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Supporting mining and industry in Queensland and the NTSupporting mining and industry in Queensland and the NT
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1The Mining Advocate | July 2014 NEWS
All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced in part or in full by any means without written permission of the managing editor. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.
CONTACTS
p. (07) 4755 0336 f. (07) 4755 0338
Email: ...............................................................info@miningadvocate.com.au
Address: ........................................13 Carlton Street, Kirwan, Q, 4817
Postal: ...................................................... PO Box 945, Townsville, Q, 4810
Client Services: .................... Marion Lago m. 0414 225 621
July 2014
Managing editor: .........................Robert Dark m. 0417 623 156
Journalists: ............................Bruce Macdonald m. 0418 154 016
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Advertising booking deadlineSeptember 2014 edition: August 20
COVER IMAGE: Peter Cream and Melissa Need at QN’s Yabulu refi nery
Photographer: Allison Bessell
3 QCoal’s 2020 vision Th is Brisbane-based producer aims to be churning out 20 million tonnes of coal per annum from its Bowen Basin
sites by the end of the decade. Th e company outlines its strategy for a northern hub, including site works within
weeks at its new Drake mine, as well as the major Byerwen coal project.
5 Name game Who can call themselves an engineer? A Townsville-based
Engineers Australia head argues there is a need for a national
registration system to ensure safety standards and community
confi dence in the profession.
8 Bright sparks A look at some of the innovations mining contractors and
services are bringing to Queensland’s mining industry, as well as
details of a tax incentive program to support R&D.
11 Annie’s obsession A woman who wandered Australia’s goldfi elds, dressed in sacks
and carting cats, in search of a lost love is among the everyday
people featured in a historical series on North Queensland
mining towns.
21 Magnifi cent MackayMackay Regional Council is investing heavily in revitalising the inner city as its puts its weight behind a
major new push to see the local economy diversify and grow.
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8 Innovation
11 Our Mining Heritage
12 Promoting Indigenous Employment
13 Building Mining Communities
14 Between Shifts
16 Regional Capacity NQ
19 Logistics and Materials Handling
20 Industry Update
21 Communities Supporting Mining
29 Queensland Nickel Feature
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3The Mining Advocate | July 2014 NEWS
QCoal launches northern hub Project pipeline to deliver security for
Collinsville and Glenden mining districts
QCoal Group is rolling out a new strategy for its raft of Collinsville district projects as it prepares to start site work in August on the new Drake coal mine.
Th e independent Brisbane-based producer has rethought its project pipeline and will focus on creating a northern hub of sites centred on its existing Sonoma mine facilities.
QCoal Group general manager of mining operations Danny McCarthy said the company now planned to bring the Drake deposit online quickly, with minimal initial infrastructure requirements as it will utilise Sonoma’s processing and load-out capacity for the fi rst few years of operation.
“We’re targeting August 1 for site early works – clearing, top soil removal, setup of minimal site infrastructure and roads, some drainage and water management structures,” he said.
Th e work will kick off upon approval of the company’s plan of operations for the fi rst year of mining at Drake, 17km south of Collinsville.
Drake is expected to produce up to 6 million tonnes of coal per annum across a 30-year mining life.
QCoal is still determining whether the Drake operation will involve contract or owner-operator mining.
QCoal presently employs about 390 people directly and indirectly across its Sonoma and Cows operations, 6km south of Collinsville, with Leighton Contractors and SAB Mining
Danny McCarthyQCoal Group general manager of
mining operations
Services engaged as the mining
contractors and Sedgman
undertaking coal processing and
train loading work.
Th e company is also forging
ahead with its Byerwen coal
project – a 10mtpa operation
of predominately hard coking
coal that QCoal is developing
with JFE Steel 20km west of
Glenden.
Queensland’s Co-ordinator
General recently announced the
fi rst of several approvals required
to progress the project - expected
to employ a construction
workforce of up to 350 people
and up to 500 people during
operations, with an expected
mine life of 50 years.
Mr McCarthy said QCoal’s
aim of reaching an overall coal
production rate of 20mtpa by
2020 was well within its sights
– and that vision was proving
energising for the organisation.
“It also underpins the
communities of Collinsville and
Glenden,” he said.
“When QCoal gets the
northern hub and the Byerwen
project up and running you’re
talking 20mtpa out of that
Collinsville and Glenden area
- which will really breathe life
back into those communities.”
Mr McCarthy also said that
changes in anticipated approval
timings, along with coal market
conditions, meant it made sense
for the company to look at its
sites in the Collinsville region as
a single northern hub rather than
a trio of stand-alone operations.
“By looking at the region as a
whole we have been able to make
sure that our operations are as
sustainable as possible,” he said.
Mr McCarthy said QCoal’s
projects were attracting strong
interest and support in the
Collinsville and Glenden
communities, where established
coal operations had been
reducing their workforces.
Isaac Regional Council
Mayor Anne Baker said she
commended the Byerwen
proponents for looking to local
communities for their workforce.
She welcomed the investment
in the region and knew that local
workers and their families would
certainly welcome the jobs the
project generated, she said.
“A joint venture between
QCoal and JFE Steel, Byerwen
mine is planned to have a life of
50 years, delivering a signifi cant
long-term boost to our local
economy, businesses and
communities,” Cr Baker said.
Millions invested in QN refi nery infrastructureWork has begun on a $10 million project at Queensland Nickel’s refi nery 25km north of Townsville to fl ood-proof its Cell Th ree tailings dam against a one-in-100-year storm event.
Two teams of more than 50 QN short-term employees are working two shifts a day to lift the retaining walls by 5m, with a target of completing the project by November 1, well ahead of the next wet season in North Queensland.
Th e infrastructure work comes against a backdrop of bumper production fi gures for the refi nery during 2013/14.
Refi nery director of operations Peter Cream said a record 25,380 tonnes of nickel compacts were produced through the refi nery`s Line 1 production facility during the year.
Total production of all nickel
products reached 33,287 tonnes in the fi nancial year, a few hundred tonnes shy of the total nickel site record, he said.
Th e refi nery, owned by Federal MP Clive Palmer, is also investing millions in converting its bank of 12 10-storey roasters to coal seam gas (CSG) from fuel oil.
A pilot project converting one roaster to gas has been completed for about $11 million.
Th e refi nery’s three tailings dams have been subject to often misleading publicity in recent years, according to QN’s director of operations at the refi nery, Ian Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson said an expert in the construction of dams, with more than 30 years’ experience, Mukesh Mehta, had been appointed as construction manager, with James Cook University civil engineering graduate and QN employee
Andrew Mee working closely
with him.
“Hopefully the work being
undertaken on Cell Th ree will
serve as a clear indication to
the Townsville community that
QN takes its environmental
responsibilities very seriously,”
Mr Ferguson said.
QN’s procurement manager,
Martin Brewster, who also
holds a civil engineering degree
and has extensive logistics
experience from his time
working for the RAAF, has
played a key role in the project.
Mr Brewster has sourced
10 Caterpillar 740 articulated
dump trucks (ADTs), three
740 articulated water trucks,
a Cat 825C compactor, four
Cat excavators, one Cat
bulldozer and one Cat grader, to
undertake the project.
Bought at a cost of
$4.5 million, the ADTs will be
assimilated into QN’s fl eet of
seven Cat 740 ADTs which
haul ore to the refi nery.
Tailings within Cell Th ree will
be used to raise the retaining
walls 5m and rock armour will
also be sourced from the site.
“We have a huge supply of
tailings, only 1000 tonnes of
nickel is extracted from over
50,000 tonnes of ore supplied to
the refi nery,” he said.
Mr Brewster said it was
planned to also raise Cell One
next year.
• More QN stories - Pages 29-32
QCoal’s $1.7 billion Byerwen coal project will present major work opportunities during the construction phase including:
• Design packages for rail loop, site earthworks, coal handling and processing plant concept, water management, mine industrial area;
• Contracts for site earthworks, rail loop, substations, CHPP engineering and construction, mine industrial area;
• Contract for supply of major mining equipment;
• Contracts for mining & CHPP operations;
• Mining contractor to supply auxiliary
mining equipment.
Th e company is engaging the Industry
Capability Network (ICN) to identify potential
local manufacturers as well as making use
of its own local supplier data base and plans
presentations to industry groups regarding
supply opportunities as the construction start-
date nears.
Byerwen procurement opportunities
Sonoma mine facilities south of Collinsville.
Work on the tailings dam construction. Photo: Allison Bessell
4 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
Restaurateur, lecturer, president, board member, doctor and engineer are just some of the titles that current congress representative for Queensland Engineers Australia Dr Steven Goh has held.
Since his graduation from a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Queensland in 1996, Dr Goh has worked on some signifi cant projects within the engineering industry.
Dr Goh said one of his proudest career achievements was the development and design of wheel products for Toowoomba Metal Technologies.
“I headed the research and development department in producing our own proprietary range of wheel products for trucks and trailers,” he said.
“A lot of the wheel products, including the brake drums and disc rotors, roughly around 50 per cent of what you see in the market over the last 15 years, I designed most of them.”
Following his early success in the engineering industry Dr Goh took a detour down a diff erent career path and opened his own
Th e many hats of Dr Goh
w
W s
Co
www.gracelaw.com.au
Ph 07 4775 4997Suite 2, 511 Flinders Street West
Townsville QLD 4810
Rescue
missionMount Morgan is the fi rst mine to be given a
new lease on life by Carbine Resources
An Australian resources company plans to use innovative metallurgical expertise and technology to turn abandoned mines into viable projects.
Th e fi rst mine on Carbine Resource’s list is Mount Morgan, a mine that comes with a history of environmental issues, but also a wealth of tailings containing gold and copper.
Th ere’s about one million ounces of gold and 60 thousand tonnes of copper remaining in the tailings, making it an appetising investment for the company.
Carbine Resources executive director Patrick Walta said Mount Morgan was a complex ore from a metallurgical perspective.
“Th e key to unlocking the remaining value of Mount Morgan lies in the reduction of cyanide usage during gold extraction,” he said.
“For gold extraction via a traditional carbon-in-pulp
fl owsheet, every unit of cyanide used is partly wasted on the leaching of unrecovered copper, so operating costs are quite high. Previous owners of Mount Morgan have viewed copper as a liability and looked at ways to reduce the liberation of copper to reduce these operating costs.”
Carbine’s metallurgical expertise has allowed the adoption of an alternative strategy, seeking to maximise the extraction of copper and gold. Th e company plans to use innovative resin-in-pulp technology to selectively recover copper prior to extraction of gold via a traditional carbon-in-pulp fl owsheet.
Th e process proposed by Carbine is anticipated to reduce cyanide consumption, with the additional benefi ts of a secondary revenue stream from copper production.
Th e restarting of operations at the Mount Morgan mine
will also allow the company to rehabilitate the area. Mr Walta said the mine had more than 100 years of mining history without environmental regulation, meaning tailings and waste rock had been dumped without environmental consideration.
“Th e historical tailings were unfortunately never placed into a contained facility. Now when water and oxygen gets into the tailings, they react to make
sulphuric acid, which in turn leaches other metals into the groundwater that end up in the Dee and Fitzroy rivers,” he said.
Mr Walta said the company’s process would allow the removal of acid-forming minerals from the remaining tailings and the transportation of the reprocessed tailings and waste to a proper hydraulically isolated tailings facility. “It’s a huge earth moving exercise which sounds simple
but the reality is that it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars for the Government to undertake. Recovery of copper and gold resources during this process represents an economically viable mechanism to complete environmental rehabilitation,” he said.
In the meantime, Carbine is keeping its eyes open for projects that hold similar opportunities to Mount Morgan.
Innovative technology will be applied to the challenges of Mount Morgan mine.
Th e Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) mascot has been killed off in a children’s story starring Hector the lump of coal.
Th e squidgy, vision-impaired mascot was laid to rest forever in a tale written by Mackay Conservation Group member Christine Carlisle for a picture book competition. Despite his hard work educating kids on everything from sun safety to energy saving, it seems poor old Hector has been placed at the centre of an argument between environmentalists and the coal industry.
In a statement to the Daily Mercury, DBCT said Hector was “a likeable mascot that represents DBCT in the community in a positive way”. Th e book that buried Hector was just the latest attack against the loveable lump as the save-the-reef versus coal mining debate continues.
Th e online world has been abuzz with opinions from both sides.
“We know the scaremongering from the well-funded activists will continue, as we know it’s really about shutting down our coal and gas industries and it’s not about protecting the reef,” Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Michael Roche said.
One Facebook user commented on Bowen’s pro Abbot Point Expansion Group page about the issue.
“If they (environmentalists) were so passionate about saving the world, then maybe they should practice what they preach! Stop driving cars, stop using electricity, stop buying produce, stop writing and printing in paper, stop using mobile phones and internet and the list goes on.....”
Even Hollywood celebrities have voiced their opinions on the issue.Actor Leonardo DiCaprio spoke at the Our Ocean conference in
Washington last month and used Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as an example of “environmental devastation”.
Lecturer/Professor Steven Goh with students attending the Engineering and
Surveying Residential School at the USQ Toowoomba Campus.
Photo: David Martinelli
café –restaurant, Kingfi sher in Toowoomba.
“I think I had an early mid-life crisis. Maybe I watched a little too much My Kitchen Rules,” he said.
Th e business was a success, winning awards for best café restaurant of the year, best alfresco dining restaurant of the year and the southern Queensland business excellence award.
“My chef once commented on how good my recipe book was and I said it’s not a recipe book it’s a technical specifi cation,” Dr Goh said.
“Essentially we were producing a product and I made sure there was quality assurance.”
Dr Goh’s focus is now well and truly back on engineering as a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at University Southern Queensland, Mechanical College Board member of Engineers Australia, Executive Board member for the Australasian association for Engineering Education and a member of the technical society of Engineers Australia.
Within his leadership roles Dr
Goh said he aimed to highlight
some of the key issues facing
industry including what he calls
a rapidly contracting engineering
job market.
Dr Goh said that between
2011 and 2014 the number
of advertised engineering job
vacancies dropped from 13,000
to just 3000 nationwide and
that currently roughly only two-
thirds of engineering graduates
would enter the workforce.
He said that with
government announcements of
$11.6 billion of funding for road
infrastructure, Queensland could
soon experience a shortage of
skilled and experienced workers.
“Th e question we need to ask
ourselves is, is there going to be
enough engineers with the right
experience?” he said.
“Th e graduates need the
training, up-skilling, mentoring
and experience so that we have
the experienced workers who
can deliver the $11.6 billion of
projects and the projects moving
forward. Who’s going to deliver
these projects? It needs to be
asked.”
Hector buried in children’s book
5The Mining Advocate | July 2014 NEWS
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Wide “misuse” of the word engineer is one of the biggest issues facing industry members according to Engineers Australia Townsville Regional Group chairman Greg Elkins.
Queensland is currently the only state where professional engineers must be registered to practice, through the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland.
Professionals such as doctors, nurses and lawyers are all subject to registration systems that require high professional standards.
Mr Elkins said the engineering industry should be protected in the same way.
“In Australia anyone can call themselves an engineer and in most of Australia there’s no requirement that engineering be done by a qualifi ed person,” he said.
“Th ere might be a fabrication company, for example, that implements the engineering aspect but isn’t actually able to provide the technical engineering input required.”
Th ere are at least 14 diff erent pieces of legislation across the country that try to regulate engineering services in some way, many of which are part of building regulations.
Mr Elkins said that the national registration of engineers was the only way to ensure engineering standards were kept to a high level.
“Th ere needs to be quite a signifi cant shift in thinking at a political level and it would mean more paperwork but it would also ensure that the community would have a confi dence in the quality of engineering that they’re going to receive,” he said.
In 1994, the National Engineering Registration Board was established by Engineers Australia, the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia and Consult Australia to manage self-regulatory registration systems across Australia.
A spokeswoman for Engineers Australia said over
Townsville group chairman calls for a uniform
approach to the issue of registration
Engineering title protection
recent months there had been some movement on the issue, with a number of states looking
to investigate and pursue it further.
“Our registrar has been
meeting with the government
and opposition in all states
and territories to discuss
practical steps to engineering
registration,” she said.
“Some states have had or
will have industry forums
to canvass the views of the
profession on registration.
“Some states are a bit behind
other states but are positively
discussing their approach to
registration of engineers.”
Engineers
Australia
Townsville
Regional
Group
chairman
Greg Elkins.
Photo: Allison
Bessell
Budding fi lmmakers will have the chance to showcase their skills in a resources-focused short fi lm competition run by professional services fi rm PwC.
Th e company is asking businesses, community members and students to create a short three-minute fi lm response to the question “What does the resources industry mean to you?”
PwC resources industry partner Ben Lannan said the competition aimed to start a statewide dialogue on the resources sector.
“What we’re trying to do is engage with the business and broader community in a more socially relevant way,” he said.
Th e competition has three categories; student, community and business and is open for entries until July 31.
Finalists will be announced on August 11 and all entries must have a Queensland focus and feature a hi-vis vest.
Mr Lannan said judges would be interested in all genres including comedy, adventure and documentary.
“We’re looking for something that conveys a point of view, in whatever way that fl oats your boat,” he said.
For more information visit http://www.pwc.com.au/events/hi-vis-fest
Films can put resources in focus
6 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateNEWS
Job wasn’t always plain sailingBrad Fish faced numerous challenges in his
time as North Queensland Bulk Ports boss
Retired North Queensland Bulk Ports chief executive offi cer Brad Fish has navigated some stormy seas in his 56 years, both fi guratively and literally.
A keen sailor of many years standing, it may well have been a contributing factor to his long and successful career with fi rst the Queensland Government’s Harbours and Marine Department, Port Authority and most recently NQBP.
“I recall when I was interviewed for the Harbours and Marine job that a number of the interviewing panel were also keen sailors,” he said.
Mr Fish has presided over some signifi cant infrastructure projects over the years in his role as chief executive offi cer of the Port Authority, which later became the NQBP.
Th e upgrade of the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal at Hay Point in the 1990s was a major project, not just in the realm of infrastructure work but also in setting up commercial agreements.
During the 1990s he also took a lead role in the creation of the Century zinc mine loading facility
had the coal industry in its sights.
Coal output was lifted from
14mtpa to 21mtpa without
incident and then followed a
second upgrade to 25mtpa.As coal production in the
Bowen Basin grew, so did Abbot Point, with a doubling of output completed in 2010.
Th e sale of Terminal One to Indian multi-national Adani for $1.8 billion was the crowning achievement of Mr Fish’s career, but a proposal to develop three additional berths saw organisations like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund take issue with the dredging of three million cubic metres of seabed to facilitate the expansion.
Mr Fish grew increasingly frustrated with the dissemination of inaccurate scientifi c information and claims made by conservation groups associated with the anti-coal alliance.
After delays by Labor and LNP federal governments, the project fi nally got the green light earlier this year.
Mr Fish said while the Abbot Point saga was frustrating, he felt it was the right time to move on.
“First I’m going skiing for eight or nine days in New Zealand then attending my son Cameron’s wedding on the Sunshine Coast in September,” he said.
“After that (wife) Jenny and myself are going to have a holiday in China and elsewhere in Asia.”
Mr Fish said he would then look at other challenges in his working life.
“At 56 I believe I still have plenty to off er with the experience I have had over the years,” he said.
Former head of the Port of Dampier, Steve Lewis, has been appointed as the replacement for outgoing NQBP chief executive offi cer Brad Fish. He took up the new post on July 7 after a stellar career at Dampier, where revenues rose $3.5 million to $68 million during his watch.
NQBP chairman Peter Milton said Mr Lewis would continue to develop the body’s ports sustainably and further the economy of Queensland.
“Under his direction the Port of Dampier has achieved many records including throughput, profi tability and customer growth,” he said.
at Karumba. “Th at project posed
a number of challenges because
of its environmental sensitivity
and the fact that the area was so
shallow,” Mr Fish said.
His attention then turned to
the Abbot Point coal loading
facility after the completion
of the Dalrymple Bay project
and its subsequent sale to the
stock exchange-listed Prime
Infrastructure Group.
Little did he know when the
Abbot Point expansion project
began in 2005 what lay ahead.
He would fi nd himself
confronting the full force of the
conservation movement, which
Brad FishRetired chief executive offi cer
North Queensland Bulk Ports
Baosteel and Aurizon are set to take over Aquila Resources after Chris Ellison’s Mineral Resources and Aquila executive chairman Tony Poli sold their shares. Baosteel and Aurizon now have a share hold of more than 50 per cent, giving them eff ective control of Aquila.
Th e deal has also seen a board restructuring, with the appointment of three Baosteel nominees and one Aurizon nominee to the Aquila board.
Aquila urged shareholders to accept the $3.40 per share off er which could see the full acquisition of Aquila wrapped up by the end of July.
Aquila has projects in WA and Queensland including the Eagle Downs hard coking coal project south of Moranbah in the Bowen Basin.
Lewis takes reins at NQBP Aquila takeover advances
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Blurred lines on
camp conduct Mine camp accommodation is a fact of life for many Queensland workers but health and safety regulations implemented on camps can walk a fi ne line between managing work activities and invasion of privacy.
McCullough Robertson partner Cameron Dean will be discussing the issue at this year’s Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference in Townsville.
“In a broad sense, for the mining industry, FIFO arrangements have become commonplace and there are various aspects on how they impact on various people,” he said.
“What I’m looking at examining is mine camp accommodations and some of the legal issues that arise. So, diffi culties leaving camps, restrictions on drinking alcohol, curfews and, in a broader sense, lifestyle issues.”
Mr Dean said that on the whole, mine camp operators managed health and safety obligations well but that the issue required continuous monitoring.
“Mine camp accommodation is something that we’re still coming to grips with. Th ere are blurred lines between invasion of private versus ensuring you discharge your obligations by law to ensure everyone working at the mine is safe,” he said.
“It’s not a set and forget exercise, it’s about being aware of what the impacts are and ensuring that where problems arise there are the systems in place to deal with them eff ectively.”
reported moderate to severe stress
levels.
Mr Dean said the Factors
linked to the wellbeing of fl y in-
fl y out (FIFO) workers research
report highlighted some of the
challenges faced by workers and
managers.
“If you look at the study, most
people actually seem to be happy
with accommodation at the mine
camps but that’s not to say that
there aren’t issues that need to be
managed and dealt with,” he said.
“It’s a tough one. It sits around
not being so prescriptive that you
don’t impact on people’s lives to
an unreasonable extent, while
ensuring high safety standards.”
Th e Queensland Mining
Industry Health and Safety
Conference will be held at the
Townsville Entertainment and
Convention Centre from August
17-20.
Th e issue of mine camp accommodation hit the media earlier this year when Labor MP Joanne Miller compared restrictions on camps to that of concentration camps.
Ms Miller made the controversial statements in State Parliament.
“To say that mining companies are engaging in fl y in-fl y out postcode apartheid is no understatement,” Ms Miller said.
“Workers are being kept in what only can be described as mining concentration camps.”
Last year the University of Queensland released a report into the issues surrounding mine camp accommodation and found that while the majority (75 per cent) of camp workers reported good levels of mental health, 20 per cent reported moderate to severe sleep disturbance, 60 per cent said work arrangements interfered with their home and family life, 40 per cent reported feeling lonely or socially isolated, and 5 per cent
Cameron DeanMcCullough Robertson partner
Modular building company Ausco Modular has wrapped up
construction on one of the industry’s largest mobile accommodation
camps.
Th e camp will house 300 workers who are constructing the northern
end of Santos GLNG’s Comet Ridge to Wallumbilla Pipeline Loop in
the Surat Basin.
Ausco Modular director for strategy and business development Ben
Knight said the project, aff ectionately known as Duck Creek Road
Camp, was about three times larger than other similar camps.
“A typical mobile camp consists of around 50-100 rooms, but the
Duck Creek Camp will have 300 rooms at its peak occupancy and
represents the larger end of a camp of this nature,” he said.
Mr Knight said Ausco Modular fi nalised construction of the camp
within a number of weeks and 200 workers were currently at home
there.
“Once the project concludes the camp will be completely removed,
leaving the surrounding environment in its original state, ” he said.
The Ausco Mobile Duck Creek facility.
Mega mobile home
Flash fl usher It is water effi cient, relatively easy to shift and
may be coming to a bathroom near you.
The JETS Vacuum Toilet System off ers mining
camps and sites a more effi cient, productive
and cost-eff ective human waste management
solution, according to distributors Vacuum
Toilets Australia.
Recently awarded the 2013 Smart WaterMark
Commercial Product of the Year Award, the JETS
Vacuum Toilet System uses only 0.8 litres per
fl ush, with a daily water usage of 4800 litres per
1000 people compared to 27,000 litres required
by conventional gravity toilet systems.
This portable option involves no below-
ground installation requirements and units can
be added or removed at discretion with no
earthwork required.
Vacuum Toilets Australia plans to off er
interactive demonstrations of this toilet solution
at the Queensland Mining & Engineering (QME)
Exhibition in Mackay, July
22-24.
Representatives
from the Norwegian
manufacturer, JETS, will also
be available on stand L139
to assist with enquiries about
Vacuum Toilet Systems.
8 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateINNOVATION
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Innovation is a stand-out feature among the 16 contractors and
suppliers shortlisted in the fi rst Queensland Mining Contractor
Awards, organised by the Bowen Basin Mining Club.
A panel of judges has shortlisted entrants in six categories:
cost saving; time saving; project innovation; community or staff
engagement; equal opportunities and best product launch.
Entries were related to projects completed in Queensland between
June 2012 and December 2013.
Bowen Basin Mining Club director Jodie Currie said each fi nalist
had demonstrated technical excellence, innovation and initiative.
“We challenged contractors and suppliers to show how they
were boosting the effi ciency of mining operations through brilliant
engineering, smart thinking and new ways of solving problems, and
the response has been exceptional,” she said.
Th e winners will be announced at a gala dinner on July 23 during
the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition in Mackay.
A Rockhampton-based servicing,
maintenance and welding (SMW)
company is using innovative thinking to
reduce costs and improve its services.
SMW Group introduced a number of
cost-saving initiatives as part of a recent
project involving the refurbishment of a
fl eet of 797 trays.
Business support and development
manager Keith Heritage said there were
certain things about the job that the
industry assumed were non-negotiable,
and SMW Group decided to challenge
them.
“For example, 797 tray refurbishments have traditionally been done on site, but we worked out a way to get the trays to our workshop and refurbish them in-house, which was faster, safer, innovative and more effi cient,” he said.
Th e project team also developed a hydraulic lift system that eliminated the need for heavy crane lifts when loading and unloading trays, and when moving trays from the blasting and painting facility to the workshop.
“Th is allowed us to complete the jobs quicker and without the need for major capital works,” Mr Heritage said.
Mr Heritage said the project incorporated a “production-line philosophy” that eliminated lost hours in the workshop.
SMW Group has been shortlisted as a fi nalist in the innovation category of the Queensland Mining Contractor Awards for its innovative approach to business.
Mackay-based design, fabrication and project management company TEAM Engineering Services has been sent through to the fi nals of the Queensland Mining Contractor Awards for its latest cable arch design.
In open-cut mining operations electric shovels and draglines are often used for mineral extraction and overburden removal, with the power for these machines provided by heavy-duty electric cables.
Cable arches are structures used to lift electric cables and other services high enough off the ground so that vehicles can travel underneath without damaging those cables or services.
“When used with electric shovels they also allow for a second access point to the shovel, enabling double-sided loading of trucks, which increases productivity
substantially,” TEAM Engineering
Services sales manager Tom Chamber
said. “However as the shovel moves
along the working face, the arch must be
frequently relocated.
“Th e critical problem to be overcome
was that the forces involved in towing
(dragging) the arch would result in
deformation of the structure, particularly
whilst traversing uneven terrain or
cornering.
“Th e solution was the clever use of
folding stabiliser arms which prevent the
skids of the arch from trying to close
together whilst towing.”
Th e new design is stronger and lighter
and can be safely moved around the mine
site by towing, which saves time and
improves effi ciency.
Contractors light the wayGreyhound Resources Cost Saving Initiative:
Ausenco, Ausenco Rylson, SMW Group
Autocorner Time Saving Initiative:
AECOM, BMD Constructions, Poly Protective Coatings
JCB Construction Equipment Australia Project Innovation:
Plant Miner, SMW Group, TEAM Engineering, Thiess
CMC Community or Staff Engagement Initiative:
G&S Engineering, Thiess, Cater Care
The Generic Induction Safety Program Equal Opportunity Initiative:
CMC, Minniecon & Burke, Thiess
QME Best Product Launch:
Ampcontrol, Swivelpole, Linked Group Services
Th e shortlisted businesses
Big ideas pay off for SMW Cable arch with an edgeSMW moves 797 trays to its workshop and refurbishes them in-house. A dragline cable arch with folding stabiliser arms fi tted.
In 2013 plantminer.com.au went live, with
300 plant and equipment companies listing
30,000 pieces of equipment for hire. Fast
forward to the present day and the site has
2500 companies listing more than 165,000
pieces of equipment.
Plantminer.com.au is an online portal
with a database of equipment hire
companies nationwide. Th e company is
recognised as Australia’s largest plant and
equipment hire marketplace and has been
shortlisted as a fi nalist in the innovation
category of the new Queensland Mining
Contractor Awards.
General manager – national client
manager Dan Wilson said the site acted as
a time and money-saving mechanism for
project managers and other people in need
of equipment hire.
“Sometimes chasing fi ve competitive
quotes for say 40 pieces of equipment can
take days or weeks to fi nd and now it’s
become a process that can be completed in
about 10 minutes,” he said.
“We didn’t want to take all the
personality out of it because the hire
industry is one based on relationships.
So the hire company receives the quote
request and they contact the searcher
directly.
“It’s like wotif.com but instead of
searching for hotel rooms you’re searching
for equipment for hire.”
Online plant hire marketplace thrives
9The Mining Advocate | July 2014 INNOVATION
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Firms urged to tap into tax breakMore companies working in the mining industry should benefi t from a government incentive aimed at encouraging innovation, according to accountants KPMG.
Th e R&D Tax Incentive program is open to businesses of all sizes in all industries undertaking eligible research and development activities.
KPMG partner, R&D Tax incentives, Kristina Kipper said that there were still those missing out on the incentive.
“A common misconception among smaller companies is that the R&D Tax Incentive only applies to research done in laboratories by people in white coats, but this is not the case,” she said.
“Th e incentive extends to activities undertaken in a commercial setting for the purpose of developing new products, processes and technologies.”
Examples of R&D activities in the mining sector include the development of new techniques to locate and recover mineral deposits, to improve the safety or minimise the environmental impact of mining operations, or to develop new refi ning techniques and processes.
“In our experience, signifi cant innovation can also be found in the mining services sector,” Ms Kipper said.
“Th e development of new specialised equipment and technological processes, or the
A North Queensland stemming company is among those taking advantage of the R&D Tax incentive.
StemSafe develops solutions to improve the safety and effi ciency of the practice of stemming - confi ning explosives and accurately placing aggregate to lessen environmental hazards, gain blasting effi ciency and reduce coal and ore loss.
StemSafe project manager Mike Robin said R&D was a core aspect of what the company had to off er.
“Our innovations, including a dual-purpose truck to carry water and stemming material and patented dust suppression systems, have been helped by the R&D Tax Incentive,” Mr Robin said.
“Th e R&D Tax Incentive is extremely easy to access. As a growing company with minimal free cash fl ow, it allowed us to develop our products and services and build a competitive advantage.”
Moving beyond stemming safety, StemSafe is continuing to tackle more complex issues for its clients to reduce costs and increase productivity.
“Recent test results for our patented dust suppression system far exceeded our expectations,” Mr Robin said.
“All-terrain stemming is a new project we currently have under development and there are many more on the go.”
Townsville-based Safe Option Solutions (SOS) principal Loretta Reid is well known in industry circles for her knowledge in the area of safety but she has added another aspect to her curriculum vitae, innovator.
Ms Reid won a national award at the annual PACE (Process and Control Engineering) Zenith Awards in Melbourne in June.
She took out the Mining and Minerals Processing Award for an electronic equipment pre-start system which replaces hard copy log books used to record checks on components and the use of machinery. Th e award is the culmination of two-and-a-half years of research and development by Ms Reid and partners Chuck Sharp, an electrician and crane technician based in Melbourne, and Henk Rossouw, a Canberra-based software technician.
A spin-off company from SOS, Machinery Safety Systems, was formed and received $185,000 funding from Commercialisation Australia, a Federal body tasked with promoting industry innovation.
Th e funding allowed MSS to run a series of proof of concept trials with Glencore and sugar industry companies Wilmar and Queensland Sugar.
Ms Reid is confi dent that the MiOCS devices will become essential tools for industry to improve pre-start checks and better manage the use of machinery.
Loretta’s smart solution
for pre-start checks
use of current technologies in innovative ways to provide solutions for challenging operating environments, can give rise to qualifying R&D projects.”
An AusIndustry spokesman said that the R&D Tax Incentive had proven to be highly successful so far and had seen an increase in registrations from smaller companies looking to undertake research and development.
“To capitalise on opportun-ities, Australian fi rms will need to become more globally
competitive,” he said. “Th is means fi nding smarter, faster and better ways of doing business or, in other words, innovating.”
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that Australian businesses that innovate are 78 per cent more likely to report increases in productivity over the previous year; 42 per cent more likely to report an increase in profi tability; three times more likely to export and more than twice as likely to increase employment.
Loretta Reid from Safe Option Solutions receives the PACE Mining and
Minerals Processing Award from sponsor Karl Wigginton, managing director
of Emerson Process Management.
StemSafe takes research lead
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11The Mining Advocate | July 2014 OUR MINING HERITAGE
Call 1800 555 777slatergordon.com.au
You could claim through your super
Goldfi elds wandererA German-born woman turned into a “crazy cat lady” when she followed her lover from England to the Aussie outback only to fi nd that he had fallen in love with someone else.
In the 1880s, Annie “Bags” Ferdinand scrimped and saved so that she could travel to Australia in search of her lost love who had moved to the country to seek gold.
Without money or transportation, Annie walked through NSW and Queensland looking for her red-headed love.
Townsville-based author Colin Hooper tells the tale in his latest volume of North Queensland Deserted Towns, Charter Towers – Ravenswood – Cape River.
“She wandered the mining fi elds dressed in sacks and carried a bag over her shoulder which most often contained a cat or two and she always had a pack of skinny dogs with her,” Mr Hooper said. “She had clean bag dresses and nice long hair and one story tells how she wheeled a pram containing a cat with six kittens from Croydon to Georgetown.”
By the time Annie found her man, he had already married another woman. Th is led to the further deterioration of her mental state and in 1910 Annie died of “chronic mania and pthisis”. She was buried in Townsville’s West End Cemetry.
Mr Hooper said he attempted to honor the “old timers” like Annie Bags in his books.
“You can always fi nd a lot of information about people who had status but the everyday people weren’t always well documented. Th ey weren’t considered important people,” he said.
“It’s taken a long period of around 30 years to collect stories about the various towns and people and put it all together.”
Big bang gave rise to ‘Th e World’It was a fl ash of lightning on Christmas Eve 1871 that led to an Aboriginal boy named Jupiter discovering gold in Charters Towers.
Jupiter was prospecting for gold with a group of men when a thunderstorm scared off the group’s horses.
While searching for the startled animals Jupiter spotted a specimen of quartz studded with gold.
Th e fi nd was then reported to the mining warden of the time, William Ewbank Skelton Melbourne Charters, and the town found its name.
Th is event was the start of a gold rush in Queensland’s north and what followed was a peak mass migration of about 30,000 miners, investors and entrepreneurs looking to cash in on the action.
Over the years of the gold boom, Charters Towers became aff ectionately known as “Th e World” meaning that anything in the world you could want was available in the town.
Author Colin Hooper wrote in his latest book, North Queensland Deserted Towns, Charter Towers – Ravenswood – Cape River, about how the rush also brought about a change in the way that mines were run.
In 1895 the Labor leader of the time Tom Glassey lobbied for state ownership of the mines.
Th is led to locals becoming employees of the mines and the days of local ownership began to disappear.
Mr Hooper said this move by
Mr Glassey marked the end of a
generation of freedom.
“In 1896 in other fi elds, a
miner could both own and work
his own mine,” he said.
“Here was someone trying to
take this freedom away in the
name of the state rather than a
capitalist or overlord.”
Despite the changes, Charters
Towers continued to grow and
prosper until 1909 when the
town’s mines temporarily closed
down.
Th e history of the Charters
Towers area has hit the spotlight
with the 10th International
Mining History Congress
and 20th Australasian Mining
History Association Conference
being held in the city in July.
Author Colin
Hooper holding
books from his
historical series
including North
Queensland
Deserted Towns,
Charters Towers
– Ravenswood –
Cape River.
Annie ‘Bags’ Ferdinand.
Photo: courtesy of State Library of Queensland’s Picture Queensland collection
12 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocatePROMOTING INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT
Ray Ahmat, the fi rst Aboriginal superintendent at Rio Tinto Alcan’s bauxite mine in Weipa, plans to use his position to increase diversity and build opportunities in his community.
Th e Yupungathi traditional owner recently received recognition at the Queensland Resources Council’s Indigenous Awards, where he took out the Overall Indigenous Award for his contribution as a role model in the Queensland resources industry.
“One of my drivers at work that is important to me is to continue mentoring young workers and seeing the impact the employment has on their lives,” Mr Ahmat said.
“To see them changing their lifestyles for the better and improving their quality of life is one of the key opportunities my role with the business presents.”
Since he started with the
Rio’s Ray excels as role model
QGC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Training and Business Development Strategy – winner of the Indigenous Initiative Award, for companies who have put in place strategies that enhance the attraction and retention of indigenous employees within the resources sector.
Th e Myuma Group managing director Colin Saltmere - the Indigenous Champion Award, for indigenous or non-indigenous individuals who have demonstrated outstanding eff ort to encourage, promote and advocate for the attraction, selection, promotion and retention of indigenous employees within the resources sector.
Raymond Ahmat - the Indigenous Overall Award, recognising exceptional achievement by an indigenous person working in the Queensland resources sector, in any occupation or profession.
Global engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD is helping indigenous groups to diversify and establish commercial relationships across Australia through its business partnerships.
One of the indigenous businesses that partners with GHD is Northern Project Contracting (NPC), owned by the Waanyi Nation in Queensland’s Gulf Country.
NPC managing director Brad Jackson said partnerships with companies like GHD helped to create career opportunities across all levels of business for indigenous people.
GHD indigenous services consultant Peter Dunn said growing indigenous businesses helped to replace poverty with wealth creation and welfare with enterprise.
“Our experience shows that aligning the private sector with indigenous communities is economically viable and transferrable,” he said.
“Many of our clients are increasingly seeking
to better engage the indigenous people, not only as employees, but also as suppliers of goods and services. By advising and developing capacity, GHD connects indigenous-owned businesses to our clients across the asset value chain.”
GHD is also a member of Supply Nation, an industry organisation connecting public and private sector organisations with indigenous suppliers.
In 2013, GHD helped Supply Nation-certifi ed indigenous business LBF Consultants diversify by joining a joint venture with Cogent Business Solutions in Canberra.
“Both LBF chief executive offi cer Lani Blanco-Francis and the Cogent board leapt at the opportunity, with the result that indigenous-owned Murumal was born,” Mr Dunn said.
“Murumal is seeking to off er a new range of services leveraging off the Cogent capability.”
Another GHD partner is PSGH, a Sydney-based Supply Nation member off ering quality construction, cleaning, recruitment and security services.
company 15 years ago Mr Ahmat has gained experience in crew leading, scheduling, planning and business improvement
work, which led to his current role as mine development superintendent in 2012.
Mr Ahmat now leads an
operational team of more than 170 people, managing pre-mining and post-mining activities.
Mr Ahmat said winning the award was a humbling experience.
“I am very proud to be representing not only the business, but the Yupungathi Traditional Owner Group. My family and I have strong connections with the land on which the business operates, and I feel a responsibility to build upon the foundation my parents and elders created many years ago,” he said.
Over the past 15 years, Mr Ahmat has been involved with several committees under the Western Cape Communities Co-existence Agreement (WCCCA), which is one of the three Aboriginal agreements Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa operates under.
Mr Ahmat said that there
were times throughout his career
when he had to wear a number
of diff erent hats as traditional
owner, Rio Tinto Alcan
employee and Weipa community
member.
It was no easy feat, but he has
had the support of his family
throughout it all.
“My wife Sindy has been with
me every step of the way and has
always been there for me. We
have been together since I was
18 years old, and we have three
wonderful kids—two boys and a
girl (Marley 16, Leeroy 14 and
Takara 9),” he said.
“I am hoping this exposure
will make us all appreciate what
we have; living up here in the
Western Cape Region where
life is simple and opportunities
plentiful but you have to work
hard and you can achieve what
you want.”
QRC Indigenous Award
Winners 2014:
Engineering business links
Ray Ahmat with
wife Sindy and
daughter Takara
at the awards
ceremony.
The Mining Advocate | July 2014 13
Try Time! kicks off again
As a contractor for QCoal Group, SAB Mining director Scott Browne spends most of his time in the Collinsville area at the Sonoma and Cows mines.
Two years ago, Mr Browne was heading out of the local IGA when he walked past a fold-out table which had been set up for a local group who were fundraising – Bowen Flexicare.
He remembers how overwhelmed he was by the people in the photos on display as he stopped to pull some change from his pockets.
“Th e photos were of the North Queensland SportsAbility Games and the eff ort and smiles on the competitor’s faces touched me. Th ey were giving it everything they had, and more importantly, they were enjoying themselves,”he said. “Seeing those photos also made me really appreciate how fortunate we are, and that we sometimes take things for granted.”
SAB Mining has since become a principal sponsor of Bowen FlexiCare, which provides support for people with a disability, and assists them in maintaining their independence in the community.
Bowen FlexiCare co-ordinator Dee-Anne Fraser said the support off ered by SAB Mining went beyond fi nancial assistance.
“In 2013 SAB Mining sponsored the North Queensland SportsAbility Games that were held in Bowen, but beyond the fi nancial contribution that SAB Mining made, Scott and members of his team actually came to training and were involved with our clients,” she said.
“Th ey came to the games to support the team and added incentives throughout the day - even contributing more money.”
SAB’s support had allowed Bowen FlexiCare to develop their program and engage a personal trainer, Ms Fraser said.
Casual encounter sparks long-term relationship
Gladstone maritime precinct takes shapePlayers Ryan Mahoney, Gavin Cooper and Dallas Johnson with YWAM Townsville Youth Co-ordinator Fiona Saxby and
students from Ignatius Park College, Townsville. Photo: John De Rooy
Cannington
Proudly supporting mining communities
Development of the new $42 million East Shores - Gladstone Coal Exporters Maritime Precinct has passed the half-way mark.
Th e legacy project, which will provide a world-class recreational precinct for Gladstone residents and visitors to enjoy, is being delivered by Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) and Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC).
WICET - established by coal exporters to fund and develop
the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal at Gladstone - is contributing $35 million toward the waterfront project while GPC has contributed the site and a further $7 million.
Installation of key facilities including the water play park, shade structures and public amenities is well under way. Th e waterfront boardwalk and viewing platform are also taking shape.
GPC is the project developer/manager and will operate the precinct once completed.
The piping which sits under the precinct’s water play park off ers a sneak peak
of what is to come. Photo: Murray Ware
Clancy joins the overfl ow of local largesse
CQ teenagers given a taste of life as a tradie
Healthy addition to Rolleston community
QGC chips in for Toowoomba roadworks
SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON
Building Mining Communities
BHP Billiton’s innovative Try
Time! program is once again
being rolled out across North
and north-west Queensland.
Th e program, funded by BHP
Billiton Cannington, allows
former and current North
Queensland Cowboys players
plus youth workers from Youth
With A Mission (YWAM) to
visit students from years 8 and 9.
Try Time! is aimed at ensuring
young people make the right
life choices and was created in
collaboration with Education
Queensland and Catholic
Education.
Cowboys community
relationships co-ordinator Bruce
Muller said 2500 students had
already been booked to complete
specifi c modules aimed at
making the right life choices.
Modules that can be booked
include: Substances (drugs);
Substances (alcohol); Social
Media (the internet); Social
Media (communications); Active
Lifestyles (engaging in life);
Active Lifestyles (body image
and self-esteem); Healthy Eating
(food and obesity) and Creating
Goals.
Retired players Dallas Johnson
and Aaron Payne will participate
in delivering the modules along
with specifi cally trained current
Cowboys players.
Clancy Corporation has pledged $12,000 over 12 months to the Mount Isa-based RACQ NQ Rescue Helicopter Service.
RACQ NQ Rescue Helicopter Service chief executive offi cer Alex Dorr said local businesses
pulled more than their fair share of the weight to keep the rescue chopper in operation.
Th e service raises more than $1.5 million per year to keep their life-saving operation in the air, with no funding received from State Government.
Students from Monto, Moura, Biloela, Rockhampton and Mount Morgan State High schools had their interest in pursuing a trade further ignited when they participated in the recent Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Toolkit 4 School Kids workshop in Biloela.
Sponsored by Anglo American and facilitated by the QMEA, the one-day workshop allowed 20 Year 10 students to gain valuable insight into the life of a tradesperson and exposure to the types of training and activities they would complete through an apprenticeship at a mine.
Rolleston residents have access
to a new health clinic, featuring
cardio and specialist equipment,
thanks to a $45,000 contribution
from Santos GLNG.
Th e gas project has funded a
defi brillator, a dermoscope to
perform skin checks, a machine
to measure lung function, an
audiometry machine and booth to
perform hearing tests, as well as
an emergency trolley and supplies.
Santos GLNG social performance
manager John Phalen said the
Rolleston Health Clinic was
providing services for people who
previously had to travel signifi cant
distances for medical assistance.
QGC is contributing $1 million towards work to upgrade O’Mara Rd, which will link Toowoomba’s Charlton Wellcamp industrial estate with the Warrego Highway.
QGC vice-president of sustainability Brett Smith said the corridor would be important for industry and local residents.
“Th e natural gas industry is growing in Queensland and we
recognise the need to mitigate our impact on state and local roads,’’ he said. “To date QGC has committed more than $122 million to upgrading, maintaining and repairing public roads.”
14 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateBETWEEN SHIFTS
GEA Inspiring Women in Industry Vintage Vogue High Tea
Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
Joe Austin (Prime Rentals) and Lisa Baker (LJS Express Test &
Tag).
Maxine Brushe (Gladstone Regional Council) and Marlene
McKendry (BBS Communications).
Kim Roberts and Carli Hobbs (both from Gladstone Engineering
Alliance).
Tamara and Kim Purcell (Purcell’s Engineering).
Nicole Coutney and Emma Brenton (both Wide Bay Australia).
Kim Williams and Leigh West (both GAPDL).
PHOTOS: Marina Hobbs
Bowen Basin Mining Club luncheon
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
Adani manager project infrastructure Ian Sedgman with
Bowen Basin Mining Club director Jodie Currie.
Jeff Pattel (Thiess), Rhoit Dewangan (Adani) and Sam Waldron
(Thiess).
Chris Fung (Morris Corp), Samantha Martin (REED Mining Events)
and John Tehan (Morris Corp).
John Glanville (Autocorner) with Barry Erkson (Puma Energy). Greg Kukla, Colin Mulligan and Heather Parry (all Thiess). David Aleman, Brant Jansen and Melissa Hargraves (all
Flexihire).
PHOTOS: Damien Carty
15The Mining Advocate | July 2014 BETWEEN SHIFTS
Surat Basin Energy and Mining Expo
Toowoomba Showgrounds
Jeff Evans (Wagners) with Dean Burgess (Lankhorst). Frank Pendelbury and Graeme Moyle (Long Distance Couriers). Will Lancaster, David Nichols and Andrew Wallace (all from iPipe
Services).
Lend Lease - Camp Quality charity golf day
Rowes Bay Golf Club, Townsville
Jeff Byrnes (Lend lease), April McFaul (Lend Lease) and
Michael McFaul (6 Aviation Regiment).
Diane Carini and Tony Fletcher (Shamrock Civil) with Allanna
Allen (MGM Photography).
Keith Poulter, Steve Tully and Phil Woodmansey (Golder
Associates).
Luke Graham, Lino Caprioli and Dave Anderson (Flexihire). Jerry Revay, Jerry Kovarik, Jacub Kovarik and David Hromek (Jerry
and the Tilemakers).
Kristy and Adam Duggin with sons Tobi and Rhys (Camp Quality).
ADVERTORIAL
16 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateREGIONAL CAPACITY NQ
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Businesses can register now for Queensland’s leading infrastructure and resource industry event, the 13th annual Major Projects Conference.
Department of State Development Infrastructure and Planning Director-General David Edwards said the one-day program gave delegates the opportunity to learn about signifi cant and emerging projects, industry trends and network with industry leaders.
“Th e Major Projects Conference has a proud history of delivering the latest major
project information to businesses and the community,” Mr Edwards said.
“Th e conference is delivered by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and highlights how the Queensland economy is growing and what projects and industries are emerging.
“Th is is powered by our government’s work to grow a four-pillar economy based on tourism, agriculture, resources and construction and reduce bureaucratic red tape.
“Th e Major Projects
Conference 2013 was a tremendous success with delegates enjoying the engaging program at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“While speakers to this year’s event are still being fi nalised, the conference always attracts high-calibre keynote speakers.
“In the past, IBISWorld chairman Phil Ruthvan has presented, along with Queensland Airports Limited managing director Dennis Chant in 2012.
“I encourage anyone who
wants to share in a stronger Queensland to register early to receive a discounted rate for the conference.”
Th e Major Projects Conference 2014 will be held on September 18 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Financial journalist James Kirby will be the master of ceremonies at this year’s event.
“James is one of Australia’s most experienced fi nancial journalists with a strong background spanning Th e Australian Financial Review,
Business Review Weekly and co-
founding Eureka Report,” Mr
Edwards said.
“I am sure James’ commentary
will provide valuable insights
on Queensland industry trends
during panel discussions.”
Early bird registration
costs $495 (GST included)
per delegate. Th is provides a
saving of $120 on the standard
registration, which costs $615
(GST included) per delegate.
To register visit www.mpc.qld.
gov.au
Major Projects Conference
The gauntlet has been thrown
down to mining companies in the
North West by Townsville-based civil
contractor Mendi.
“Try us.”
Mendi has grown over the last 20
years as civil contracting morphed
into bulk transport which grew into
crushing and screening contracting.
This investment, initially supporting
Mendi’s ongoing business, led to new
opportunities which emerged as the
region grew.
It was the right off er at the right time.
Now they are looking further afi eld
into mining services, according to
Mendi director of administration and
fi nance Steve Goicoechea.
“The company off er : ‘Good
equipment run by good people under
good processes’,” Mr Giocoechea said.
“The business is attentive, diverse,
capable and directly accountable.
“We know the wet season and know
the challenges and expectations of
operating in remote areas.
“We would look to have 50 per cent
local employment on any site and
have an indigenous employment
policy, so the community gets a social
benefi t as well.”
The sign of a well-run operation
was when the client was inclined
to involve Mendi in the day-to-day
decision making, managing director
Jeff Doyle said.
“We always establish a close
relationship with the client’s people
on the ground, which means they can
rely on our input,” he said.
“It is important from the start to
have good people who are aware
of their responsibilities and safety
obligations, as well as having late-
model machinery and awareness of its
operational parameters.
“We have plenty of capacity. For the
last 15 months we’ve crushed on
average 22,000 tonnes of in-spec
asphalt and concrete aggregates
per month at quarry operations in
Townsville . We had surplus machinery
in place so if we had a failure or had
to change wear parts, we didn’t stop
production, we swapped machinery
out.”
Mr Doyle said Mendi had exceeded
expectations and minimised
Mendi mining materialises
downtime, which created confi dence
with the client that they were getting
what they paid for.
“We are able to be innovative in our
tendering, with our point of diff erence
being integrated services from civil
and bulk haulage to crushing and
mining infrastructure works,” he said.
The company’s signature
developments include various
property developments to the north
of Townsville, Bushland Beach, and
supplying more than a million tonnes
of minus-200mm general fi ll to the
Townsville Port Access Road project.
This project saw Mendi perform the
entire package of crushing, loading
and transporting to site an average of
8000 tonnes per day.
Mendi managing director Jeff Doyle.
17The Mining Advocate | July 2014 REGIONAL CAPACITY NQ
(07) 4774 4175 [email protected]
We see the Big Picture
Mendi is a full-service Integrated Group delivering contract crushing and screening, civil construction, bulk haulage and associated services.
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A minerals assessment hub in Townsville has received more than 250 exploration permit applications since its launch last November.
Th is is compared to 316 applications lodged with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) throughout the previous year.
Th e hub was opened in a government eff ort to boost mineral exploration activities in Queensland.
Since its introduction, the monthly number of applications lodged has risen by almost 10 per cent.
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the new hub had signifi cantly reduced the time taken to process applications.
“Exploration permit applications are now being processed in as little as three months, compared to up to 22 months thanks to a new hub in Townsville,” he said.
“We have seen the monthly average of applications lodged with the department increase from 26 to 35 since the Townsville hub began managing these applications.”
Under the previous system, mineral exploration permits had to be lodged in person in the district where the exploration activity was proposed.
Th is meant that mining company employees needed to travel to a provincial centre to lodge
the necessary paperwork. Mr Cripps said the new
system provided a quick and easy application
process.
“Now lodgement can be completed with the click
of a mouse, with applications assessed by DNRM’s
specialist team in Townsville,” he said.
Th e Townsville hub is one of three centres that
deal with mine assessments in Queensland.
Th e coal and mineral regional assessment hubs
were announced to industry in November 2013.
A coal assessment hub in Rockhampton currently
administers all coal mining permits including
mining leases, mineral development licences,
exploration permits and prospecting permits.
And a petroleum assessment hub in Brisbane
administers all petroleum, gas and geothermal
authorities.
Locations of the hubs was determined by their
proximity to industry and location of existing staff .
“Th ese hubs are ensuring permits are processed
faster, giving the mining industry more certainty
to invest and explore, and ultimately create jobs for
Queenslanders,” Mr Cripps said.
Townsville hubcuts waiting time
Th e $2.5 million North and North West Queensland Sustainable Resource Feasibility Studies have identifi ed that the establishment of a major coal-fi red power station will put a strong downward pressure on electricity prices and is commercially viable.
Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss recently released the Dalrymple Scheme report, which also identifi es that a major dam on the Upper Burdekin River is required to underpin an irrigated agriculture project.
Th e studies were funded to address two fundamental constraints to the economic development of the region; competitively priced and sustainable energy, and water.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive offi cer David Kippin said the report identifi ed that a large base load power station would put downward pressure on Queensland electricity prices and reduce delivered prices for major electricity users in North Queensland.
“Th e Dalrymple Scheme report acts as a catalyst to enable the continued expansion and development of the region’s natural resource, agricultural and renewable energy industries,” Mr Kippin said.
Townsville Enterprise general manager economic development Tracey Lines said Infrastructure Australia had described the export supply chain between Townsville and Mount Isa as one of the most valuable regions in the country with the opportunity for signifi cant growth.
A new Townsville
Enterprise report
fi nds that a
local base load
power station
would have a
positive eff ect on
electricity prices
across the state.
Copper mine ramps up output
Glencore in Mount Isa is whistling all the way
to the bank in the face of a steep increase in the
cost of gas.
A consortium of APA and AGL is expected
to commission the new 242MW Diamantina
Power Station before the end of the year. Th is
follows on the heels of the commissioning of
the 60MW Leichhardt power station currently
under way.
Gas prices had almost doubled in the last two
years, said energy and infrastructure specialist
Ross Th ompson from Brisbane-based Soren
Consulting.
“A couple of years ago the prices of gas was
$4-$5 a gigajoule; last year it was around $6 a
gigajoule, now it’s at $10-plus a gigajoule, ” Mr
Th ompson said. “It is all a result of the market
tightening with the majors holding gas to meet
their export commitments.”
Th e demand for gas to power the mine and
the smelter was in the order of 10 petajoules a
year, Mr Th ompson said.
While that may come as a price shock to
some, the then Xstrata operation along with
Ergon contracted a fi xed price for gas for the
period 2013 to 2023. Th e Carpentaria gas
pipeline from Ballera in south-west Queensland
was completed in 1997 to service the Mica
Creek power station, Phosphate Hill fertiliser
project and Cannington Mine.
Gas deal a golden goose for Glencore
Glencore’s $589 million
investment in Ernest Henry
Mining near Cloncurry to shift
from open-pit to underground
operations recently celebrated
a milestone; commencing
operations from a new kilometre-
deep hoisting shaft.
Th e operation will now begin to
ramp up copper production from
3 million tonnes to 6mtpa in 2015
and similarly double annual metal
production to 50,000 tonnes of
copper and 70,000 ounces of gold
in concentrate over an extended
mine life to 2026.
Glencore chief operating
offi cer for copper assets in North
Queensland, Mike Westerman,
said Ernest Henry’s development
strengthened the production
profi le and sustainability of
Glencore’s regional copper
operations. “Our assets in
Mount Isa and at Ernest Henry
accounted for around 14 per
cent of Glencore’s global
copper production in 2013,” Mr
Westerman said.
“Th is investment in Ernest
Henry has eff ectively added 14
years to the life of the mine to
2026. We’re pleased to have this
opportunity to sustain production
at a higher rate, continue to
support around 500 employees
plus contractors and deliver
ongoing benefi ts to the Cloncurry
community and economy.”
Report promotes the need for coal-fi red power station
19The Mining Advocate | July 2014 LOGISTICS AND MATERIALS HANDLING
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Th e Central Highlands Regional Council has identifi ed two parcels
of land that could be transformed into industry and business estates
to support a visionary plan to establish Emerald as an inland port
servicing the mining and agricultural sectors.
Mayor Peter Maguire said the council was doing its part to support
the plan, which fl owed from a forum in Emerald earlier this year
facilitated by the Queensland Transport Logistics Council and the
Transport and Main Roads Department.
He believes the project has a high priority for the State
Government, with obvious economic benefi ts for the region.
But Cr Maguire warned that heavy investment was needed at
state and federal levels on inland roads such as the Peak Downs and
Capricorn highways, to make the project a reality.
“Commercial investment will also be needed to build rail loops and
roads into the two sites earmarked to form part of the inland port
plan,” he said.
One site is to the east of Emerald near Yamala, a site that has
already been identifi ed as part of the Australian Energy and Transport
Corridor which includes a rail link from Melbourne to Darwin. Th e
second site is about 15km to the west of Emerald.
Cr Maguire said speakers at the forum talked about managing
freight growth through the Central Queensland inland port project, as
well as a sea freight action plan and a heavy vehicle action plan.
He said containerisation of agricultural products for shipment
through ports was an area he felt had much potential for the region.
“What it (the forum) is looking at is handling a lot of bulk goods,
fuel, containerised freight, and more use of rail freight across the
resource, agricultural and beef sectors.”
Recent heavy vehicle traffi c studies showed there were 66 return
B-double tanker movements of fuel a day from Mackay on the Peak
Downs Highway. Th e fi gure increased to 70 for return B-double tanker
movements from Gladstone along the Capricorn Highway.
Cr Maguire said the advent of the Galilee Basin mega mines and
their fuel needs would potentially double inland tanker highway traffi c.
Asked if any progress had been made in taking the next step and
moving to concept plans, he said he hadn’t heard anything further.
“To my knowledge I know of one person from Transport and Main
Roads who is working on the project,” he said.
Council
gets behind
inland port
New Acland coal mine, north-west of Oakey, has started operational trials of a $7 million surface mining machine able to load directly on to haul trucks via an attached conveyor system.
Th e four-month trial will test whether the German-built Wirtgen machine will be able to eff ectively mine the thin coal seams at the New Hope Group site.
“Th ere are similar machines used in mining operations in the USA, Turkey and China, so it will be interesting to see how this machine performs here at New Acland,” mine general manager Andrew McDonald said. “Th is is meant to be a very effi cient way to extract the coal from thin seams, and it can also load directly on to the haul trucks via an attached conveyor system.”
Th e State Government’s privatisation plans have brought into focus the question of the sell-off of assets including the Great Northern Railway (GNR). Th e question is, how profi table is the GNR?
Th e railway is notorious for buckling and causing derailments under high temperatures, while seasonal rains regularly cut the line.
Th e incidence is also indicative of the line’s state of repair, according to the Rail,
Tram and Bus Union. Well it seems that the GNR
makes a lot of money. CuDeco logistics manager
John Green estimates 8.5mt shifted over the line in 2012/13 at an estimated average of $20 per tonne. Th at’s around $170 million.
Th e Australia Rail Track Corporation was invited to tender on maintenance for passenger and freight lines from Brisbane to Cairns. Th is was minus the electrifi ed coal
lines now owned by Aurizon. Th e north-west rail corridor
was also left out of the due diligence, mainly, said Mr Green, because it is worth selling.
It begs the question of what do customers think of the sale, considering there will be a profi t imperative, more so, than already exists.
It was the source of a lot of disquiet among operators in the Isa-Carpentaria Minerals Province, Mr Green said.
Taking a load off at New AclandThe German-built Wirtgen surface mining machine at New Hope Group’s New Acland mine.
Th e Great Northern money line
20 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateINDUSTRY UPDATE COAL AND GAS
Glencore takes control
Glencore has taken over operational
management of the Clermont open-cut
coal mine after the successful completion
of the deal to acquire Rio Tinto’s 50.1per
cent shareholding in the mine.
Glencore and joint venture partner
Sumitomo Corporation signed a
binding agreement to acquire a majority
shareholding in Clermont for about
$1 billion.
Rio Tinto described the sale as delivering
good value for its shareholders and said
the company remained committed to
a long-term future in the Australian
coal industry. A $2 billion extension of
the company’s Kestrel mine in Central
Queensland was completed last year and
studies are under way to extend the life
of its Hail Creek operation.
Underground mine winds up
Glencore has announced that its
Newlands Northern underground
operation in the Bowen Basin will reach
the end of its mine life in the fourth
quarter of 2015. Development activities
would cease after June 2014 following
the establishment of the fi nal longwall
panel, seeing about 50 full-time jobs
cut, the company said.
Oxyfuel project keeps fi ring
Th e groundbreaking $245 million
Callide Oxyfuel Project in Central
Queensland has passed the milestone of
6000 hours of operation.
Th e project has been operating in oxy-
fi ring mode at Callide A Power Station,
outside Biloela, since December 2012,
making it one of the most advanced
carbon capture projects in the world.
BOC beefs up operation
Gases and engineering company BOC
has completed a $3.7 million facility
upgrade in Gladstone, refurbishing its
Gas & Gear retail outlet in Red Rover
Rd, operations centre and warehouse
storage facilities to meet growing
customer demand.
BOC managing director for the South
Pacifi c Colin Isaac said the upgrade had
been executed to maintain security of
gas and equipment supply to the LNG
mega projects and to service the greater
Gladstone community, which was
experiencing strong economic growth
through manufacturing, construction,
mining and other sectors.
Tunnel triumph for GLNG
Santos GLNG’s innovative under-sea
tunnel, which connects its pipeline route
on the mainland with Curtis Island,
off Gladstone, was recognised at the
Queensland Premier’s Sustainability
Awards in Brisbane recently.
Th e 4.3km tunnel constructed beneath
the Gladstone Harbour won the
Innovation in Sustainable Technologies
Award, recognising the completion of
the tunnel without disturbing the local
marine environment and with minimal
impact to the surrounding coastal
environments.
All systems go for Ruby Jo
Queensland Curtis LNG project
developer QGC has begun operating
a network of upstream natural gas
processing facilities integral to meeting
a target of producing fi rst LNG from its
Curtis Island plant in the fourth quarter
of 2014. Th e seven facilities west of
Dalby comprise six fi eld compression
stations feeding gas drawn from
hundreds of wells into the larger Ruby
Jo Central Processing Plant.
QGC managing director Mitch Ingram
said Ruby Jo Central Processing Plant,
in conjunction with similar facilities
near Chinchilla, would help fi ll the fi rst
two QCLNG trains on Curtis Island.
Th e facilities are the fi rst to start
operating under a contract QGC
awarded to Th iess last September for
the construction of 17 fi eld compression
stations and four central processing
plants at three hubs in the Surat Basin;
near Dalby, Chinchilla and Wandoan.
Progress in UCG bid
Carbon Energy has announced the
completion of a drilling and sampling
program at its Bloodwood Creek
underground coal gasifi cation (UCG)
pilot site near Dalby.
Th e company said the samples obtained
would help develop a comprehensive
risk-based rehabilitation plan for the
site, if rehabilitation is required.
Carbon Energy expects to submit
its decommissioning report and
rehabilitation plan to the Queensland
Government for approval by the end of
the third quarter of this year, marking
the fi nal step in gaining government
approval to initiate a commercial-scale
UCG project at Bloodwood Creek using
keyseam technology.
Dudgeon Point dropped
North Queensland Bulk Ports
Corporation (NQBP) has moved to
have the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminals
Project’s declaration as a co-ordinated
project cancelled .
Th e Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) studies for the proposed
development near Mackay were paused
by the preferred developers last year
as demand for the new terminals was
reassessed after an industry-wide
downturn in the coal market, the
corporation said.
“Although this particular development
proposal will be withdrawn, it does not
necessarily indicate that expansion to
the coal export facilities will not be
required at the Port of Hay Point in the
future,” outgoing NQBP chief executive
offi cer Brad Fish said.
“Th ose interested in port development
must demonstrate demand, and current
and short-term forecast market demand
for coal does not support an expansion
to the capacity proposed in the
Dudgeon Point Coal Terminals Project.”
Th e second of two stockyard stacker bridges has been successfully installed at at the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) in Gladstone.
Th e 700-tonne lift and installation of the eastern stacker required a total of six cranes to complete.
Th e two WICET stacker bridges, each 11m wide and 125m long, will comprise an integral part of the terminal’s coal in-loading infrastructure, providing the support and housing for the shuttling conveyor and telescopic chute which will deliver coal across the stockpiles.
Both bridges were pre-fi tted with electrical and mechanical components on site
by John Holland Group, which also undertook the associated lifts.e.Stage One construction of WICET is now more than 85 per cent complete, with
the project scheduled to load its fi rst ship late this year.
Uplifting view
WICET chief project offi cer Bryce Jones inspects the 700-tonne lift and install of the
second of two stacker bridges at the WICET coal stockyard recently. Photo: Murray Ware
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Liveability is seen as a signifi cant driver to attract
people with diverse skill sets to settle in the
Mackay region.
Mackay Regional Council is playing a lead
role in revitalising Mackay’s city with a short
list of four companies announced in June to
present tenders to do the work for an $18 million
upgrade of the City Centre.
Th is signifi cant project has been made possible
through an $8.8 million Australian Government
grant from the Regional Development Australia
initiative, with the council matching the funding
50-50.
Th e council’s fi nancial commitment to the
project is derived from the sale of the former
Ergon Energy building and proceeds from the
Woodlands development.
Project manager Jim Carless is confi dent
work will begin in August, creating between
80 and 100 jobs in total during the 14-month
construction phase.
BMD Urban, FK Gardner and Sons, Shamrock
Civil Engineering and Vassallo Construction are
participating in a series of workshops which will
cover construction issues and key requirements
of council such as managing access to businesses
during construction works and communication
with business stakeholders.
Mr Carless said he was mindful of the eff ects
dust and noise would have on trade in the CBD
and some of the work during the construction
phase would occur at night to minimise the
impact.
He said all four companies tendering for
the project had been made aware of the fact
that council wanted local businesses to play
a prominent role in sub-contracts above
the mandatory requirements of the Local
Government Act.
Economic Development portfolio councillor
Greg Martin said it was the fi rst major upgrade
for 21 years and “long overdue”.
“Th is is going to be a legacy project for this
council and will certainly reactivate the City
Centre,” he said.
Extensive streetscaping, installation of
contemporary UrbanStone footpath pavers, street
furniture and more than 160 new street and
footpath lights form a key part of the project.
“A tree-lined boulevard will be created along
Victoria St which will eventually link up with
the city’s largest shopping precinct at Caneland
Central six blocks away,” Cr Martin said.
Mr Carless said two blocks of the boulevard
would be included in the upcoming project, with
the others to follow later.
He said the business case demonstrated that
an extra $27 million worth of employment was
forecast to be generated over the next 10 years
due to this project.
Mr Carless said that once the project was
completed, visitors to the City Centre would
be one step closer to having a pedestrian-
friendly, shaded boulevard between Caneland
Central and the CBD - off ering additional
opportunities to business owners.
An artist’s impression of the
redeveloped City Centre.
Fresh spark for Mackay
New manager ready to meet portfolio’s challenges Debra Howe is a little more than two months into her role as Mackay Regional Council’s new Manager Economic Development and is relishing the challenge.
Ms Howe brings 18 years of economic development experience in local government to the table and has also worked for Tourism Queensland in the area of destination development.
“My role is very much the culmination of my career so far, it’s very exciting,” she said.
Th e importance of the Economic Development role in the years ahead is underscored by the council’s decision to move the Economic Development Program into the offi ce of the Mayor and Chief Executive Offi cer.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics fi gures show the region had $416.5 million in residential building activity in the 12 months to March 2014.Th ere was
also $260.9 million in non-residential work in the past 12 months.
Economic Development portfolio councillor Greg Martin said the council was implementing a new “fi rst point of contact” service to improve the facilitation of major projects and key development sites through a co-ordinated approach to approval processes and interactions with developers.
“One of the keys to success with major projects is to have a “whole of government, whole community” approach to realising them,” he said.
Th e Diversify Mackay forum held earlier in the year was a community collaboration with business, industry, community organisations and government working together to create a sustainable future for the people of Mackay.
Mackay Regional Council Manager Economic Development
Debra Howe chats with Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce
president Tim Miles at a Diversify Mackay meeting in June.
July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateCommunities supporting mining - Mackay22
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testing laboratory.
“We can provide just a supply and spray
or a comprehensive service where we
sweep, spray, spread, roll, provide traffi c
control and supply all products. Our
machinery fl eet includes fi ve bitumen
sprayers that are capable of eff ectively
fulfi lling any spray sealing needs, wheth-
er for single or two-coat bitumen seal,
emulsion seal, primer seal or prime. Our
tanker fl eet can supply over 100,000L per
day everyday.”
Rock N Road are proud of their long-
standing work relationship with many
companies, in particular Mackay
Regional Council. “We support Mackay
Regional Council in developing and
maintaining the roads throughout our
region to the highest standard,” Mr
Wwallman said.
23The Mining Advocate | July 2014 Communities supporting mining - Mackay
Mackay Regional Council has invested heavily in revitalising the inner city, and property developers have reacted positively to the initiative.
Planning and Development portfolio councillor David Perkins said the City Centre was being transformed into a modern and progressive retail, dining and entertainment precinct, with a focus on inner city living.
Existing short and long-term highrise developments including Mackay Grande Suites, two serviced apartment projects by Quest and riverside accommodation at Rivage, Lanai and Fusion will be joined soon by a new highrise development managed by Oaks.
“Two other highrise developments, Pacifi c Sands and Carlyle Apartments, are under construction within the city precinct and a commitment has been made by the owners of Mackay Airport to construct a 150-plus-room hotel at the airport,” Cr Perkins said.
“Th ere are also a number of other commercial and accommodation projects approved for the city precinct.”
Cr Perkins acknowledged the excellent working relationship with the development industry, particularly the likes of the
Inner city living key attraction
Urban Development Institute
of Australia and the Master
Builders Association. “We meet
with groups like the UDIA plus
individual developers on a monthly
basis as part of our outcomes-
driven approach to working with
the industry,” he said.
Cr Perkins said that the
Bluewater Trail – a 21km cycle-
pedestrian link around the
city – continued to be a catalyst for much of the inner-city redevelopment.
“Th is national award-winning trail has brought the river to life and activated many areas along the riverfront,” he said.
“Various sections of the trail are favourites for families while the recent Mackay Marina Run saw over 3000 locals and visitors enjoy running alongside our pristine Pioneer River.”
Th e $230 million redevelopment of Canelands Central had completely changed
the ambience of the city, he said.“What was once overgrown
and unsightly vegetation and shopping centre loading docks backing on to the Pioneer River is now the main entrance to Canelands Central, populated with restaurants that look out towards the river. It’s now a popular destination to socialise,” Cr Perkins said.
Th e Bluewater Trail runs straight past Caneland Central.
Cr Perkins pointed to the city’s recent jump in building approvals as an encouraging indication
that the city may be moving out of a dip brought about by a marked slowdown in coal mining activities in the Bowen Basin as a result of declining global coal prices. He said monthly building approvals averaged 42 between December last year and April this year but jumped to 57 in May.
“I’m not saying we’ve turned the corner, but it is an encouraging sign,” Cr Perkins said. “Our aim is to have more inner-city living so our city precinct will become self-sustainable.”
Planning and Development portfolio
councillor David Perkins at the Oaks
building in Mackay’s CBD.
The Bluewater
Trail is a catalyst
for inner city
development.
Revising how it engages with local contractors has made it signifi cantly easier to do business with Mackay Regional Council.
Peter Shuttlewood heads up council’s Plant and Procurement Program and, after attending government business forums, he was keen to develop a more engaging, interactive style of presentation. What followed was the creation of the Doing Business with Council forum, where current and would-be businesspeople can take steps to be part of council’s preferred partners’ arrangements.
Mr Shuttlewood said council looked to make its forums “informative with education and a chance of conversation”.
“Th e feedback we received last year was exceptional, a number of suppliers fl ew from Brisbane to be part of the forum,” Mr Shuttlewood said.
He said all parties benefi ted from being on the council’s preferred partner list.
“Th rough the use of the preferred supplier arrangements, council is spared tendering for every project that can’t be handled internally, which saves time and ultimately benefi ts the ratepayer because projects happen more quickly,” he said.
In the last 12 months, Mr Shuttlewood’s department released $80 million in contracts
Mackay Regional Council recently handed down a $361.4 million budget for 2014-2015, which includes a $145 million capital works program.
Roads and Infrastructure portfolio councillor Kevin Casey said investing in key infrastructure was fundamental to helping the city prosper.
“Th is year’s program delivers signifi cant funding to upgrading and renewing essential facilities and infrastructure to shape our future,” he said.
Cr Casey said roads and drainage work would again be a major focus, with more than 250 diff erent projects earmarked for the next 12 months.
“We have allocated over $41 million to roads and drainage work this fi nancial year, including road reseals, bridge replacements, footpaths and road safety initiatives,” he said.
Innovation, passion and the
desire to seek new opportunities
are key drivers in the Mayor’s
Diversify Mackay initiative.
Cr Deirdre Comerford is
looking to form a consortium
of business and industry
leaders to unite and deliver
a fresh approach, focused on
diversifi cation and growing the
local economy.
“Th e forum we held in
February clearly identifi ed the
need to take control of the
adjustment we are facing in our
economy,” she said.
Positioning the Mackay
as diverse as supplying additional
trucks for pothole repairs, traffi c
signs and even books for the
library service.
Mr Shuttlewood said the
forums provided his staff with the
opportunity to update business
representatives with changes to
local government regulations
linked to entering into certain
contracts with council.
“We encourage our contractors
to raise issues that will be of
benefi t to the council and them,”
he said.
“Th ere have been instances
where we have taken on board
suggestions made by our
contractors.”
region as a food bowl for Asia
was among 10 key priorities
discussed at this year’s forum.
“It’s an idea that has merit
and will be explored by a soon
to be created leadership alliance.
Being innovative and willing to
try something new can put us
ahead of the pack and make us
masters of our own destiny,” Cr
Comerford said.
CSIRO future team leader
Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, who was
a guest speaker at the forum,
described the event as “full
of microcosmic thinking and
entrepreneurial spirit”.
“Mackay is leading the way,
ideally this is what we should be
doing at cities across the nation
and at a national level,” he said.
Dr Hajkowicz said great
opportunities existed for Mackay
region businesses to become
a food bowl and tap into the
Chinese market.
“China is buying more food
than it is producing; there’s high
demand for wine and protein-
based produce, such as fi sh and
meat,” he said.
A few months on from
the initial day-long Diversify
Mackay forum and the wheels
are starting to gain traction.
Th e Mayor has been tirelessly
working to galvanise business
and industry leaders.
“I want us to be visionary and
we need to be proactive,” Cr
Comerford said.
Th ere are a number of exciting
new ventures on the radar and
Cr Comerford said economic
development was about to adopt
a new direction in the city.
“We have just handed down
the lowest rates rise in the
history of the organisation and
the City Centre Revitalisation
Project coupled with a
signifi cant capital works program
provides the foundation for a
positive 12 months,” she said.
Doing business with council made easier
Mayor heads drive to diversify local economy
Focus on roads, drainage
Deirdre ComerfordMackay Mayor
July 2014 | The Mining Advocate
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Communities supporting mining - Mackay24
Within a decade, Paget’s industrial precinct has been transformed from a sprinkling of workshops surrounded by cane farms and the nearby Mackay Airport into the epicentre of the mining services sector.
Mackay Mayor Deirdre Comerford said Paget was integral to the growth of the resources sector and continued to provide a place for innovation and design.
“It is the hub for industrial and commercial business and has a reputation for best practice when establishing strong industrial centres,” she said.
“We have seen the growth of many businesses and attracted some big players who now call Paget their Australian base.”
Former Brisbane-based real estate agent and property developer Clinton Arentz is among a number of investors with a strong belief in the city’s future.
He fi rst took an interest in Mackay in the early 2000s and by 2007 made the move with wife Rhondda to the Central Queensland city. “Th ere was a massive coal mining boom (in the Bowen Basin) and Mackay had a good transport hub and a port,” he said.
Mr Arentz rolled the dice and invested $30 million in the Terminus Business Park, a development he described as being “ahead of its time in Mackay”. Such was his faith in the potential of the city that he built without even one tenant signed up.
Stages one and two of Terminus Business Park are now fully occupied.
Mackay Regional Council has invested more than $70 million in roads and drainage infrastructure in Paget. Th e
Paget precinct powers ahead
centrepiece was redeveloping Connors Rd into four lanes to ease congestion and improve access for all vehicles.
“It was the largest single road construction project ever undertaken by council and has enhanced connectivity and accessibility within the industrial estate,” Cr Comerford said.
Th ere are more than 520 commercial rateable properties in the Paget industrial estate and the number is growing every year. Mr Arentz’s positive approach is infectious and he remains convinced Mackay will emerge from the “classic cyclical pattern” when coal prices rise again.
“Capital is abundant for good projects and interest rates are at an historical low,” he said.
Not content with his fi rst venture into the Paget business park, the Winston Group director has formed an alliance with a group of prominent local businessmen to open the $15 million Evo Business Centre at Paget.
He also has a second parcel of 10ha behind the business centre
which will also be developed as Evolution Industrial Estate when market conditions dictate.
“Investment in Stage Two will be as much, if not more than the business centre,” he said.
Clinton ArentzProperty developer
Mr Arentz and his alliance
members have placed their
collective faith in the resilience
of the Mackay business
community. He applauded the
council for having the vision
and faith to sow the seeds for
business development in the
Paget business park.
“I commend the council for
the work they do to promote
business opportunities,” he said.
Th e entrepreneur with a
passion for motorsport knows
only one way to go and that’s full
throttle.
He took third place outright
and won his class in Australia’s
most celebrated tarmac rally, the
Targa Tasmania, this year driving
his Mitsubishi Evo 10.
The proposed Evolution Industrial Estate site at Paget.
Turning negatives into positivesby Clint Arentz Th e Winston Group I don’t do “downturn”. It is one of the most counterproductive words in business.
Th e mining sector has moved from a capital expenditure phase to one of extraction and export. It’s a predictable and positive part of the mining industry cycle. All indications are that future demand for coal remains strong and long lived.
Th e signs are good and the Mackay region is in a position to strengthen itself now, to make the most of this coming period of recovery and growth.
Th e markets which rely on our coal, such as China and India, are all still growing at a phenomenal rate.
Th is month, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang confi rmed a
minimum expected growth rate for China this year of 7.5 per cent. Th e Chinese minister for housing estimates that 300 million more Chinese will move from rural living to new and existing cities before 2025.
Th e steel and energy required to sustain this growth is beyond comprehension, setting our mineral industry in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Th e reality is that business cycles are a fact of life. Since 1945, at least 12 major cycles have occurred. Th ese cycles are infl uenced by interest rates and currency cycles, production and demand cycles, and most importantly, confi dence cycles.
Business cycles always bounce back. Some take longer than others, and the adjustment we are currently
experiencing locally is part of a normal business cycle.
Winston Group developed the $30 million Terminus Business Park, because I saw the potential in both Paget and Mackay for future growth and diversity. When construction commenced during the GFC, we did not have one tenant. Yet today, Terminus is a vibrant business hub. Our investment in the next generation Evo Business Centre as well as plans to develop an additional 10ha of adjacent industrial land is a refl ection of the confi dence our business has in the ongoing growth of Mackay.
It’s time to think positively and realise that the Mackay region’s best years are ahead of it. It’s what you do today, that will set you up for future success.
ADVERTORIAL
25The Mining Advocate | July 2014 Communities supporting mining - Mackay
Sky-high
potential One point three billion and two thousand fi ve hundred.
Th at’s the dollar contribution of Mackay Airport to the region and the direct and indirect number of jobs the facility supports.
Passenger numbers ebb and fl ow during the year, with the dry attracting the bulk of travellers and the low period spanning either side of Christmas.
Mackay Airport’s plans to lift and fl atten traffi c fl ow are part of a wider Diversify Mackay Leadership Alliance strategic eff ort to broaden the region’s economic drivers.
Th e development of the airport is one of 10 priorities the alliance has identifi ed in the face of an adjustment in infrastructure investment by the mining sector.
North Queensland Airports, which is jointly owned by JP Morgan, Auckland Airport, Perth-based Perron Investments and Th e Infrastructure Fund, managed by Hastings, has committed $900 million to the
development of the Mackay precinct over the next 20 years.
Th e fi rst sign is a 152-bed motel emerging behind the airport car park. Th e $30 million project is expected to be fi nished mid-2015.
It was a focus of attention, said airport general manager Rob Porter.
“Mackay Airport is ready to invest in the future of the region as we develop the airport into Central Queensland’s multimodal integrated transport hub,” Mr Porter said.
“Th e alliance recognises the airport’s role in helping ‘future proof ’ the economy and more people recognise the airport as a key economic driver.
“Th e hotel will be the fi rst of several major construction projects planned for Mackay Airport as part of our 20-year vision.”
Despite the mining adjustment, there were still opportunities to build the region’s population, Mr Porter said. “If you look at the
CSIRO Strategic Opportunities for Australia (report), Mackay has the potential to be a hub for professional services outside the capital cities,” he said.
“We need to fi rst, look at
opportunities and second, have a strategic goal. (For example), we have never had more coal come out of the ground. Th at calls for transport, logistics and materials handling specialties.
“Mackay Airport is already well placed as a FIFO and DIDO hub for the Galilee and Bowen basins and it supports the city as a key resources supply and service centre.”
An artist’s impression of the $30 million, 152-bed motel to be built at Mackay Airport by 2015.
Mackay Airport has welcomed the start of daily
Mackay – Gold Coast services by Jetstar.
General manager Rob Porter said the public
had expressed a strong interest, through airport
surveys, in a direct link with the Gold Coast
and it was pleasing to see that Jetstar had made
it a reality.
“Th is daily connection means it’s even easier
for people in Mackay to get to this popular
holiday destination and it provides a convenient
option for FIFO passengers travelling from the
Gold Coast to Mackay for work,” he said.
“Gold Coast people will be able to use
the service whenever they want to come to
Mackay – to catch up with family and friends,
experience the serenity or adventure off the
beaten track or attend unique events such as the
Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival.”
Airport adds Gold Coast to daily off erings
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July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateCommunities supporting mining - Mackay26
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NEW
Ever had the back-end of your car fl ick out negotiating a
roundabout just after rain?
That sick feeling when you realise it could have been an
accident.
Now imagine that feeling driving a 200-tonne truck.
That very hazard presented itself in wet season conditions at
the 177 million-tonne Clermont open-cut mine, where tyre tread
design and displacement where not enough to keep traction.
It threatened to stop production.
With contract deadlines to meet, then operator Rio Tinto was
keen to fi nd a solution and, having used RUD tyre protection
chains (TPC) to reduce abrasion and prevent sidewall piercing on
loaders and trucks at other mines, turned to RUD Australia for a
solution.
After detailed consultation, RUD recommended their Garant
Terra Plus X22 - a traction chain which has proved successful in
many world-class mines, and trial pairs of Terra Plus X22 were
fi tted to the rear 40.00R57 tyres of several of the 830-Es.
“With Terra Plus X22 fi tted, Clermont was able to continue
operating and exporting while the weather had shut down
most of the Bowen Basin. The mine gained over 1500 hours of
production time and produced some 100,000 extra tonnes of
coal,” said David Sturton, product manager TPC.
“The trial was so successful that Rio has now fi tted additional
Terra Plus X22s to their track fl eet, thus ensuring safer
performance and a substantial gain in plant availability and
productivity during the wet season.”
RUD Australia will showcase its latest innovations at QME 2014,
Stand L122.RUD Terra Plus X22 traction chains fi tted to a Komatsu 830-E 200t haul truck.
Safepad, the leading name in impact hazard protection, is delivering a range of new edge protection products to the industry.
“Safepad Edges” are designed to cover protruding or hazardous edges, off ering reassuring protection to managers whose employees may previously have been exposed to hazards such as fl anges, air conditioning units, braces, stairways and beams.
Supplied in convenient 50cm lengths, the fl exible yet durable Safepad Edges are made from high-quality EVA foam; are hazard-stripe black and yellow; and are designed to suit a variety of applications.
These products are supplied in three diff erent profi les, all with a 40mm radius, including: a semicircle; a three-quarter circle; and a slotted full circle.
The semicircle and three-quarter circle are supplied with pre-attached adhesive strips, allowing easy application to most surface types.
The slotted full circle is designed to fi t neatly over a narrow edge.
Workplace injuries account for a signifi cant amount
of downtime on the nation’s construction and resource
projects and Safepad is contributing on a daily basis
to reducing injuries incurred around hazardous work
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Safepad is a 100 per cent Australian-owned and
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Walk the line ... in the wetADVERTORIAL
Queensland Mining and Engineering (QME) Exhibition organiser Reed Mining Events says the biennial show is worth more than $36 million to the Mackay region.
Lawrence Consulting, commissioned to independently conduct an economic impact study, came to their conclusions based on activity generated by the organisers and more than 600 exhibiting companies and 12,500 attendees in 2012.
Th is outlay on QME resulted in an estimated increase to Mackay’s Gross Regional Product of $17.1 million and $31.3 million for Queensland.
Th e report also described QME 2012 as generating more than $220 million in direct sales for exhibitors and $584.7 million in total sales, within Queensland.
Th e results of the QME 2012 study vindicated holding a regional mining exhibition, Reed Mining Events director Paul Baker said.
“...Th ese results confi rmed the long-held anecdotal evidence from attendees and exhibitors, that QME is pivotal to the continued growth of the Queensland mining sector,” he said.
“QME has been a fi xture on the Mackay calendar for over 21 years.
“Th is report confi rms long-held opinions that QME is more than just a regional-based mining exhibition.
“QME is an economic shot in the arm for the Mackay region and the state of Queensland.”
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Deirdre Comerford said the report was encouraging and clearly displayed the
QME to confi rm Mackay’s
position as ‘Mining Central’
Many in the 400-strong crowd at a recent Bowen Basin Mining Club meeting in Mackay
left with a spring in their step after a senior Adani representative declared that fi rst coal
from the Carmichael mine in the Galilee Basin would be shipped in late 2017.
Adani general manager project infrastructure Ian Sedgman told the audience that
80 per cent of the approval process for the coal mine and rail project had been ticked off
and the Indian multi-national would soon award major contracts.
Mr Sedgman urged supply chain business owners to be prepared for announcements
and work directly with the major companies who win contracts.
Th e Carmichael coal deposit was thought to be the largest known coal deposit in
the world and the seam was extremely favourable for both open-cut and underground
mining, with no blasting required, Mr Sedgman said.
Th e mine has a projected output of up to 60 million tonnes per annum and Adani has
been working on its environmental impact study for its T0 coal loading facility at Abbot
Point near Bowen.
To be built in two stages, it will be capable of shipping 70mtpa. Adani’s T1 terminal at
Abbot Point currently exports 50mtpa.
Mr Sedgman said Australia was the front end of the supply chain and that Australian
confi dence levels in the coal market had no impact on the project as India still needed
power to millions of homes.
Adani would deliver this, owning the entire process, he said.
With a project life expected to extend 90 years, there was set to be signifi cant
employment wealth alongside the purchase of goods and services, mining royalty and tax
payments, spilling back into the state’s economy, Mr Sedgman said.
“Th e project underpins economic prosperity for all Queenslanders.”
Located on the edge of the Galilee Basin, about 160km north-west of Clermont,
Carmichael coal mine is planned to include a 500-person camp and an airstrip to support
a fl y in-fl y out and drive in-drive out workforce.
Mr Sedgman said the successful contractors would be responsible for supplying the
bulk of the workforce.
He envisaged the employment opportunities would spread from local works to the
corners of Queensland, but said this was at the discretion of the successful contractors’
workforce practices, rather than Adani Mining.
Adani committed to
fi rst coal in late 2017
signifi cant boost the event injected into
the Mackay region.
“We appreciate the huge positive
economic impact QME delivers for our
community, enabling us to showcase
our region as a business and tourist
destination,” Cr Comerford said.
“Council is a proud supporter of
QME’s endeavour to provide a unique
opportunity to conduct business face to
face with key buyers and decision makers
in the mining community – right here, in
the heart of our state’s vital coal mining
region.
“With the drop in the price of coal since
2012, the fl ow-on eff ects have presented
new challenges for our community –
QME provides the perfect platform to
showcase our region and Queensland’s
experience and capability in resources and
also raises our international profi le.”
QME 2014 will be held at Mackay
Showground from July 22-24.
It is set to be the largest mining event
organised in the country this year.
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July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateCommunities supporting mining - Mackay28
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Industry inspires education merger Th e July merger between CQUniversity and CQ TAFE will see the number of university students jump from 20,000 to 35,000 as the education institute aims to become a one-stop shop for industry.
Th e merge will introduce an additional 14 diplomas and certifi cates for students, including a diploma in engineering, a diploma in construction, and options in health and agriculture.
CQUniversity deputy vice-chancellor (industry and VET) Nik Babovic said the merge was in response to industry feedback.
“It was through our engagement committees with industry at the university four years ago that industry said if you truly want to engage with us we need you to deliver on all levels from Certifi cate I right through to PhD. As we went along we found the best opportunity was to merge with TAFE,” he said.
Th e project has almost $74 million in federal government funding for new infrastructure, jobs and education pathways across the existing
university pooled together to off er a range of opportunities for industry.”
Th e developments will also see a new engineering facility built on the university’s Ooralea, Mackay campus.
Mr Babovic said the new engineering building would enable students to complete a full four-year engineering degree within Mackay.
“It will also focus on new areas such a mechatronics and, having met with industry regularly, I know they’re really excited to have the facility,” he said.
Mackay Area Industry Network (MAIN) general manager Julie Boyd said the merger and new engineering building would provide industry-specifi c training.
“I think it provides a tremendous opportunity because people who want to start out at say certifi cate level can go right through to full degree into the future if they wish,” she said.
“CQUni are very interested in ensuring that industry is well supported in this region.”
CQUniversity and CQ TAFE sites at Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone and Emerald.
It’s also supported by the Queensland Government, which has contributed $120 million in assets to the partnership.
“Having one organisation in the industry in the region to work with all of the resources is a real benefi t,” Mr Babovic said.
“Th ere’s $130 million worth of assets coming from TAFE and the $250 million from the
Nik BabovicCQUniversity deputy vice-chancellor
A CQUniversity student is using the skills he picked up in class to improve operations and reduce costs at Rio Tinto’s Kestrel mine.
Richard Kirk is enrolled in an MBA with CQUni and works as a project offi cer with Rio.
He was recently selected by his employer to prepare a four-minute video presentation for Rio Tinto’s Transformation Program which will be presented at the highest level of the organisation and distributed for general viewing within the wider Rio Tinto group.
Mr Kirk said his fresh view on sustainable project management was largely thanks to two years of study within CQUniversity’s project management program.
“I’ve been involved with project management in a range of roles over the past 20 years and have always been systems-orientated, but the CQUni graduate certifi cate in project management has really helped me to fi ll the gaps and comprehend how to create a framework and how to tailor it using the right tools and techniques to come up with the deliverables that stakeholders want,” he said.
“I’m really appreciating that project management requires a focus on sustainability as it is paramount to maintain asset performance while enabling safe and reliable operation.”
Mr Kirk said it could take some time to fully integrate best practice into his company processes, but it would be worthwhile in the longer term.
Touch of class pays off
Project offi cer Richard Kirk at Kestrel mine, north-east of Emerald.
QN steps up for bright futureTh e Queensland Nickel refi nery at Yabulu, 25km north of Townsville, has been operating for 40 years and its owner, mining entrepreneur and Federal MP Clive Palmer, has a big party planned for December to mark the occasion.
Th e mine was originally expected to operate for about 20 years and was on the brink of closure in 1993 when its ore supply from Greenvale dried up. But the then management had the foresight to import nickel ore, a practice that continues to this day through the Port of Townsville.
QN now has its own bulk unloading facility at Berth Two and accounts for 80 per cent of the port’s imports.
Mr Palmer took over QN when it was again on the cusp of closure, with BHP
Billton looking at mothballing the refi nery or selling it.
Nickel prices were at a low point of the commodity cycle and more than 800 jobs looked all but certain to go.
Mr Palmer entered into negotiations with the then-Premier Anna Bligh and BHP Billiton and a deal was struck in July, 2009.
QN chief fi nancial offi cer Daren Wolf, who has been with the refi nery for 25 years, watched fi rsthand as Mr Palmer’s management style transformed the business from an operation that often took months to make a decision into one that could move forward on a key project in days.
Mr Wolf has on his whiteboard in his offi ce a string of words which refl ect how the business now operates from the top down: “being fl exible,
getting things done, on time”. “I added ‘on time’ more
recently,” Mr Wolf said. “What Mr Palmer has done
is keep the very best of BHP Billiton’s safety practices, which they are good at, while adding his entrepreneurial style of management.”
Mr Palmer has done what many people at the time thought impossible, turn QN into a money-making concern by embarking on a wide-ranging cost cutting campaign that touched all facets of the operation.
Th e result culminated in the Christmas Party to end all Christmas parties on November 19, 2010 for 1500 employees and their partners at a cost of $2 million.
Earlier he presented 50 Mercedes-Benz B130 hatchbacks to selected staff
plus 700 holidays to others. Mr Palmer may well have
benefi ted from an upward shift of the nickel price to post $100 million profi t from a business that 16 months earlier had been losing $10 million a month, but his focus of trimming running costs was also crucial, a practice that continues to this day.
He turned to his staff to identify areas where effi ciencies could be gained and those who contributed were rewarded accordingly at the Christmas Party. Th at initial round of cost-saving initiatives yielded $16 million in savings.
QN managing director of refi nery and port operations Ian Ferguson is a long-time business associate and friend of Mr Palmer.
“Clive worked with me when I
was in real estate development. He branched out into his own real estate business and later mining resources,” Mr Ferguson said.
“But Clive and myself have remained friends ever since.”
Mr Ferguson is proud that there hasn’t been a redundancy, only natural attrition, at the refi nery in 18 months since he joined the business.
“Nickel prices are again on the rise and big projects are afoot in the months ahead to improve effi ciency even further,” he said.
A celebration of the 40th anniversary will see all staff receive $100 restaurant
vouchers, a presentation boxed commemorative coin and a company polo shirt.
A Townsville-based business specialising in steel fabrication and supplying equipment and services to the mining and mineral processing sectors continues to prosper in the market as many competitors have been forced to downsize as commodity prices contract.The Wulguru Group boasts 150 employees and company director Wayne Landrigan reckons he knows why
the business continues to do well.
“It’s our people - we don’t have much turnover, within the last few years having several employees reaching milestones of 15, 20 as well as 30 years with us,” he said.
“We have experienced people with the right skill sets who are known by our clients through repeat business, that’s where we shine.”
Wulguru Group staff are skilled in a variety of engineering applications including steel, plate work, tanks and pressure pipe work.
Clients include the BHP Billiton Cannington Mine in the North West, Phosphate Hill, Queensland Nickel, Glencore and the Port of Townsville.
Formed in 1977, the company has evolved and diversified with
the changing market conditions, but one common thread has run through the business since its inception – acquiring the very best staff with a shared view of excellence and a capacity to present engineering solutions across a range of engineering, welding and fabrication applications.For more details visit: www.wulgurusteel.com
Wulguru Group employees Barry Weir (26 years’ service), Jeff Dellit (16 years) and Kevin Cox (32 years).
Wulguru Steel - experienced people with the right skill sets
30 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateQueensland Nickel feature
Shipments to/from North Queensland?
North QueenslandCustoms Services
Customs Brokers
International Freight Forwarders
Container Transportation
www.nqcs.com.au
296 Boundary Street, Townsville Qld 4810
Phone: (07) 4772 2400 Fax: (07) 4772 3121
North Queensland Customs Services (NQCS) is a
Townsville-based international freight forwarder
and customs clearing house with a network of agents
located throughout Australia and internationally.
Not only does day team leader of operations Greg Saunders wear the mantle as longest serving employee at the Yabulu nickel refi nery, with 40 years to his credit, he also holds the distinction of playing a role in building the place.
“When I fi rst came here (the refi nery site) in 1972 I was a backhoe operator working for the construction company that had the contract to build the refi nery,” he said.
“It was just scrub out here. I applied for a job at the refi nery after it was built and was working in Weipa when I received a telegram saying I had the job.”
Like many others, he started as a utility man and found his niche working in the roaster area of the refi nery.
He climbed the ladder, becoming a control room operator and in 1984 was appointed foreman of the roaster area.
In 1995 he moved to the gas recovery area as a crew leader, then joined the team tasked with a major expansion project when BHP owned the refi nery and were shipping nickel ore from the Ravensthorpe mine in Western Australia.
His early years at the refi nery were marked by a string of strikes as unions battled the management over conditions at various work sites.
“It wasn’t until 1977 that things started to settle down,” he said.
Th e refi nery was supplied by the Greenvale mine west of Townsville but in 1993, with the supply exhausted, his future looked uncertain. “We thought we were out of a job but the management had
Yabulu veteran has seen it all over 40 years
been working behind the scenes to start importing ore,” he said.
Uncertainty returned in 2005 when the refi nery was again on the brink of closure.
But against all odds it continued to operate and Mr Saunders continues to enjoy his work. So, at 61, what does the veteran have planned for the future?
“Well that’s up to (wife) Anne,” he said. “She works for Qantas and enjoys her job.”
But Mr Saunders said he had purchased a caravan and now enjoyed annual fi shing trips with his Townsville school mates, something he wants to do more of.
Queensland Nickel’s longest serving employee,
Greg Saunders, 61, has lost count of the
number of times he has checked in and out of
the refi nery during his 40 years on the job.
1966 Geologists commenced exploration of the Greenvale deposit, an area originally mapped by offi cers of the Bureau of Mineral Resources in 1957
1972 Construction of town and mine at Greenvale and Greenvale-Yabulu railway commenced
1974 Greenvale town, mine and railway completed
Yabulu Refi nery completed and commissioned
1986 First nickel ore import arrived aboard the River Torrens
Test shipments of imported ore arrived at Yabulu from Indonesia and New Caledonia
1988 First regular shipments of Indonesian ore arrived
1989 First regular shipments of New Caledonian ore arrived
The internationally patented ammoniacal solvent extraction technology was introduced to the refi ning process to signifi cantly improve the separation of nickel and cobalt
1992 QNI Limited incorporated on April 30,1992
QNI Limited listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on September 24, 1992
Mining at Greenvale ceased
1993 Last ore railment from Greenvale to Yabulu
Mining at Brolga commenced
1994 Mount Isa Mines (MIM) transferred unloading operations at the port to Queensland Nickel
1995 QNI Limited acquired 100 per cent ownership of the assets of the QNI Group
Mining at Brolga ceased
1995 All ore feed for the Yabulu Refi nery imported
1996 Cobalt plant built at the Yabulu Refi nery
Imported ore handling system built at Port of Townsville
Additional roasting capacity completed (construction of roasters 11 and 12)
1997 Yabulu Refi nery purchased by South African-owned Billiton
2000 Water Recycling Facility commissioned
2001 Solar drying commenced using Brazilian method
BHP and Billiton merge. Yabulu wholly owned by BHP Billiton
2005 Dryer 2 converted to operate on coal seam gas
2006 Final Nickel Plant Calciner and Gas Plant Reformers converted to operate on gas
2007 Boiler 3 converted to operate on coal seam gas
Yabulu Extension Project (YEP) completed; fi rst compacts produced.
2009 Ravensthorpe shutdown; last RNO intermediate feed tipped
Yabulu Refi nery purchased by Clive Palmer
2010 NHC intermediate feed from Goro (Vale) New Caledonia commenced
2012 Resumed mining at Brolga
2013 Queensland Nickel imported 4.1 million tonnes of ore in one year
Coal trial commenced in Roaster 12
2014 One million tonnes nickel packed on May 29, 2014
Tunnel construction, 1973
One million tonnes
nickel packed, 2014
Yabulu nickel plant
construction, 1973
Double 2200 DEL nickel ore
train through the tunnel, 1974
31The Mining Advocate | July 2014 Queensland Nickel feature
Training offi cer Doug Warrington looks over a training manual in his offi ce at
the Queensland Nickel refi nery north of Townsville.
Search on for more feed stock
Doug Warrington can lay claim to being the Yabulu nickel refi nery’s “I’ve Been Everywhere Man” - a line made famous by Australian singer Lucky Starr. A veteran of 34 years with Queensland Nickel, 54-year-old Mr Warrington was a butcher by trade when he started work at the refi nery.
He began his career as a utility man and has since worked in most areas associated with the refi ning of nickel, which has culminated in his latest position as a training offi cer.
Th e keen greyhound racing enthusiast, who has a team of 25 racers in Townsville and “good one” racing in Brisbane, stopped work at the refi nery only hours after he started.
“I arrived on job and spent a couple of hours doing my induction before heading out to work only to be told by the workers that we were on strike 30 minutes later,” he said.
But that was a minor glitch in his association with the refi nery.
“I have enjoyed every day
QN’s voice of experience
Queensland Nickel will embark on a massive fuel conversion project in 2015 switching much of the plant’s operation to coal seam gas (CSG) and coal instead of fuel oil.
Th e refi nery’s director of operations manager, Peter Cream, said the project had the potential to nearly halve the annual fuel bill of $110 million when complete.
Capital expenditure for 2014/15 includes $15 million to convert the refi nery’s paddle mixer to metallurgical coal.
Chief fi nancial offi cer Daren Wolf said the challenge facing the team tasked with the project was coming up with the most eff ective method of delivering the coal to the top of the refi nery’s 10-storey roasters.
Th e conversion actually began 12 months ago with conversion of one of the refi nery’s 12 roasters to CSG.
A total of $11 million has been spent on installing new burners and the associated control system.
Mr Cream said converting the remaining roasters to CSG would take about two and a half years to complete.
He said fuel oil was the single biggest ongoing energy cost for the refi nery.
“Th e plan is to run the gas-fi red roaster for a month or two to see what the recovery rate is like,” Mr Cream said.
Th e refi nery already has a gas pipeline running into the plant.
Fuel conversion project to save millions of dollars
The simple way to cut costs is reduce the head count of a business, and with a $90 million wages bill every year at the Queensland Nickel refi nery and port operations that would seem a logical place for the number crunchers to focus.
Th is was never an option for owner Clive Palmer and managing director operations Ian Ferguson, who looked elsewhere to more creative solutions that not only save money but create ongoing effi ciencies.
Th e refi nery’s Cell Th ree (tailings dam) wall is being raised by 5m to withstand a one-in-100-year storm event and is costing about $10 million.
Instead of outsourcing much of the work to contractors, senior management has opted to in-source the project and also purchase equipment needed to undertake the job.
won’t be any disruption of ore feed to the refi nery.”
Cell One’s retaining wall will be raised in 2015 and Mr Brewster is confi dent that project will come in at well below the $10 million being spent on the current project, which also included $4.3 million for the equipment.
Mr Brewster also pointed to a change in methodology used to despatch items from the warehouse, which yielded a windfall of $10.5 million recently.
With more than 300,000 spare parts and material in the warehouse, it can be easy to lose track of items, according to Mr Brewster. He said there was often no way of knowing if the items ordered had been used.
“First we ordered a business-wide recall of unused spare parts and materials, which turned out to be worth $10.5 million,”
he said. “Th en we introduced a requirement that if the item was not used within two weeks it had to be returned.”
With $52 million worth of inventory and a $5 million annual budget, the refi nery and port operations are hungry beasts. Th e procurement team consists of 25 people - seven in the warehouse, four in purchasing, two dealing with contracts, three dealing with heavy fuel oil and chemicals and three based in Beijing tasked with overseeing the fabrication of bespoke equipment and other inventory.
Mr Brewster looked to China for certain products that could be delivered much cheaper than those sourced locally and within Australia. “Th e local prices have become more competitive recently and it is QN’s policy to support local businesses where possible,” he said.
QN procurement manager
Martin Brewster was tasked with
overseeing the implementation
of the project - which will yield
long-term cost savings well after
it is completed in November.
Th e 10 Caterpillar 740
articulated dump trucks (ADTs)
and three Cat 740 articulated
water trucks being used at the
dam site will be assimilated into
the plant’s fl eet of seven Cat 740
ADTs.
“Th e refi nery fl eet is seven years
old. Th ey run seven days a week,
24 hours a day,” Mr Brewster
said. “By having newer vehicles of
the same model in reserve there
Creative solutions come up trumps in cost cutting
Equipment purchased to raise the tailings dam walls.
Queensland Nickel is casting its net ever wider to secure additional sources of feed stock for the refi nery as production continues to improve. Director of operations at the refi nery, Peter Cream, said in 2013/14 a record 25,380 tonnes of nickel compacts were produced through the refi nery`s Line 1 production facility. Total production of all nickel products at the refi nery reached 33,287 tonnes - a few hundred tonne shy of the total nickel site record and a substantial eff ort considering production interruptions due to cyclones in
the fi rst half of this year. “Th e QN team have continued to work towards achieving a fantastic production result in challenging circumstances through FY14,” Mr Cream said. “It was the highest total of nickel compacts to be processed on one line at the plant, so it’s important we have fl exibility in our future feed stock sources.” Mr Cream is overseeing a trial shipment of intermediate mixed hydroxide product (MHP) - a partially refi ned nickel concentrate from the Ramu mine near Madang in Papua New Guinea.
QN receives the bulk of its ore supply through its bulk loading Berth Two facility at the Port of Townsville, but this shipment is arriving in one-tonne bags and will be unloaded at the port in mid-July. “We have had the material tested and the recovery fi gures look promising,” Mr Cream said. “We will further evaluate the labour component of getting the bags off the vessel and into the refi nery.” Th e trial shipment of 18,000 tonnes is scheduled to be run through the refi nery in the fi rst quarter of the new fi nancial year
and Mr Cream said he would have a better idea of the viability of the trial after that. QN’s Brolga mine near Rockhampton, which shipped ore via rail in 2012, is back in operation and stockpiling feed stock. Mr Cream said the mine was located close to the Bruce Highway with rail, road and shipping being studied as transport options. Trials have been conducted on the recovery rate of the ore body along with laboratory analysis to understand what the nickel recovery through the refi nery will be. “So far the trials have been in line with our expectations,” Mr Cream said. It is envisaged that about 60,000 tonnes of nickel will be transported to the refi nery each month if the trials prove successful.
A team of geologists is assaying other areas on the site plus looking at another tenement, Marlborough, on the other side of the Bruce Highway as a future feed stock operation for the refi nery. QN port crews unload up to 82 ships annually at Berth Two, working around the clock every day to load three 40-wagon trains which run a shuttle service to and from the refi nery. Intermediate nickel hydroxide cake (NHC), shipped from Vale in New Caledonia is also being introduced as feedstock to the refi nery. Mr Cream said the grade of nickel within ore delivered to the refi nery was about 1.5 per cent whereas intermediate feedstocks contained 10-20 per cent nickel - making them an attractive proposition.
working at the refi nery, I look forward to each day,” he said, even though he admitted to being a little daunted when he took on his latest position.
“I had some problems with the computer but I had good people who helped me out,” Mr Warrington said.
He is now quite at home with power-point presentations and spreadsheets.
“I suppose I was asked to
do the training job because I had worked in so many areas of production,” the former team leader and relieving shift supervisor said.
He sees his job as much more than simply quoting from training manuals.
“I try to get the culture of how we work in the areas of safety and I try to impart some of the skills I have acquired over the years,” Mr Warrington said.
32 July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateQueensland Nickel feature
Clive Palmer says the performance of the Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refi nery since he acquired the Yabulu plant, outside Townsville, fi ve years ago has been one of the most satisfying of his business career.
Mr Palmer bought Queensland Nickel from BHP Billiton in July, 2009, when the plant was facing closure.
“BHP Billiton was going to shut the plant down which would have been devastating for the 800-strong workforce at the plant and their families,” he said.
“It would also have had catastrophic impact on the city of Townsville and the entire regional economy and we believed the plant had to be saved and we did so with the support of then Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
“In the fi rst two years after we bought the refi nery it went from strength to strength thanks to the dedication of all our staff and management.
“And fi ve years later, the plant is still going strong and supporting thousands of people in the Townsville region, including hundreds of local service
industries. Most importantly, Queensland Nickel creates billions of dollars in exports for the state and national economy.”
Th ere have been a number of historic events at Queensland Nickel during Mr Palmer’s time as owner.
In what was believed to be the greatest giveaway by an Australian employer in the nation’s history, Mr Palmer famously played Santa Claus and rewarded hard-working staff with a Christmas bonanza in 2010.
Mr Palmer provided 50 Mercedes Benz sedans, 700 international holidays and 50 weekend getaways to Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas to his workforce in an amazing festive season gesture.
Staff and their families were also treated to a massive $2 million Christmas party at Reid Park in Townsville.
“Th e prizes were so big because the workforce at Queensland Nickel simply deserved it,” Mr Palmer said.
Th e refi nery has gone on to complete further milestones as it celebrates 40 years of operations
Palmer proud of saving plant
in 2014. Queensland Nickel managing director Clive Mensink said the refi nery this year reached one million tonnes of nickel production since 1974 as well as achieving an annual record
of more than 36,000 tonnes of nickel and cobalt production.
“Th ese are great milestones, not just for Queensland Nickel but for all of the Townsville region and the entire state of
Queensland,” Mr Mensink said.
“Th e milestone reinforces a
commitment that we have to
this country, to this state, and to
this region to ensure the sound
operations of the refi nery.
“Th e trading milestone refl ects
the importance of the Palmer
Nickel and Cobalt Refi nery to the
North Queensland economy, with
the imported ore being the largest
product by both volume and value
processed through the Port of
Townsville.
“Th is milestone is a tribute to
a tremendous legacy of hard-
working men and women, since
the refi nery was commissioned in
1974.
“As circumstances have changed
over the years, these men and
women demonstrated the ability
to adapt for the success of the
refi nery. Th is commitment and
dedication has been passed on
to the current generation of men
and women and puts Queensland
Nickel in good stead not just for
the present but, importantly, for
the future.”
Clive Palmer
is proud of
what he has
achieved since
taking over
Queensland
Nickel in 2009.
Queensland Nickel has moved to silence criticism in the media suggesting that the refi nery at Yabulu is an accident waiting to happen with the potential to endanger the Great Barrier Reef.
Managing director of operations at the refi nery and port, Ian Ferguson, in conjunction with Professor George Lukacs, has assembled an Independent Science Panel (ISP) of eminent scientists from across the country to meet regularly to ensure best practice is in place at the refi nery site at Yabulu, 25km north of Townsville.
Former James Cook University scientist and the immediate past president of the World Wide Society of Wetlands Scientists, Professor Lukacs was appointed as director of environment and sustainability. He was engaged to review QN’s Water Management
Plan. Working with him is a fi ve-strong team of three environmental scientists plus two assistants who number among their regular assignments running checks on a range of monitoring equipment and the collection of water samples and overseeing the tailings dam water balance.
Th e ISP of 12 scientists from as far away as South Australia has met about 10 times since the group was established last year.
Mr Ferguson said no major issues had been identifi ed in that time “as we have been fully compliant”.
“I was disappointed with the media coverage in the wake of Cyclone Ita in April. Reports that sludge had escaped from a tailings dam was just lies,” he said.
“About 10mm of water did go over the spillway of Cell
Th ree (tailings dam) but it was
captured within our on-site
management plan and no non-
compliant water escaped to the
sea.”
Mr Ferguson said a
representative of the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority and the State
Government’s Department of
Environment sat as ex-offi cio
members of the ISP.
He said QN had acted on a
number of recommendations
from the ISP. Th ese included
broadening the initial ISP
membership to include
additional expertise (such as
water treatment technology,
aquatic toxicology and wetland
hydrology), enhancing the site
water balance capabilities and
creating a Queensland Nickel
site water management plan.
Like any manufacturing business, quality control is everything. Get it wrong and you are out of business.
Queensland Nickel is no diff erent, with a team of 24 chemists and technicians manning the quality assurance laboratory 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Th eir collective role is focused on three key pillars - quality, quantity and cost.
Chemist and development leader John Fittock said quality assurance team members tested various ore bodies for
potential returns, tweaked the precipitation kettle (vessel) during the refi ning process and prepared data for other experts on the staff to use for making business decisions.
Mr Fittock has worked for QN for 32 years and is also involved in a major project associated with switching the refi nery’s roasters to coal seam gas (CSG) from fuel oil.
“Th ere has been a pilot project going on for the past 12 months on one of the roasters,” he said.
“During that period laboratory tests have been undertaken to
check the eff ectiveness of the CSG process.”
QN is also a signifi cant producer of cobalt powder used widely in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries which power many portable electronic devices, including mobile phones.
Cheryl Lucas is also a chemist by profession and is the manager of technical marketing.
Ms Lucas works closely with the refi nery’s marketing staff and clients to ensure products like cobalt meet very specifi c parameters.
Panel ensures best practice
Lab team crucial to business success“Refi ned cobalt is in a powder
form and clients using the product often want the powder grains at a particular size,” she said.
“Refi ned cobalt powder grains are typically under 50 microns.”
Cobalt powder is sold in 500kg bags and fetches about $US29,000 per tonne.
Ms Lucas said about 85 per cent of what was produced at
the refi nery went into electronic products but it also had applications in ceramics and paint.
“Th e electronics market direction at the moment is high-voltage cathode material and my role is to work with clients to produce a product that satisfi es their requirements,” she said.
“Th e analytical process is very important.”
John Fittock and Cheryl Lucas in the QN laboratory. Photro: Allison Bessell
July 2014 | The Mining AdvocateREGIONAL ROUND-UP
Mount Isa A bold vision for north-west Queensland could mean thousands of new jobs created and thousands more people moving to the region, Premier Campbell Newman said.
Mr Newman recently launched the North West Queensland Strategic Development Study, which identifi ed key local industry development opportunities and infrastructure priorities to further unlock the region’s economic potential.
Th e study, led by Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ), identifi ed four key strategic development priorities including new mine exploration and development; irrigated and intensifi ed agriculture; energy generation, security and export; and supply chain productivity, effi ciency, and reliability.
Th e North West Star said the study named a deep water access channel at Karumba as one step towards an optimum north-south transport link to Asian regions. Th ere was also a recommendation to make Mount Isa an international airport.
Cloncurry Mayor Andrew Daniels told the newspaper the “Asian Century” may have to wait till next century, because it would take that long for the North West to have water security and aff ordable energy.
Cairns Th e developers of the proposed $8.15 billion Aquis resort at Yorkeys Knob predict that the
two casinos and other facilities it brings will inject more than $52 billion into the region’s
economy over 15 years.
Th e Cairns Post reported the projected economic benefi ts as an Environmental Impact
Statement was released for public comment recently.
Th e Aquis development proposal includes 7500 hotel rooms, a convention and exhibition
centre and entertainment facilities including waterways, a golf course and sports centre.
Th e resort would be developed on a 343ha site about 13km north of Cairns, most of which
is currently used for growing sugar cane.
Th e Queensland Co-ordinator-General is conducting a single assessment on behalf of the
State and Federal governments, with consultation running until August 5.
Townsville A future fund to pay for infrastructure crucial to the development of northern Australia was among the ideas fl oated at the recent Northern Development Summit in Townsville.
Former Northern Territory chief minister Paul Henderson said there needed to be an independent authority set up to pursue the northern development agenda without being held back by political cycles, the Townsville Bulletin reported.
“We need an independent monetary authority, some entity with real teeth … and it will take courage for governments to commit to this,” he said.
World Bank senior economist Douglas Zeng told the summit – hosted by independent think tank ADC Forum - that a special economic zone in
northern Australia could be set up to overcome disadvantages like high labour costs and a rigid regulatory environment.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill described the summit as the biggest forum of its type to come to the city and said it had attracted interest from around Australia and internationally.
Sunshine CoastA long-running battle over a planned quarry at Yandina
Creek Rd has culminated with a court ruling in favour
of quarry operator Parklands Blue Metals on appeal,
Quarry magazine reported.
Th e Planning and Environment Court of
Queensland decision came fi ve years after the
development application was put to the local
council and refused, the magazine said.
Th e local community had raised
$200,000 to back Sunshine Coast
Council’s decision to refuse the
quarry development and members
were left devastated when the
planning court ruled in favour
of the developer, the Sunshine
Coast Daily reported.
During a two-year period,
residents had rallied to the
Yandina Creek Progress
Association’s No Blasted
Quarry campaign, the
newspaper said.
Quarry magazine said the Yandina
Creek Rd quarry would have an output of 350,000 tonnes
per annum, with a maximum permitted output of
500,000 tonnes per annum in times of peak demand, and
was expected to have a life of about 40 years.
ToowoombaToowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) research shows 6500-10,000 jobs will be created
during the fi rst three years of the completion of the Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba Second Range
Crossing and QIC shopping centre redevelopment.
A report commissioned by TSBE showed the Second Range Crossing would create an annual
increase of 2356-6862 fulltime jobs, while the Wellcamp Airport would create more than 3100 full-
time jobs within the region and the QIC redevelopment would bring 1000 retails jobs once completed.
TSBE chief executive offi cer Shane Charles said with such large infrastructure came great
opportunity, with even further growth expected if other major projects, such as the Melbourne to
Brisbane Inland Rail Project and New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3, got off the ground.
“Toowoomba is fi nally coming of age and we are going to see some major growth within the next
few years,” Mr Charles said.
However, Th e Chronicle highlighted concerns that local housing stocks would be stretched by the
region’s expected jobs boom.
MontoCanadian company Melior Resources plans to reopen
the Goondicum ilmenite mine, creating about 50 jobs,
after buying out owner Belridge Enterprises.
ABC News reported that the purchase included an
agreement to spend $15 million to restart the mine in
exchange for shares.
Th e Goondicum mine closed last year, with the loss
of 35 jobs, due to falling prices for ilmenite - a mineral
used in products including paint and plastics as well as
industrial applications such as blast furnace lining.
North Burnett Mayor Don Waugh told the Central Telegraph that news
of the Melior Resources plans was a boost for the town of Monto.
Cr Waugh also hoped the company would go ahead with the
construction of a new road that would reduce the drive to Gladstone port
by more than half.
Newly appointed chief executive offi cer of Melior Resources - Mark
McCauley, who was the ilmenite mine’s managing director under Belridge, said the
board would have to ensure the operation would be fi nancially viable before making
a fi nal decision on reopening.
DalbyFormer billionaire Nathan Tinkler has hit the coal comeback trail with the
$150 million purchase of Wilkie Creek mine.
Th e Courier Mail reported that Mr Tinkler said he would like to re-employ
the 200 people who lost their jobs when Peabody closed the mine in December.
Mr Tinkler - dubbed the bogainaire businessman - has been recently forced
to sell off investments in coal companies and his horseracing property Patinack
Farm to pay debts.
Th e Australian Financial Review quoted a coal industry executive, who had
investigated buying Wilkie Creek, as saying that if Peabody had been unable
to make the mine work fi nancially two years ago when thermal coal was selling
at $US100 a tonne, it would be even more diffi cult for Mr Tinkler with prices
around $US70.
But Mr Tinkler told the Financial Times that now - with thermal coal prices
having halved in three years – was the time to invest the commodity.
Morningstar analyst Matthew Hodge told Th e Courier-Mail the former pit
electrician was merely doing what he had always done – taking a punt.
MackayTh e Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation has shut
up shop as the Mackay Regional Council prepares to take a more proactive role on
the city’s economic future, the Daily Mercury reported.
REDC board chairman Jeff Stewart-Harris told the newspaper the board
decision was made because the new fi nancial year would bring a renewed focus on
economic development opportunities for Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday as a result
of the signifi cant economic shift in the past 18 months.
Mr Stewart-Harris said the new model of economic development from July 1
would include stronger collaboration between the regional economic development
network and locally based industry groups such as the Chamber of Commerce,
Mackay Area Industry Network (MAIN) and the Department of State
Development, Infrastructure and Planning, and focus on new opportunities that
came from the Diversify Mackay forum.
Drive up productivity with Tait Voice and DataBe heard, stay safe, remain connected, improve productivity.
Reliable radio communications are critical for the safety and productivity required for continuous mining
operations. Tait DMR Tier 3 offers incredible value, capable of transmitting both voice and data in a
cost-effective and highly reliable way, including personal location services and workforce management.
Together with our Tait Solution Partners and Resellers across the globe, we are experienced and
focussed on best practice, local support, open standards multivendor compatibility, and minimum
impact migration plans. We have a range of radio communications systems to fit any situation, including
P25 and analogue systems.
Learn more at www.taitradio.com/mining
