, Cannington had played a major role in the club’s continuation

and its ability to stage events.

Th e Dirt and Dust event draws people from all over Australia and

some of Queensland’s top horses for the racing.

“It’s also an extremely important community and shire event,” Mr

Fitchett said.

“People who don’t see each other very often meet up, have a yarn

and, if they’re lucky, pick a winner.”

Mr Fitchett said while horse racing always had strong community

support, sourcing prize money was becoming increasingly diffi cult.

“So Cannington’s large annual donation goes a long way to justifying

our existence in Queensland’s racing industry,” he said.

Action on the track at Julia Creek in north-west Queensland.

Still in the racethanks to mine

Cannington gets behind visitor

centre with $1m cash supportStage two of the McKinlay Shire Council’s At Th e Creek interpretive centre is nearing completion, thanks to a $500,000 donation from BHP Billiton Cannington.

Th e mining company also donated the same amount towards stage one of the project.

A live Julia Creek dunnart population is expected to be a major drawcard in the second stage. Th e display will give visitors the opportunity to see these endangered creatures – rarely seen in the wild - up close and personal.

Other features include hi-tech interactive showcases and displays focusing on the themes of water, country and people.

Cannington asset president Bob Fulker said supporting the centre and the Julia Creek dunnart program refl ected the organisation’s interest in all aspects of the local community from the smallest to the largest.

“Julia Creek dunnarts are just one part of the environment we share, and one way to ensure their future and other equally important environmental aspects is to provide attractive facilities where visitors and the community can learn more about these endangered creatures,” he said.

McKinlay Shire Council chief executive offi cer Shane Cagney

said that in addition to the

environmental and educational

aspects, the centre had been

designed as a tourist attraction.

“In the past, we haven’t had

a marketable tourism product

but with ‘Th e Creek’, we’ve got

something unique and very

specifi c to Julia Creek and our

shire,” he said.

Mr Cagney was confi dent that

completion of stage two of At

Th e Creek over the next couple

of months would have a positive

impact on the town’s economy.

“If we can expand our tourism

Rail display resurrected

Above - Stage one of the Julia Creek interpretive centre development.

Below right - The endangered Julia Creek dunnart.

profi le, people will stay longer

and our community will benefi t

in numerous ways,” he said.

After 10 years in storage, Cloncurry’s historic rail ambulance is back on display at Mary Kathleen Memorial Park thanks to a project run by the Cloncurry Historical Society with support from Ernest Henry Mining (EHM).

In late 2010 EHM gave $30,000 to the historical society for the construction of a new display facility to house the rail ambulance and other local railway memorabilia.

Cloncurry Historical Society secretary and Mary Kathleen Memorial Park Manager Gail Wipaki is extremely happy to see the rail ambulance back on display.

“Th e rail ambulance serviced the Cloncurry area during medical emergencies between 1954 and 1971 when roads were impassable during wet weather,” she said.

“It was on display at Mary Kathleen Memorial Park from the mid-1980s until 2002, when it was moved to the Cloncurry Airport for storage since the shed it had been housed in was badly damaged by termites.”

Xstrata announces fund plansXstrata has committed an additional $4.67 million through the Xstrata Community Program North Queensland (XCPNQ) towards improving vital services and facilities in the Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Townsville and Bowen communities.

Th e 2012 partnerships include Cloncurry Shire Council and Ronald McDonald House Townsville, as previously announced, as well as the Wesley Research Institute ($900,000), Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group ($235,000), North Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service ($300,000) and the Mount Isa Concert Band and Orchestra ($100,000).

Th e additional funding will bring the value of XCPNQ projects to $25 million over seven years.

Xstrata Copper North Queensland chief operating offi cer Steve de Kruijff said the program’s signifi cant

achievements to date demon-strated Xstrata’s passion and commitment to its local communities.

Mr de Kruijff said the program’s strength lay in the fact that it directly addressed the areas of most concern to local people.

He identifi ed these concerns as social disadvantage, improved

medical care, and quality education. “A number of our new partnerships have a particular focus on improving the quality of medical care provided to people who need it the most, which refl ects feedback we have received in consultation with our North Queensland communities,” Mr de Kruijff said.

The Mount Isa Concert Band and Orchestra performing.

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BHP Billiton Cannington’s latest intake of mines rescue rookies have taken the challenges of being on the Emergency Response Team (ERT) in their stride.

By the time they’ve completed their 18-month course – in addition to their normal jobs - the 12 new trainees will be skilled in all aspects of emergency response and rescue.

Lee Lewis, a behavourial facilitator at the mine, is one of the 12 who put his hand up for the ERT challenge.

“I’ve been interested in doing this for a long time,” he said.

“It gives me the opportunity to expand my skills base plus it’s personally satisfying.

“I like the fact ERT training is well outside my normal scope of work. I enjoy the team-based learning with a bunch of good people and we all have the

satisfaction of knowing there’s the chance to help others on site if the need arises.”

Mr Lewis said the ERT role was also good motivation to increase and maintain a high level of fi tness.

He is looking forward to taking part in an upcoming internal competition training block, when he and fellow rookies will pit their skills against other ERT members.

Th ey will also act as casualties during the exercise.

Cannington supervisor emergency services Steve Hambrecht said it would be the fi rst such contest held on site.

Th e Cannington ERT was overall winner in last year’s North Australian Emergency Response competition in Darwin.

“We’re keen to hold on to the title so, in addition to carrying out training as part of our on-

As a fresh batch of employees tackles training,

Jan Green explores the responsibilities and

rewards that come with mines rescue roles.

Th e Queensland Mines Rescue

Service (QMRS) hopes to

establish a new training centre at

Dysart, with an expected cost of

$40 million.

Chief executive offi cer Wayne

Hartley said the expansion would

allow QMRS to increase training

capacity, harness new technology,

and provide greater scope in

experiential training.

“It’s in the very early concept

stages,” he said. “We have a couple

of consultants on board and are

developing a business case to take

to the industry to propose to build

a new training centre.”

site safety, we are also gearing

up for the next competition to

be held at the end of August

this year,” Mr Hambrecht said.

Cannington asset president

Bob Fulker said the ERT

volunteers deserved all credit

for their dedication above and

beyond any call of duty.

“Th ese men and women

Rookies step up to the challenge

ERT rookies prepare to enter the fi re training ground.

QMRS proposesupgrade

Safety and survival equipment specialists

RFD Australia and Fire Rescue Safety

Australia (FRSA) have been awarded

two signifi cant contracts at Rio Tinto

Coal Australia’s Kestrel mine and Kestrel

extension project near Emerald.

They will supply all mine breathing

air requirements including breathing

apparatus (BA), storage/response cabinets,

quick fi ll stations, a breathing air fi lling

system and support test equipment for

the adjacent operations.

Compressed air breathing apparatus

(CABA) storage and response stations and

quick fi ll stations will be manufactured by

RFD in Sydney.

The CABA storage stations can hold

six to 40 breathing apparatus units, with

the option of inclusion of air for top-up

or response purposes, according to the

manufacturer.

The RFD quick fi ll station has the

capacity to recharge up to 70 BA sets, with

each BA charge delivering about one hour

of breathing time to the user.

“This is a complete package that FRSA/

RFD is supplying to Rio Tinto’s two mines,”

RFD general manager Martin Dowling said.

In addition to the CABA and quick fi ll

stations, the companies would provide

training on equipment usage and

maintenance as part of the Rio Tinto Coal

Australia supply contract, Mr Dowling said.

Breathe easy

Quick fi ll stations are strategically deployed throughout

mines to enable breathing apparatus refi lls.

spend countless hours ensuring

that they’re appropriately skilled

to deal with any emergency on

site and their eff orts are to be

commended,” Mr Fulker said.

Lee LewisBHP Billiton Cannington

behavourial facilitator

31The Mining Advocate | May 2012 TRAINING

WHEN TRAINING MATTERSWhen safety matters When communication matters When productivity matters

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Ph: 07 4939 1445 Email: [email protected]

Mining contractor’s class actIndustry links add some insider’s insight to

the approach of a new central Queensland

training business, writes Belinda Humphries.

A mining contractor’s disappoint -

ment in the standard of training

some new employees had received

sparked the birth of Coal Train.

Th e Yeppoon-based operation

opened its doors in January

and is training an average of 30

people a week from a range of

resource industry companies and

other sectors, according to chief

executive offi cer Karla McPhail.

Mrs McPhail said she started

Coal Train after reassessing

the training options available

for the workforce at Undamine

Industries – where she is

managing director – and deciding

she could do the job herself.

“We’d had a couple of very

minor incidents with some

of the workforce and when I

interviewed them and did a root

cause analysis of how it had come

about, I was disappointed in

some of the information that had

been conveyed to them through

training,” she said.

Mrs McPhail has a 20-year

background in education in

central Queensland, including

as a teacher and school guidance

offi cer, in addition to her seven

years managing Undamine.

She has no doubt the

reputation and contacts built over

that time gave Coal Train a good

start, in addition to the high

demand for such training services

in the Gladstone and Bowen

Basin region.

Coal Train has fi ve trainers,

with two more about to come

online, and operates from a

building fi tted out for the

purpose at a cost of about

$250,000.

Th e registered training

organisation has major focus

on supervisor training for the

resources and building industry

(S1, S2 and S3 units) in

addition to off ering Recognised

Standard 11 (induction) courses,

G2 accident and incident

New entry-level training for oil and gas processing jobs is among the raft of off erings at Charles Darwin University as it gears up to meet burgeoning industry demand for skilled workers.

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor, Vocational Education and Training, John Hassed, said the university had already experienced a spike in training demand linked to the $US34 billion Ichthys LNG project, which will include gas processing facilities to be located at Darwin.

“We are seeing evidence of local industry responding to the demands of that project in the construction phase – with an increase of about 10 per cent this year in class intakes for apprenticeships in areas such as electro-technology, construction, metals and engineering trades,” he said.

CDU off ers a range of training options for the oil, gas and mining sectors from trade apprenticeships and upskilling programs for existing workers to an associate degree and full degrees in engineering.

Th e new $6 million North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas is expected to be completed at CDU later this year and the university invested $800,000 in equipment for its electro-technology and process operations laboratory in 2011.

Th e Territory’s largest VET provider is now adding a Certifi cate II in Process Operations to its off erings at the Casuarina campus in Darwin, with the fi rst intake of students expected in the second half of this year.

Mr Hassed said ConocoPhillips had previously turned to Western Australia for this training for new technicians at its Darwin LNG plant.

With Ichthys and a number of Queensland LNG projects coming online, the university expects growing demand for this and higher level qualifi cations.

Th e new course is being off ered thanks to a partnership agreement with the Challenger Institute of Technology in Perth.

investigation training, and TAE trainer assessor courses.

Mrs McPhail said a strong focus on training with middle managers resulted in fewer accidents, a stronger commitment and more workplace success.

She said the skills crunch was seeing less experienced people appointed to various roles in resources industry workplaces, increasing the importance of training at this level.

Mrs McPhail also believed the Queensland industry would see the re-emergence of the position of under-manager in mine organisational structures within the next year.

“I think they are more carefully aligning the mining structures nationally and it will mean another person to focus on statutory and legislative obligations on the mine site,” she said.

CDU caters for gas growth

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Vocational Education and Training, John Hassed at

Charles Darwin University’s instrumentation laboratory. Photo: Fiona Morrison

Coal Train trainer

Craig Holmes with

Undamine Industries

director Shane

Jackson.

32 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateWET SEASON

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Levee boosts Baralaba defencesAn upgrade under way when fl ooding struck

in 2010 has been completed, providing this

site with better protection, writes Jan Green.

Cockatoo Coal is confi dent its

Baralaba mine is better prepared

for severe rainfall after the

completion of a new levee bank

capable of withstanding a one-

in-1000-year fl ood

Th e Baralaba operation was

one of many mines to feel the

impact of severe weather in

late 2010 and little coal was

produced from it in 2011.

However, the company said

the mine’s levee construction was

not undertaken as a result of the

fl ooding.

“Th is was a requirement

of the mining lease for the

planned expansion of Baralaba

operations,” general manager of

operations Tony Green said.

Th e new levee is about

6m higher than the original

structure.

“Construction of a new levee

bank designed for a 1:1000 year fl ood event had already started when the 2010 fl oods occurred, delaying the completion for

approximately four months,” Mr Green said.

Industrea Mining Services was the main contractor, with about

20 people working on the project

at the time of the fl oods.

“Construction did not

recommence until the water

had subsided,” Mr Green said.

“Material left over from the

mining process was removed

and this, combined with clay

obtained from inside the

mining lease, was used in the

construction, consolidation and

compaction of the levee.”

Coal production at the

Baralaba mine recommenced in

May 2011 and has now returned

to normal planned capacity of

about 50,000 tonnes per month.

The Baralaba

coal mine’s

upgraded levee.

Mining communities in the

Bowen Basin have experienced

fl ash fl ooding, swollen creeks and

rivers, water supply disruptions

and road closures during the

recent wet season.

Long-time Isaac Regional

Council Mayor Cedric Marshall

said the Bruce Highway on

the coast and the Peak Downs

Highway in the west had been

considerably aff ected.

“Mine staff and residents were

stranded on roads until council

staff was able to clear logs and

debris carried by fl ood waters

and a number of mines in the

Isaac region were temporarily

cut off from towns and supplies

when creeks fl ooded following a

week of heavy overnight rain (in

March),” Cr Marshall said.

“Some roads weren’t traffi cable

for only a day or two. However,

fl ooding in the Belyando River

closed the road between Alpha

and Clermont and Alpha and Emerald for almost a week.”

Cr Marshall said Phillips Creek rose 6-8m - isolating Dysart, Saraji and Norwich Park mines, while the fl ooded May Downs Creek and the Isaac River on the Fitzroy Development Rd isolated the Middlemount area containing German Creek, Foxleigh, Middlemount and Lake Lindsay mines.

Bee Creek on the Peak Downs Highway cut the road between Nebo and Moranbah and Dysart. Bee Creek also cut the Suttor Development Rd isolating Newlands, Glenden and Hail Creek mines.

“Residential staff from Clermont and Blair Athol mines were unable to cross Sandy Creek to access the sites for one shift,” Cr Marshall said.

“Goonyella Riverside and Broadmeadows were also temporarily isolated, while the Moranbah airport cancelled fl ights due to bad weather.”Phillips Creek on Saraji Rd near Dysart in late March.

Rain cuts coalfi elds traffi cA contaminated water spill from the Lady Annie mine, 120km north-west of Mount Isa, in 2009 has attracted a record fi ne of $500,000.

Department of Environment and Resource Management Assistant Director-General Dean Ellwood said the fi ne was the largest ever handed down under the Environmental Protection Act and was in addition to the estimated $11 million the former operator had been made to spend to clean up and rehabilitate the site. Th e Mount Isa Magistrates Court also ordered the former owners to pay investigation costs totalling $83,109.55, he said.

Th e off ence of causing serious environmental harm related to an uncontrolled release of contaminated water from stormwater ponds to surrounding creeks, which happened shortly after receivers had been appointed for the then owners CopperCo.

Th e fi ne over the Lady Annie discharge concludes court action against mines in the North West for serious breaches of the Environmental Protection Act during the 2008/09 wet season.

Other mines prosecuted included MMG Century, which was fi ned $130,000, and Ernest Henry Mining, which was fi ned $100,000.

Mr Ellwood said the Lady Annie court ruling was a reminder that companies must operate within the boundaries of the law to protect the environment or face stiff penalties

Stormwater spill attractsrecord $500,000 penalty

33The Mining Advocate | May 2012 MATERIALS HANDLING

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Program homes in on idler faults

Targeting faulty idlers has proved the key to improving conveyor performance at coal sites pioneering the use of a management program developed in Mackay.

Cove Engineering’s idler management program uses a combination of computer software, thermal imaging and testing to reduce idler failure.

Mechanical engineer Andrew Susani said the team had developed the program after being asked to help tackle longwall production issues caused by conveyer stoppages at one central Queensland site.

Th ey had identifi ed faulty idlers as being the prime factor behind stoppages, as well as causing belt damage and posing a fi re risk in places due to

overheating, Mr Susani said.Th e Cove program detects

faults with the aid of Flir infrared cameras and analyses the information collected in inspections to determine why idlers may be failing in a particular part of the system.

“It is sometimes random, but there is often a pattern,” Mr Susani said.

“Th e thing we fi nd interesting is that some sites will have idlers running for 10 years and some only get two (years).”

Mr Susani said the idlers’ life span was often aff ected by how they were handled and stored prior to use.

“Some we have measured at 60 degrees when they have been left sitting outside in the sun, and the grease inside the

Cove Engineering reports good results from

a recently developed system in use in central

Queensland, writes Belinda Humphries.

bearings is usually only rated for

80 degrees,” he said.

“Over that level it starts to

break down. Idlers are not really

meant to be stored like that. Th ey

should be stored under cover and

under plastic.”

Dust or water contamination,

bumps and drops can also aff ect

the idlers.

Poor alignment upon

installation and uneven loads were

also key factors in the premature

failure of idlers, Mr Susani said.

Cove Engineering’s idler

management program was

developed in December 2010 and

has been in use at three Bowen

Basin sites owned by two major

coal groups.

Mr Susani said the results had

been good and the company was

ready to promote the system,

including at the Queensland

Mining and Engineering (QME)

Exhibition at the Mackay

Showground in July.

QR National is continuing its coal loss management

initiative, with veneering spray stations to be installed

at a further 11 sites within six months.

Veneering stations were recently commissioned

at Sonoma, Collinsville and Newlands coal mines

in the fi rst step of a program to fi t all mines in QR

National’s central Queensland coal network with

such equipment by the end of 2013.

A spokeswoman said Blair Athol, Riverside, South

Walker, Baralaba, Goonyella, Gregory, Peak Downs,

Saraji and Oaky Creek mines were scheduled to be

next in line along with the Boonal and Boorgoon

load-out facilities servicing the Yarabee, Jellinbah

East and Blackwater mines.

Applied Australia holds the contract to install the

veneering stations for QR National.

An organic-based substance is sprayed on the

surface of loaded coal trains, binding particles

together to reduce dust emissions.

Monitoring units will be installed on all the central

Queensland coal systems to assess the eff ectiveness.

Anglo American independently introduced a

veneering dust suppression system in 2008 for trains

leaving the Callide operations north of Biloela.

Kinder & Co is converting customer’s used polymer conveyor rollers

into shipping pallets in what the company describes as a cradle-to-

cradle recycling initiative.

K-Polymer Rollers that have reached the end of their useful life

after years of hauling bulk materials are returned to the company’s

Melbourne headquarters and “reborn”.

The rollers are shredded, granulated and mixed with a special

formula before being extruded into recycled lengths, which are cut

to size and assembled to become composite pallets.

The company said these long-life pallets were used for

transporting new loads of rollers back to the clients’ sites, saving

thousands of tonnes of timber by reducing the use of wooden

pallets.

Kinder & Co chief executive offi cer Neil Kinder said the initiative

had been made possible through a commercial arrangement with

Australian Composite Technology of Victoria, which had developed

specialised technology to handle complex recycling processes,

including cross-linked polymer.

Rollers packed on a pallet made from recycled K-Polymer Rollers.

Rekindled rollers

Coal veneering scheme on track

Minarc on the go

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PUD passes the acid testSpecialised equipment from overseas helped

trim downtime after an IPL maintenance outage

struck a major hurdle, writes Belinda Humphries.

A machine fl own in from the

United States helped Incitec

Pivot (IPL) reduce a three-week

job to three days during its recent

Mount Isa sulphuric acid plant

shutdown.

Th e move came after the plant’s

planned maintenance outage had

to be extended to allow repairs to

the site’s fi nal absorption tower

after an inspection uncovered

deterioration of the brick lining.

Acid plant operations manager

Brian Corrie said the decision to

bring in a machine known as a

PUD had curbed the downtime

required for that task.

“By using the latest technology

we were able to reduce the time

needed to remove the tower

packing from three weeks to three

days,” Mr Corrie said.

“We hired a packing unloading

device called a PUD from the

United States and had it delivered

to Mount Isa by air and road.”

Th e 26-tonne device was

designed, built and supplied by

VIP International in Louisiana.

Production has resumed at the

Mount Isa sulphuric acid plant

after six weeks offl ine – four

weeks longer than scheduled.

“Restarting the plant has

allowed us to resume the off take

of sulphur dioxide from Xstrata’s

copper smelter,” Mr Corrie said.

“Our plant uses the sulphur

dioxide, which otherwise would

be released to the atmosphere, as

its main feedstock.”

Th e sulphuric acid produced

is used at IPL’s Phosphate Hill

fertiliser manufacturing plant.

Th e recent maintenance work

involved up to 150 contractors on

site at its peak. Mr Corrie said the

company undertook scheduled

maintenance every two years to

ensure the continued safe and

reliable operation of the plant.

The packing unloading device is prepared for work in the Mount Isa acid plant’s fi nal absorption tower.

Kemppi’s new Minarc Evo range has been created for welders on

the move in the manufacturing and mining sectors.

The light and compact welding range supercedes the Minarc

series launched in 2001.

The highly portable Minarc Evo series off ers a choice of MMA,

MIG/MAG, and DC TIG welding equipment.

All models feature power factor correction and inverter power

technologies, which Kemppi describes as off ering astonishing

energy effi ciency and maximum welding power in any 1-phase to

satisfy a wide variety of applications.

UK-based trainer Tom Lenahan can be aptly described as the man who wrote the book on shutdowns.

Th e author of Turnaround, Shutdown and Outage Management left the petrochemical industry in 1997 and now off ers shutdown consultancy, training and coaching services in some 20 countries.

Mr Lenahan said he had pieced together the information for his book after becoming a turnaround manager at ICI Chemicals and Polymers in 1986.

“I trawled the technical book catalogues for any books on how turnarounds should be performed and was surprised when I discovered that no one

had ever published a book on turnarounds,” he said. “During the period when I was a turnaround manager I analysed and organised the knowledge I gained from doing shutdowns and from talking to other managers and engineers in other companies and countries until I had assembled a ‘methodology’ for turnarounds.”

Th is evolved into notes for a university teaching module and later a textbook, with the fi rst edition published in 1999.

Mr Lenahan said that in his experience the big issues in shutdowns had shifted in the last 10 years from planning, scheduling and logistics to today’s key

concerns with costs, contractors and people - a shortage of skills.

“Th e shutdown arena has moved on from a time when turnarounds cost what they cost and took as long as they took,” he said.

“Today the business-driven expectation is for events to be completed at minimum cost and duration. Also there has been a welcome increase in the awareness that turnarounds are inherently hazardous events and need eff ectively managed safe systems of work.”

Mr Lenahan will be among the speakers at the Eventful Group’s Shutdown Conference at the Sofi tel in Brisbane, August 13-15.

Author shares know-how

35The Mining Advocate | May 2012 REGIONAL ENGINEERING TEAMS

Flying high in the wide westThis Barcaldine-based team takes pride in its

social contribution to the regional communities

it serves, writes Belinda Humphries.

A pilot’s licence is not a common requirement for an engineering career.

But the pair go hand in hand at Barcaldine-based George Bourne and Associates, where fi ve engineers are qualifi ed to fl y the fi rm’s three light aircraft as they cover projects throughout inland Queensland, from Burketown south to Birdsville and beyond.

Graeme Wills is among those who have learned to fl y.

“It’s wonderful,” he said. “Being at 9500 feet, autopilot

on, in the middle of winter with a clear, crisp sky, looking at the fantastic vista of the Diamantina fl ood plain… on rare occasions I ring up my friends from that altitude and talk to them, stuck in traffi c on Parramatta Rd in Sydney, and tell them what I’m looking at.”

Originally from New South Wales, Mr Wills is one of four

partners among a 25-strong team which includes civil, structural and geotechnical engineers.

George Bourne and Associates is responsible for a range of local government work throughout western Queensland and Mr Wills stresses the importance of local knowledge.

“Th at’s why our business model works, because we live and work in this rural and remote region and understand the lie of the land,” he said.

Mr Wills said the fi rm, operating since 1945, had diversifi ed in recent years.

“We have a town planner on our staff and a couple of building surveyors,” Mr Wills said.

“We provide these services because we are here, not because of a commercial opportunity.”

While any business must have an eye to the bottom line, Mr Wills said social obligations were

a signifi cant factor for the team at

George Bourne and Associates.

Employees and their families

added to the fabric of local comm -

unities through their work as well

as activities such as involvement in

committees and clubs.

Mr Wills acts as president

of the junior soccer club, for

example, and staff members have

helped restore the local picture

theatre, where engineers volunteer

their services on Friday and

Sunday evenings to run movies.

“Th is social investment comes

naturally when you live and work

in small communities,” Mr Wills

said. “I see that this commitment is

lacking from larger metropolitan-

based companies, particularly

mining companies, which choose the fl y in-fl y out model for staff engagement.

“It’s my opinion that metropolitan-based companies have little or no ongoing ownership of the projects they undertake once they have reached completion. On the other hand, we are part of the whole life of many of our projects, from conception to disposal.”

Professionals’ reluctance to venture outside the capital cities has seen George Bourne and Associates hire a signifi cant number of staff from overseas on 457 visas.

But those engineers who stick to the big smoke are missing out on some of the elements that make working life richer, according to Mr Wills.

“You do make a positive diff erence and you can see the diff erence you make,” he said of work in a regional community.

“Th ere’s no doubt about it that what you do improves the quality of life every day for the people who choose to live and work here and for those who travel through.”

George Bourne and Associates partner Graeme Wills.

Resources-to-reef focus Organisers of the 2012 Northern Engineering Conference in Mackay aim to appeal to industry members throughout the area’s coal-rich hinterland, choosing an event theme of “Resource to Reef ”.

Engineers Australia Mackay local group chairman Peter Foley said the theme off ered scope to discuss everything from issues in mining hubs throughout the Bowen Basin and elsewhere to key regional infrastructure such as rail and the environmental impacts of the resources industry.

“Th is year is the Engineers Australia Year of the Regional Engineering Team and we want to cover everybody doing engineering in the regions,” Mr Foley said.

He said the regional focus of the conference in July was part of a broader push by the Mackay local

group to build involvement from engineers in the

mining communities.

“Later in the year we intend to have a bus tour

out to one of the mines and try to get some of the

engineers from the mines involved,” Mr Foley said.

He said the Year of the Regional Engineering

Team concept had also spurred the Mackay group

to plan a local awards event to recognise the

achievements of central Queensland engineers and

engineering businesses.

Th e 2012 Northern Engineering Conference will

be held on July 28 and 29, following hot on the

heels of the Queensland Mining and Engineering

Exhibition (QME), also in Mackay.

Th e venue is still to be confi rmed.

Engineers

Australia Mackay

local group

chairman

Peter Foley.

Photo: Damien Carty

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Since Brett Peterson started

Mount Isa Mining Supplies a

decade ago he has gone from

sending out a couple of tax

invoices a month to running

not only a successful Mount

Isa-based operation but a sister

business in Charters Towers.

Having worked underground

for more than 10 years, Mr

Peterson recognised gaps in the

services off ered and decided that

was where his future lay.

Mr Peterson stocks and has

access to some 8900 items used

by mines in the region and is

putting the fi nishing touches to

a catalogue itemising 5700 of

these.

“You have to stop somewhere,”

he said with a laugh.

“When we fi rst started most

of the major players providing

services and equipment were on

the west coast.

“Th ere were very few over

here. So I targeted ventilation

fi rst and now cover nearly

every consumable used in

underground industry.

“We also cater to remote

sites, some of which only have

Business looks bright for BrettThis chamber of commerce chief can vouch

for the opportunities on off er in resource-rich

north-west Queensland, writes Jan Green.

satellite contact, so they want to be able to order everything in one phone call.

“Fortunately, because of the

range we have, we can cover

everything they need in that one

call.”

Th e growth in Mr Peterson’s

business is fairly much

commensurate with the

expansion of the region.

“We had 96 per cent growth

over the last 12 months and

even through the downturn we

still managed a 20.7 per cent

increase,” he said.

Mr Peterson doesn’t limit his

interests to his own enterprises.

For the last four years he has

been president of the Mount

Isa Chamber of Commerce,

which is gearing up for the 2012

Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo

in the third week of May.

“It’s a great opportunity,

in north-west Queensland presents.

Mr Hartley, who worked as a bricklayer for 21 years, had wanted to be a fi refi ghter for a long time. He was unsuccessful in getting such work on the Gold Coast, so when the opportunity to join the Mount Isa Fire Brigade arose he didn’t hesitate to seize it.

“We’ve been here for about seven months now so it’s still fairly early days but I’m learning a lot and very much look forward to whatever challenges the job throws up,” Mr Hartley said.

Th e family is enjoying becoming familiar with the local and regional attractions but what they are really looking forward to is buying a four-wheel drive and exploring the Outback.

“We want to make the most

of being out here and see places like Uluru and the Gulf,” Mr Hartley said.

“All of us love camping and in this part of the world there’s plenty of space to do that and plenty of options.”

But not all the family’s spare time is taken up with exploring their surrounds.

Mr and Mrs Hartley are keen touch footballers, Amelia takes dancing lessons and the boys are soccer enthusiasts.

“Living in north-west Queensland is a complete contrast to life on the coast – we are still getting used to doing without the beach – but our time in Mount Isa is giving us a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and discover as much as possible what this part of the country has to off er,” Mr Hartley said.

not only for the larger mining

companies but also for the junior

miners, exploration companies,

resource-related purchasing

offi cers and face-to-face contact

with end users,” Mr Peterson

said of the expo.

“In addition, it gives any

children who come through it a

glimpse of the diff erent careers

the resources industry has to

off er.”

Mr Peterson fi rmly believes

that in terms of lifestyle, as

well as business and work

opportunities, Mount Isa tops

the list.

“It’s been here for over 90

years and, with the large number

of feasibility studies being

undertaken – some of these

go through to 2050 – and the

wealth of minerals yet to be

discovered and mined in the

North West Minerals Province,

the city has a very long, strong

future ahead of it,” he said.

Moving from the Gold Coast

to Mount Isa has involved some

radical lifestyle adjustments for

former Australian touch football

representative Mark Hartley, his

wife Zara and children Cambel, 7,

Mason, 5, and Amelia, 3.

However, they are determined

to make the most of the

contrasting opportunities living

Lifestyle shift from beach to bush

Mark and Zara Hartley with their children Cambel, Mason and Amelia at

Mount Isa. Photo: Roslyn Budd

Brett Peterson at Mount Isa Mining

Supplies. Photo: Roslyn Budd

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Th e Liebherr R9800 has set new standards in productivity, effi ciency and reliability while delivering a lower operating cost compared to other mining excavators, according to Liebherr general manager marketing and sales – mining, David Pichanick.

Mr Pichanick said Liebherr continued to set the benchmark in mining with its latest range of hydraulic excavators featuring better performance and faster swing speeds.

Th e Liebherr R9800 can be fi tted with buckets ranging from 42cubic m to 47cubic m and is designed to match trucks with payloads of 220 tonnes and above.

Like most of the Liebherr mining range, the R9800 can be confi gured as a backhoe or shovel.

Th e R9800 comes with a choice of two 16-cylinder, 60-litre Cummins diesel engines, which develop a combined 2984kW of power, or two 12-cylinder, 57.2-litre MTU diesel engines, which develop a combined 2850kW of power.

“Th e ergonomically designed cabin provides operators with fi rst-class comfort, making it the ideal work environment,” Mr Pichanick said.

“Using panoramic windows and optimising the cabin position, Liebherr has ensured an uninterrupted view of the work area.

“Blind spots are eliminated through the use of two externally mounted cameras and displayed via a new 10.5 inch LCD screen.

Liebherr has the scoop on cost“Th e insulated and aircondit-

ioned cabin provides a quiet

environment for optimum

production.

“All service points can be

accessed ergonomically from

one side of the machine, hinged

louvres make cleaning and

servicing the machine easy and

large catwalks enable ergonomic

component access for safe and

fast servicing.”

Th e independent coolers for

hydraulic oil and engine coolant

combined with independent

hydrostatic fans allow for

optimum temperature control.

“Capable of operating for up

to 1000-SMU between services,

the R9800 is born to perform,”

Mr Pichanick said.

The Liebherr R9800 hydraulic excavator at work.

Atlas Copco’s new rig series provides major benefi ts in

long-hole production drilling, according to the company.

Four diff erent versions of Atlas Copco’s Simba rig

concept give miners a wide choice of solutions for

diff erent mining environments.

“Th e new rigs not only off er top-notch precision,

versatility and fl exibility, they provide mines with a much

greater opportunity to adapt each unit to suit individual

conditions and requirements,” the company said.

“Because of their four stingers and the sturdiness and

precision of their BUT 45 booms, the rigs also off er

maximum safety during set-up and positioning.”

All four rigs are designed for long-hole drilling (up to

51.2 m, theoretical depth) in medium to large drifts.

Simba ME7 C drills parallel holes spaced up to 6.9m

apart with a hole diameter of 51–89mm.

Simba E7 C drills parallel holes spaced up to 6.1m

apart with a hole diameter of 89–127mm.

Simba E7 C-ITH drills parallel holes up to 5.2m apart

with a hole diameter of 92–178mm.

Simba W7 C is fi tted with the “Wassara” water-powered

hammer for special applications.

Automatic rod handling is a standard feature on these

rigs. Th ey are based on Atlas Copco’s control system

which off ers a unique platform for automation, built-in

self-diagnostics and data logging.

Th e rigs are also equipped with the latest low-emission

diesel engines for reduced environmental impact.

Versatility in Simba rig series

The Simba E7 C is one of

four production drilling

rigs recently launched

by Atlas Copco.

39The Mining Advocate | May 2012 HEAVY MACHINERY REVIEW

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

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OUR PHYSICAL OFFER• Kevlar reinforced, chemical resistant

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• Floor demarcation and linemarking to

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• Applied to any size project

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diamond grinding

Liebherr describes its ultra-class mining trucks as leading the world when it comes to payload capacity.

Th e diesel electric Liebherr mining trucks can transport up to 363 metric tonnes (400 short tons) with an average top speed of 64km/h.

Liebherr general manager marketing and sales – mining, David Pichanick, said the company’s T 282 C mining truck combined a high horsepower diesel engine with an effi cient Liebherr AC drive system to maximise productivity and minimise fuel consumption.

“It is engineered to be strong, durable and lightweight, optimising the payload to off er the lowest cost per tonne, with reduced cycle times and the highest payload to empty vehicle

Sandvik Mining says its two recently-released underground mining trucks, available with low-emission engines, are the cleanest such vehicles on the market.

Th e 50-tonne capacity TH550 and 40-tonne capacity TH540 are off ered with engines complying with EPA Tier 4i/Euro Stage IIIB emissions standards.

In addition, Sandvik says they have the smallest envelope size in their payload class and are designed to operate fully loaded on long spiral gradients of up to 20 per cent at high speeds.

Th e Tier 4i/IIIB Volvo engine available as an option on both trucks consumes less fuel, produces fewer emission and has better torque characteristics than the engines on their predecessor trucks, the Sandvik T50 and T40.

Sandvik Mining product line manager for underground hard rock mining Scott Rowe said the TH540 and TH550 were the only trucks currently available with this engine option.

“Th ese trucks can provide a healthier environment for all personnel working underground,” he said.

“For example, if these engines were running in the centre of a large city, the exhaust fumes coming out of the engines would be cleaner than the air they were taking in.”

Mr Rowe said Sandvik Mining had paid particular attention to environment, health and safety (EHS) issues, as well as productivity and reliability, in developing its new underground truck range.

“Both trucks incorporate ROPS/FOPS-certifi ed operator compartments, easy three-point access into the cabin and to the top of the machine, improved visibility, ground level daily maintenance and safety rails along the top of the machine,” he said.

“Improved ergonomics – which mean reduced fatigue levels over long shifts – include rubber-mounted and isolated cabs, improved sound and heat insulation, more effi cient air conditioning and seats with low-frequency suspension as standard.”

Bis Industries’ dual-powered

pit haulers and road trains are

designed to haul loads out of the

pit or from the top of the pit

over any distance without the

need for rehandling.

While both operate on mine

haul roads, pit haulers have been

designed to enter mining pits

while the road trains haul from

the top of the pit.

“We run a variety of

confi gurations to provide the

most effi cient and cost-eff ective

service for our customers,”

Bis Industries director for New

Clean regimeunderground

Sandvik boasts the world’s lowest-emission underground trucks.

South Wales and Queensland, Joe Th omas, said.

“Units can range from 140-tonne one-trailer combinations to larger four and fi ve-trailer combinations which are over 70m long and capable of carrying 350 tonnes.

“In the core of our unique design, a second engine is located either on a powered dolly between trailers or incorporated in a trailer.

“Th is safe and reliable solution can haul signifi cant payloads out of pits at higher speeds than conventional mining trucks and then for an unlimited distance to a processing stockpile or run of the mine (ROM) maintaining safe road speeds of over 60km/h.

“Over hauls of 6km, our haulage performance outstrips any similar piece of gear.”

weight (EVW) ratio in its class,”

Mr Pichanick said.

Th e T 282 C also features

“double A-frame” front

suspension, a concept which

provides longer vertical wheel

travel and less strut travel,

resulting in the reduction of

operating costs by increasing

tyre life.

Double-barreled pit power

Muscle for the mine site

A dual-powered pit hauler from Bis Industries.

The T 282 C mining truck can transport up to 363 metric tonnes.

40 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateMINING FAMILIES

For advice, contact ourAccredited Family Law Specialists:

When my wife and I separated, we

worked out a settlement pretty quickly.

No lawyer would see us both though to

draw up the paperwork. When my wife

fi nally engaged a lawyer herself, that

was the end of our agreement and we

are now heading for court. What has

gone so wrong?

A marriage is not like a commercial partnership, where parties are assumed to have equal bargaining power, and the ability to be totally objective when making fi nancial deals. Many couples fi nd themselves negotiating a property settlement before the dust has settled

Lawyer interference?

A nationwide fl y in-fl y out (FIFO) support network has established a local group for mining families in Cairns and reports mounting interest for branches in Townsville and Mackay.

FIFO Families founder and managing director Nicole Ashby believes the group is on the cusp of signifi cant growth as more people throughout the resources sector become aware of the social networking and other services it off ers.

She said publicity over her recent submissions in Perth to the parliamentary inquiry into the Australia’s FIFO workforce had sparked increased interest in the organisation.

FIFO Families, which originated in Western Australia, has helped families establish networking groups in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Queensland as well as the fl edgling Cairns group which kicked off in August last year.

“We only have about 15 families registered in the Cairns area - which is small, because I believe there are about 2000 FIFO workers there,” Mrs Ashby said.

Th e new co-ordinator for that area, Stacey Norris, is a Cairns-born primary school teacher who is keen to help newcomers to the area.

Her boyfriend Damien Watt is an electrician who works eight on-eight off rosters with Rio Tinto in Gove.

“I wanted to try and meet some other people in the same situation,” Ms Norris said of her decision to join FIFO Families.

Mrs Ashby said it was only a matter of time before a Mackay social group was up and running and that quite a few Townsville families had also registered with the organisation, highlighting the potential for a group in that FIFO hub.

Mrs Ashby’s submissions to the federal FIFO inquiry highlighted the need for a more concrete support system for FIFO families, similar to the program available to defence personnel, and argued for more fl exible resource industry rosters.

She said a FIFO or DIDO

(drive in-drive out) job was a choice that some individuals and families made and that just a few “tweaks” were needed throughout the industry to make this lifestyle more sustainable.

More FIFO Families social groups are expected

to form soon beyond the existing south-east

Queensland cluster, writes Belinda Humphries.

Regions ready to hop on board

Nicole AshbyFIFO Families managing director

“What we’re starting to see is

where the workers are home for

a week but away for longer that’s

when you start to see some issues

arise, because they are away from

families a lot more,” she said.

“With a two on-one off roster,

for example, you are away for

“We only have about 15 families registered in the

Cairns area - which is small, because I believe there

are about 2000 FIFO workers there”

two thirds of the year and having to reconnect with the family base when you get home can cause some issues at times.”

Rosters for construction projects in the resources industry

were particularly tough, with

some crews working four weeks

on and one week off .

Companies must give more

thought to the balance of rosters,

not just for the wellbeing of

families but to increase retention,

Mrs Ashby said.

People interested in joining

or starting FIFO Families social

groups in Queensland should

contact Michelle Pratt via email

at michelle@fi fofamilies.com.au

and when a gamut of emotions still runs high following the marriage breakdown. Th ese could include fear about the future, low self-esteem, regret, revenge, anger or heartache. Some may not know the true state of the family fi nances. One party may have a history of giving in to the other. In addition, wrong assumptions about legal entitlements could be made.All this can create a cocktail of injustice for one or other party. For these reasons, before a court approves any settlement, to protect all parties the court must be satisfi ed that the settlement is just and equitable between the particular parties. Parties must also have been candid with each other about all their fi nancial circumstances, and have had opportunity to obtain legal advice independently. Th e court will reject an agreement that it considers unfair – whether or not both parties want it. Lawyers have an obligation to tell clients about their legal entitlements, and whether

their agreement is likely to be rejected by

the court.

In the case above, your wife was most likely

advised that the deal you and she came

to would not pass muster with the court.

Most court cases settle well before there

is a trial though, so armed with proper

legal advice, there is no reason not to keep

working toward an agreement that the

court will approve.

If you have a question for the next edition,

send it to [email protected] and

please mention Th e Mining Advocate in

your email.

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.

41The Mining Advocate | May 2012 Qld Real Estate Feature

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Tropical island lifestyle with a city addressThis North Queensland community

is far more than a beach-fringed

holiday destination, writes Jan Green.

Magnetic Island is unique in that it’s as much a Townsville suburb, complete with all suburban amenities, as it is a tourist attraction.

While many of Australia’s other islands focus mainly on tourism, “Maggie” - as it is commonly known - is home to some 2000 permanent residents who have chosen the island for lifestyle, economic and

environmental reasons. Many commute daily to

work in Townsville 8km away, but a considerable number are employed on the island itself.

Consequently, the real estate options on Magnetic Island, both from an owner-occupier and investment perspective, are regarded as considerable.

According to Smith and Elliott principal Sally Elliott, there has never been a better time to invest in the Magnetic

Island propety market.“A combination of the

global fi nancial crisis plus the fact 50-60 waterfront apartments are begging to be sold means properties are currently extremely heavily discounted,” Ms Elliott said.

“Average prices are in the low $300,000s, which, compared to waterfront properties along the Brisbane River or on the Gold Coast, are probably

around 50 per cent cheaper.

“In terms of housing, there’s good value to be had in the high $300,000-$400,000 price range while homes now selling for between $600,000 and $650,000 would have been on the market for $800,000 to $1 million about four years ago.”

Townsville Enterprise Limited general manager economic development Ross Contarino believes that from a fl y in-fl y out worker’s perspective,

Magnetic Island would be hard to beat for those who fi nd island life appealing.

“It has all the tropical island attributes but it’s also home to a close-knit, family-oriented community complete with all the commercial and education infrastructure needed for a great lifestyle,” he said.

“In addition, Magnetic Island off ers excellent investment opportunities from both residential rental and tourism/holiday perspectives.”

FAST FACTS

Permanent resident

population of more

than 2100.

Twenty fi ve minutes

from the Townsville

city centre by ferry.

Two thirds of

Magnetic Island is

National Park.

Popular as a holiday

destination, with

accommodation of

all standards.

42 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateQld Real Estate Feature

24

With 3,010m2 LAND

ONLY 1 REMAINING AT THIS SIZE

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BLOCKS OF LAND AVAILABLE

Townsville QLD

6 Residential Townhouses To be auctioned in one line or individually

RECEIVERS’

SALE

8 Ash Street, Kirwan, Townsville

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Completed 2008

Courtyards, lockable garage

Fully air conditioned, carpet in bedrooms / study, ceramic tiles elsewhere, security screens, ceiling fans

6 x 2 bedrooms plus bedroom / study with built in wardrobes

To be auctioned at Jupiters Hotel Casino, Townsville10.00am Saturday 19th May 2012

Jodi Westcott 0417 054 784 Colleen Lee 0438 333 374Under instruction from Darryl Kirk & Guy Edwards as Receivers and Managers

Broadly speaking, a solid betSteady population growth and a good spread

of industries contribute to Townsville city’s

investment appeal, writes Jan Green.

Townsville’s diverse and broad-based economy continues to attract investors and new residents to the city, according to Townsville Enterprise Limited general manager economic development Ross Contarino.

Mr Contarino highlighted the “insurance” factor of no sector constituting more than 17 per cent of the region’s economy.

“All we ever need to do is show investors our economic pie chart and they walk out happy,” he said.

Mr Contarino attributed the city’s diverse economy and a steady population growth of around 3 per cent a year as reasons Townsville continued to fl ourish, even during the global fi nancial crisis.

“Our population is currently around 190,000 and we anticipate this will increase to around 200,000 by next year,” he said. “We anticipate overtaking Geelong within fi ve years to become the 12th largest city in Australia.”

Commenting on Townsville real estate, Mr Contarino said

while quite a lot of units hadn’t

been taken up from the building

boom of a few years ago, he

was confi dent that with the

population set to increase and

more than $28 billion of new

projects on the city’s doorstep,

Townsville represented a great

long-term investment.

In a recent Herron Todd

White report, director Jason

Searston stated: “Call them

early signs, but the Townsville

market has seen at least some

indicators of a pick-up over the

past quarter. In addition, those

indicators do not appear to be

confi ned to any single segments

or sectors but appear to apply

across the entire general market.”

Residential markets were

starting to consolidate, although

at lower value levels than 12

months ago, he said.

“Even though it is still very

much a buyer’s market driven by

opportunistic purchasers, there

is a process of consolidation

emerging as levels of demand

start to stabilise,” Mr Searston

said.

FAST FACTS

Townsville has a population

of about 190,000.

Median house price -

$360,000.

Median unit and

townhouse price -

$305,000.

Median weekly rent - $340

for three-bedroom homes,

$275 for two-bedroom

units, $290 for two-

bedroom townhouses.

Resources sector strength is driving demand and price

growth in central Queensland and the Darling Downs

according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s

(REIQ) latest median house price report.

REIQ chief executive offi cer Anton Kardash said

that investor and fi rst-home buyer activity across

Queensland continued to strengthen, with buyers

recognising that prices had plateaued in many areas.

“Queensland’s mining regions were the stand-

out performers over the December quarter with

Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba

all posting median house price growth,” he said.

“While demand for property in Queensland’s

mining centres is a positive, continual assessments

need to be conducted to lessen the impact on

residents of these areas who are not employed in

the mining sector.”

Th e December quarter REIQ report showed

mostly steady results for property prices in south-

east Queensland.

Mr Kardash said the REIQ anticipated more

positive news on the state’s property market in the

months ahead as recent interest rate cuts fl owed

through the wider economy.

State’s mining regions stand out

43The Mining Advocate | May 2012 Qld Real Estate Feature

Proserpine to Airlie Beach – 25km

Proserpine to Mackay – 125 km

Proserpine to Bowen – 75km

Bowen to Collinsville – 82km

Bowen to Townsville – 200 Km

Perfectly placed for expansionLocation, lifestyle and improved air links

make the Whitsunday region a prime spot for

further growth, writes Jan Green.

A $9 million upgrade to the Whitsunday Coast Airport has put regional promoters in a strong position to target growing markets.

Fly in-fl y out (FIFO) mining opportunities focused on the Bowen Basin constitute a signifi cant slice of that goal.

Whitsunday Coast Airport general manager – business development, Scott Waters, said the upgrade meant the airport was very well placed to manage FIFO charter activity for workers coming into the region and, equally importantly, to support those who chose to live in the Whitsundays but work elsewhere.

“Virgin Australia, which is very much targeting the resources sector and supporting industries, has introduced an early-morning departure from Brisbane arriving into the Whitsunday coast just after 8am,” he said.

“Th is allows suffi ciently early dispersion throughout the region - but Bowen and Collinsville in particular - for employees to begin work.”

Mr Waters said the airport’s dual focus on FIFO charters and regular commercial passenger services worked extremely well and benefi ted not just the resources and associated industries, but tourism and the

community as a whole.

“Additionally, in a bid to

attract new residents to live,

work, plan and invest in the

area, the Whitsunday Regional

Council recently launched

a regional audio-visual

presentation, Perfectly Placed,”

Mr Waters said.

Outgoing Whitsunday Mayor

Mike Brunker pointed to the

combination of coal industry

expansion, the planned Abbot

Point multi-cargo facility,

Galilee Basin development and

an enviable lifestyle as factors

contributing to the Bowen and

Collinsville areas continuing to

develop and prosper.

He anticipated Bowen’s current

population of around 14,000

would increase by a few extra

thousand over the next fi ve or so

years.

“We are budgeting for steady

average growth based on around

5000 people employed in

constructing the Abbot Point

facility, to be followed by a

permanent operational workforce

– which will mainly live in Bowen - possibly numbering over 1000,” he said.

“For every permanent (resources) job, add three more in retail - so these factors, combined with a superb lifestyle, will provide excellent investment and owner-occupier, real estate opportunities.

Cr Brunker said homes in Bowen were currently selling for around $350,000-$400,000 and rental properties were readily available.

“However, when the (prosperity) wave comes in the very near future, that won’t be the case,” he said.

Cr Brunker was confi dent that Collinsville was also on the verge of expansion. Th e council’s 150-block subdivision there was well under way and attracting considerable interest.

“Collinsville is a small community with a population of around 2000 but small communities are good ones from a family and lifestyle perspective,” he said.

FAST FACTS

The Whitsunday local

government area has a

population of more than

35,000.

It takes in the towns of

Bowen, Airlie Beach,

Collinsville, Shute Harbour

and Cannonvale.

The median house price for

the region is $336,250.

Median weekly rent -

$300 for a three-bedroom

house, $260 for a two-

bedroom house.

The region’s major

development projects,

current and planned, are

valued around $49 billion.

An aerial photo of Daydream Island in the Whitsunday region.

44 May 2012 | The Mining AdvocateQld Real Estate Feature

Strong demand in mining hubRenters snap up homes on off er in Mount Isa,

with the potential for further market growth on

the coattails of new projects, writes Jan Green.

RELUCTANT SALE OF “DRAGON ROCKS”$1,050,000 negotiableAddress: 16 Ocean View Crescent, Freshwater Point. Land Size: 1.22ha (3.014 Acres)

This is a unique Queensland coastal property that has it all. Words can’t describe the breath-taking ocean views from every angle of this elevated position.*located 35mins drive from Mackay airport*over 12,000m2 of ocean view property*option to purchase adjoining 8,000m2 block*600m2 of fully furnished accommodation*includes self contained caretakers cottage plus 2 residential wings (7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms)*conference room with giant screen seats 60*250m2 of sheds/museum/storage/workshop*15m wet edge swimming pool and spa*fully accessible for wheelchair use*professional commercial kitchen*fully airconditioned using 3 phase power*walk to beaches and “Dragon Rocks” (magni cent coloured rocks on the ocean front)*the Freshwater Point boating ramp is close by.

This amazing property offers many possibilities for new owners. The space and accommodation might suit the needs of up to three separate households, or provide for a range of business ventures. To inspect please contact: Greg Brady at First National Sarina on 0419 574 846 Email: [email protected] more photos, visitwww.sarinarealestate.com.au orwww.realestate.com.au

Th e hub of one of the world’s richest mineral provinces is a thriving north-western city which, according to Isa devotees, is the best place in the world to live.

Industry is primarily based around Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, a source of copper, zinc, silver and lead. However, cattle grazing and tourism are also important regional industries.

Given its solid economic base, Mount Isa real estate has always been considered a sound investment.

“Rent prices rose by $70 a week in the last quarter of 2011,” Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce president Brett Peterson said.

He further noted that the city desperately needed more housing, particularly in the $350,000 range.

“Blocks of land are available now and we are currently looking to attract large-scale developers that could build a variety of housing to suit demand,” Mr Peterson said.

Apart from being a great

family-oriented place to live,

Mount Isa off ers some of

the best real estate returns

in Queensland, according

to Realway principal Kath

Andersen.

“Some properties are returning

in excess of 8.9 per cent, which is

FAST FACTS

Mount Isa has a population

of more than 22,000.

The median house price

in the Mount Isa local

government area is

$337,500.

Median weekly rents in the

city area - $500 for three-

bedroom homes, $350 for

two-bedroom units.

very good,” she said. “Our offi ce

has over 430 rental properties

and a current zero vacancy

rate and when we do get a new

listing it’s usually taken before

we’ve even had a chance to fi ll

out the paperwork.”

Ms Andersen said unit blocks,

fl ats and duplexes not strata

titled were “fl avour of the month”

with investors across the board.

“Th ey then look at strata

titling them to on-sell each

component separately. But

anything returning around 8 per

cent is grabbed, especially while

the rental market is so strong,”

she said.

“As a rule, we always do better

than the coastal provinces and

our returns are good or excellent

- never bad.

“So I’m confi dent Mount Isa

will continue to power on.

“People are hanging on the

edge of their seats waiting for

uranium mining to get the tick

and if that happens, who knows

how good things are going to

get.

“We could well be up there

with WA prices and if that’s the

case, the sky’s the limit.”

Miles of growth for Western Downs townMiles is on the move, with 880 building approvals granted and signifi cant construction camp plans given the green light over the last 12 months.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown said the building approvals would more than double the town’s previous housing stock of around 650 dwellings and, with major announcements being made on an almost weekly basis, the momentum was set to continue.

He identifi ed the Nathan Dam project on the Dawson River as one case in point. Th e proposed development will not only supply water to the Wandoan and Western Downs coal mining areas but include a pipeline to Dalby - taking in Miles and Chinchilla along the way.

“Th is will ensure a regional water supply for the next 50 – 100 years so there’s no question the towns in this area will continue to develop,” he said. “As well, there are six power stations in the Western Downs and fi ve more have been approved in the last nine months.

“Projections are that

19 power stations will

ultimately be built, two of

which will be solar and one

wind.”

Cr Brown said the

duplication of the western

road link to Sydney,

Melbourne and the whole

eastern seaboard was under

way. Th is made Miles, the

crossroads of the Western

Downs, ideally placed in

terms of accessibility.

“We are superbly located

and while we face growth

challenges, it’s great for our

region, our state and our nation,” Cr Brown said.

“We are working hard to ensure that infrastructure and planning for Miles results in a sustainable, long-term prosperous future for the rural and resource industries and, most importantly, our people.”

Hub Real Estate principal Sandra Chaplain said the real estate market in Miles was more heated than at any time in the past, with properties being snapped up - often before they had been advertised.

“For example, the fi rst two stages of two yet-to-be-built housing estates have already sold out and when older, established houses become available they’re immediately pounced on, renovated, then rented out for around $650-$850 per week,” she said.

“Th ere are no vacancies and even the caravan parks and motels are all booked up well in advance.

“New four-bedroom, two-bathroom, double garage homes are selling for around $500,000 while older places – depending on their potential – are going on average for $300,000.”

FAST FACTS

Population about

1165.

Miles was established

on a track blazed by

the explorer Ludwig

Leichhardt in 1884.

The Miles Historical

Village is regarded

as one of Australia’s

leading regional

museums.

The town has a

shopping centre and

hospital as well as

sporting amenities

including an

Olympic-size pool.

W E B S I T E

w w w . r e a l w a y . c o m . a u / m o u n t i s a

MOUNT ISA Phone: 07 4749 3733

Fax: 07 4749 3744


Sales specialists both commercial

and residential for Mount Isa,

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and all neighbouring regions.

Mount Isa Property Management Specialists

INDUSTRIAL LAND THE PLACE TO BE IN THE SURAT BASIN IS….

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Documents

May 2012