The 2020 Queensland Mining Awards – the mining industry’s night of nights

Gas Field Services was named the Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year for 2020, at a sold-out black-tie gala held in Mackay in September. The 2020 Queensland Mining Awards, recognising the state’s hardestworking contractors, suppliers and producers, culminated in the eagerly anticipated gala presentation dinner.

Gas Field Services were named the winner in the Safety Initiative Award and were also strong contenders in the Productivity category for their 4C Wireline drilling technique. Judges felt that, for a small company, Gas Field Services’ clear focus on investing in innovation makes a major impact in moving exploration methodology forward. The major industry accolade was presented in front of industry heavyweights and keynote speakers including Tyler Mitchelson, CEO, Anglo American Metallurgical Coal, Ian Macfarlane, Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council, and the Hon. Keith Pitt MP, Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia. Minister Pitt had nothing but praise for the finalists and winners of the evening, saying it was important this year more than ever to celebrate the companies that contribute so strongly to keeping Queensland’s economy running. The Queensland Mining Awards were co-hosted by the Bowen Basin Mining Club and the Queensland Resources Council, recognising contractors, suppliers and producers across nine peer-judged categories. The 29 finalist entries displayed the true diversity of the industry, representing the full spectrum of major contractors and producers, right down to one-man businesses. Creative solutions to industry problems showcased skills in mathematics, engineering, environmental, human resources, procurement and manufacturing. Bowen Basin Mining Club Director Jodie Currie was thrilled with how the event came together, showing that celebration is still in vogue, and can be safely accomplished in a COVID-19 safe environment. “Tonight, we saw a celebration of the Queensland mining industry, one that was particularly sweet given the extraordinary circumstances we’ve seen this year. In two years, we look forward to once again partnering with Reed Exhibitions to host the 2022 Awards alongside the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition in Mackay.” “Gas Field Services’ win tonight is truly representative of the resilience and creativity found across the sector, come what may,” said Ms Currie. The 2020 Awards were made possible by industry supporters and sponsors including QME, Mackay Regional Council, METS Ignited, Anglo American and BHP.

Greyhound Innovation (METS) Award

The most original and ground-breaking approach to a project, including any new concept, technology and/or innovative process that was instrumental in increasing operational efficiency or improving project delivery.

Winner Universal Field Robots | Imdex

Increased drill & blast safety, productivity & reduced risk Together, Universal Field Robots and IMDEX conquered the challenge of logging blast holes while removing operators from harm’s way. The IMDEX BLASTDOG™ solution moved from concept to prototype in just four months, providing geological data and enhancing productivity. This was a hotly debated category, with judges looking at all five finalists as addressing the industry’s big issues. Judge Sharna Glover said, "A great innovation that shows the power of partnering. A robotics platform that is able to be exported makes a very commendable entry."

Finalists

Emesent

Hovermap: mapping the inaccessible Hovermap uses LiDAR to accurately, quickly and safely map any space in real time, with handheld or drone delivery. Using Hovermap, mines have significantly increased safety, with overall reduced costs and production delays.

Polymathian

Transforming Mining Value Chains Polymathian’s ‘Bolt’ product solves problems across the value chain, considering all components and system impacts through industrial mathematics. Using Bolt, the mine improved margins by ten percent, and decreased planning effort by at least ten times.

Redeye Apps

Optimising O&M Inspections Redeye created a virtual model to mirror two draglines, simplifying complex dragline maintenance data management. The digital twin allows planners and onsite engineers to see component history and capture live maintenance data.

Sedgman

SMART Condition Monitoring The SMART plant provides solutions that optimise Sedgman’s minerals processing operations. Using affordable new sensor technology and cloud-based platforms, Sedgman integrated several intelligent systems to produce live data streams.

JCB CEA Innovation (Miner) Award

The most original and ground-breaking approach to a project, including any new concept, technology and/or innovative process that was instrumental in increasing operational efficiency or improving project delivery.

Finalists Anglo American

World’s first Group 1 Intrinsically safe underground tablet Anglo American successfully developed and launched the only Group 1 electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground mining globally. This allows for real-time communication and recordkeeping underground.

Winner Anglo American

World’s first remote multi-pass drill The Anglo American (Dawson) team produced the first known rotary blasthole drill rig to complete multi-pass operations remotely. This removes operators from the field, with strong safety outcomes. Judge Andrew Wilson said, “This initiative showed great ingenuity, and really challenges the status quo for the exploration industry.’

Environmental monitoring made easy

Call +61 7 3237 8111 or visit texcel.com.au

Sonic Healthplus Safety Initiative Award

The most outstanding initiative to make safety a priority on site, including continuous improvement and full integration into a project/initiative, with real results able to be demonstrated.

Winner Gas Field Services

Hands Free Drilling – The Way of the Future Gas Field Services introduced the LF-160 Drill Rig and Freedom Loader. This solution drastically reduces manual handling and increases safety-critical functions with handsfree drilling. Judge Chris Mijnssen said, “Eliminating manual handling is a great step forward to reduce high numbers of injuries and incidents.”

Finalists Mastermyne

Brain Science Mastermyne created the Brain Science Project to engage staff in understanding how behaviour and emotion impacts safety, productivity and culture. There has been a notable reduction in safety incidents, as well as increased training benefits.

Waterline Projects

3D Printing for Familiarisation Waterline Projects created a safety training model with the help of 3D printing. This allows employee familiarisation with hazards while reducing safety risks on site.

Glencore Productivity Award

Aproject completed through an innovation or new process which resulted in a significant time and/or cost-saving solution for the client.

Winner

Polymathian

Maximising NPV with industrial mathematics Polymathian used their ORB mathematical solution to optimise mine planning for a client, condensing the planning process from weeks to just 12 hours. The client saw a 35% increase to NPV, with superior productivity outcomes. Judge Peter Kane said, “Applying cutting edge industrial mathematics to complex mine planning situations saves time and money, and Polymathian is now a major part of the intelligent mines of the future.”

Finalists Gas Field Services

4C Wireline – the new drilling technique Gas Field Services implemented the 4C Wireline Coring system to complement their LF-160 handsfree drilling rig. This decreased rod hole trips by 70%, increasing production by 15 holes a year and saving just under 3 shifts.

Vayeron

Intrinsically Safe Wireless Longwall Inclinometer Vayeron produced a wireless, plug and play sensor to replace expensive, permanently wired longwall inclinometers. The Vayeron sensor costs around $300 per device, rather than $1700.

SMW Group Staff / Community Award

The most outstanding community or internal consultation and engagement project OR the most outstanding initiative to promote equal opportunity (whether indigenous, women in mining or a community initiative).

Winner New Oakleigh Coal

Jeebropilly Mine Closure – ‘Finishing Well’ The Finishing Well program aimed to retain employees with a positive safety and productivity culture in the months leading up to the Jeebropilly mine’s closure. Staff retention through the 2-year program was 98.9%. Judge Dan Reynolds said: “A great program to transition employees through closure, whilst maintaining safe production and setting employees up for life.”

Finalists Anglo American

LIVE online concert series Anglo American created a series of online streamed private concerts for employees, contractors, stakeholders, traditional owner groups and their families. This helped decrease staff isolation throughout COVID-19 restrictions.

Hastings Deering

Together As One Hastings Deering pioneered the ‘Together as One’ program, fostering cultural change throughout their 3,500 strong workforce. The program has resulted in more than 3000 employee experiences and over 15,000 website impressions.

SMW Group EEO Award

The most outstanding initiative to promote equal opportunity (whether indigenous, women in mining or a community initiative).

Winner Byerwen Coal

Yila Yina Mundu (Turn Around from Here) Program This collaborative effort built on the Thida Bullaroo (Step By Step) program, expanding QCoal’s Indigenous participation strategy. 24 new-to-industry roles were created, with fulltime employment offered following completion of training. This increased Indigenous participation rates at Byerwen to over 12%. Judge Dan Reynolds said, “A positive initiative bringing the traditional owner, contractor, and mine owner together to promote Indigenous employment".

Finalist Anglo American

Balancing the Team Program – female-only underground trainee intake Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine took a different approach to recruitment and training to drive inclusion and diversity. Eight entry-level trainee underground miner roles were created, with no experience necessary. Trainees will complete a Cert II in underground coal mining and gain hands-on experience.

QME Best Product Launch Award

The most innovative product launched during May 2018- April 2020.

Winner BIS

Razor: proprietary underground grader BIS realised that innovation was sorely needed to fix inefficient, underpowered machinery that lacked reliability. Razor - developed, designed and manufactured in Australia - delivers over 30% increased tractive effort, improved braking and most importantly, improved safety. Judge Peter Kane said, “The BIS Razor was designed with miners, for miners and exhibits long awaited improvements in safety, efficiency, power and ergonomics. Great to see the conversion from the design board to the coal face.”

Finalists Ava Risk Group

Aura IQ – Conveyor Health Monitoring Mining3 and Ava Risk Group collaborated to deliver a game-changing predictive conveyor monitoring system. Aura IQ is intrinsically safe and virtually maintenance-free, meaning the solution can be used underground as well as on the surface.

Skopit

Structural steel clamping system The Skopit system instantly eliminates hot welding work to structural steel in and around coal and mineral processing facilities. The clamp maintains steelwork integrity, is reusable and takes just minutes to install on any size beam or column.

SMW Group

The Ultralift – collaborative commercialisation SMW Group solved a major logistical and safety problem by creating the Ultralift, a remotely operated mobile straddle carrier. Eliminating complex slewing crane lifts saves around $15,000 every time the Ultralift is used.

McLanahan Environment Award

The most innovative approach to environmental protection or rehabilitation.

Winner KCB Australia

Isaac River Upstream Drop Structure The Isaac River Diversion’s existing drop structure failed repeatedly under flood conditions. KCB Australia’s new design’s modelling predicts enhanced energy dissipation, improved flow stability and prevention of scour upstream. Judge Darren Oliver said, “An innovative engineering solution that met a clear need for improvement, considering the environment it needs to work in. This looks like it will achieve a much better result than the current solution.”

Finalists Mining3

Alternative Explosives Mining3 are testing alternative explosive formulations, eliminating the nitrogen component and replacing it with hydrogen peroxide. This has the potential for a zero harmful fume scenario, also lowering risks to the environment, safety and productivity.

New Century Resources

Economic Rehabilitation

Economic rehabilitation involves recovering about 77 million tonnes of mineralised waste from tailings storage for reprocessing and sale, funding the future rehabilitation of the rest of the Century mine. Since commencing, 10% of the tailings have been reprocessed, and long-term monitoring data is shaping up to be world-class.

WE MAKE IT HAPPEN

Land your cargo closer to the Central Queensland Market and reduce your supply chain costs.

Höegh Autoliners offers North American and European customers the closest entry port to the Central Queensland market with its direct monthly service to Mackay.

With extensive experience in transporting mining equipment for some of the world’s most recognised manufacturers, we know what we're doing, and we do it well.

Seaway Agencies Pty Ltd as agents on behalf of Höegh Autoliners Contact: Nicola Murray | QLD - Sales Manager Email: nicola.murray@seaway.com.au - Telephone: +61 (0)4 3898 0259

www.hoeghautoliners.com

METS Ignited Collaboration Award

The most outstanding collaborative effort between producers and contractors/suppliers, delivering results and enhancing cost-saving, timesaving and/or innovative outcomes.

Winner Ava Risk Group | Mining3

Innovation Through Collaboration Mining3 and Ava Risk Group collaborated to deliver a gamechanging predictive conveyor monitoring system. Within 10 months, the team produced the Aura IQ, an innovative, low cost and flexible maintenance solution that uses fibre optics, signal processing algorithms and data analytics. Judge Sharna Glover said, “This entry showed strong work over an extended period, with cross-industry collaboration.”

Finalists Mitchell Services | Anglo American

Underground Coal Gas Drainage Drill Rig Mitchell Services’ most recent innovation in drilling solutions is the CX1500 CoalXplorer underground coal UIS drill rig. The rig delivers enhanced data capture of the geological environment. In trials on Anglo American sites, this showed potential to help improve safety and productivity of gas drainage through enhanced geological data capture.

Unearthed Solutions | BHP

‘Fast Track’ Challenge’ In 2019, BHP partnered with Unearthed to run a global online crowd sourcing competition to improve their site access experience. 27 companies presented solutions, and 7 shortlisted entries worked directly with BHP’s team for evaluation. ComplyFlow provided the winning solution.

Universal Field Robots | IMDEX

Drill and blast safety Universal Field Robots and IMDEX conquered the challenge of logging blast holes, while removing operators from harm’s way. The IMDEX BLASTDOG™ solution moved from concept to prototype in just four months, providing geological data and enhancing productivity.

Bowen Basin Mining Club Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year

This award is selected from category finalists and winners, for excellence in safety, productivity and innovation displayed across multiple categories.

Winner Gas Field Services

The judging panel agreed that Gas Field Services clearly demonstrated strong innovation and a willingness to collaborate with OEMs to solve persistent industry issues. Their solutions were collaborative, innovative and had a strong safety element. “Gas Field Services is having a major impact on the way we think about exploration, innovation and technology in our industry.” - Dan Reynolds “We’re happy to award someone in the exploration space, particularly a small company looking to make a big impact.”- Andrew Wilson “We applaud the foresight and investment by Gas Field Services as a contractor to introduce significant technology to the Australian market.” - Darren Oliver 