August 2008 by The Mining Advocate

Supporting mining and industry in northern Australia

The

August 2008

n r E e Insid

nr e H t es

MINING

$2.75 inc GST where sold

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Industry grapples with carbon change THIS MONTH • Darwin looks forward to LNG boom • Help for NT explorers on new ground • Plans drawn for rugby league battle • Walking from Karumba to Townsville

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The Mining Advocate | August 2008

The

MINING August 2008

2 Not easy being green

(COVER STORY )

The Federal Government recently released a green paper outlining its proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), due to begin in 2010. In many instances, but not all, the paper adopted recommendations made by Dr Ross Garnaut (pictured on this month’s cover) in his draft report on climate change. The emerging CPRS has met with a mixed reaction from the north Australian mining industry. Some representative organisations have oﬀered cautious support for the scheme but are determined to ensure that the right measures are in place to protect trade-exposed heavy industry. Other individuals have questioned the need to have a CPRS at all, citing perceived scientiﬁc uncertainty about whether human activity causes global warming.

7 LNG outlook bright for Darwin The world is running out of oil and that’s good news for Darwin, according to business analyst Peter Strachan. Mr Strachan, who spoke at the recent South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference (SEAAOC), said Darwin was well placed to service the onshore and offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, which was booming as the world looked to lessen its dependence on oil. He said governments in Australia had created a positive investment environment and it was now up to individual companies to capitalise on LNG opportunities. SEAAOC, hosted in Darwin, featured numerous government and gas company speakers over two days.

9 Cash incentive for explorers

Delegates discuss the exhibits at SEAAOC 2008 in Darwin (Reports on Pages 6-7) Photo: Christopher Knight.

FEATURES 11 People

The Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines is offering up to 50 per cent funding for greenfields exploration projects under a new collaborative drilling program. It hopes to encourage more exploration companies to leave the relatively safe confines of the Territory’s brownfields to look for new areas of mineralisation.

12 Industry Update A comprehensive wrap of exploration and operations in North Queensland and the Northern Territory.

9 Gearing up to do battle

16 Between Shifts

North Queensland miners are training hard during their down time for the upcoming rugby league tournament, the Battle of the Mines. The OZ Minerals Century Chariots are especially looking forward to a hit out against their arch rivals from BHP Billiton Cannington mine.

20 Ernest Henry

26 Tramping down from the Gulf

25 Rec ‘n Tech 26 Lifestyle

A group of OZ Minerals Century Mine employees recently walked from Karumba to Townsville to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation.“Trek” is a novel fundraising event much anticipated by participants. Veteran Trekker Bernadette Murphy shares the ups and downs of this year’s hike in our Lifestyle section.

28 Education 2009

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Climate science questioned A Citigold executive argues Federal Government decisions on carbon emissions have been based on dubious grounds, writes Michael Stevens. A review of climate change science should have been conducted before the Federal Government began work on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), says an experienced North Queensland mining figure. Citigold chief operating officer Chris Towsey said diesel, electricity and freight costs would increase for mining operations under the scheme, but scientific opinion did not necessarily support the need for a carbon trading regime. “There is a lot of evidence, a lot of science, which questions whether humans are responsible for climate change,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be sensible if, when making a decision, we got all of the relevant facts before we started? I don’t believe that has been done (in the process of moving towards the CPRS).”

Mr Towsey said the world had gone through periodic climate change and climate-changing events historically, and removing carbon dioxide from the environment without knowing its consequences posed a real risk of harmful environmental change. He said introduction of the CPRS was similar to other questionable schemes Australia had undertaken in the past to deal with environmental issues. “It’s cane toad science,” Mr Towsey said. “Carbon is not a pollutant; it is a naturally occurring gas vital to our lifestyle - it provides food for plants.” Mr Towsey questioned Professor Ross Garnaut’s opinion that the majority of the world’s scientists supported carbon reduction measures, stating that the opposing faction

CORRECTION In the July edition of The Mining Advocate (Page 40) it was incorrectly reported that BHP Billiton Cannington took out honours in the endurance/ ﬁtness category of the 2008 Queensland Mine Rescue Challenge. The event was awarded to the Xstrata Ernest Henry team. We apologise for the error.

capable of servicing industry. Townsville is a major refining centre, with the Sun Metals zinc refinery - Queensland’s second biggest electricity consumer, Xstrata Copper Refineries and the BHP Yabulu plant based in the city. Development organisation Townsville Enterprise advocates construction of a gas-fired base-load power station with a transmission connection to Mount Isa to help alleviate high electricity prices and power shortages in Townsville and the North West Minerals Province. Mr Davis said gas power generation was far preferable to the clean coal initiatives favoured by some in the industry. “Since the last time oil prices went through the roof, there has been talk of cleaner coal technology, but here we are three and a half decades later and we’re still no further forward,” he said. “It is too expensive, it takes too long and frankly there are better ways to invest public money and get more immediate results than throwing money into ‘black hole’ technology.” He said Australia had enough gas reserves to start reducing its reliance on coal-fired power generation. Mr Davis said the Federal Government’s green paper on

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

In a nutshell • The CPRS will be a “cap and trade” scheme. It will set an overall cap on the amount of carbon that can be produced by industry and will issue a set number of permits for carbon production. Entities will be allowed to trade permits, thereby putting a price on carbon. If an entity can reduce carbon pollution more cheaply than the prevailing market price of permits, it will choose to reduce carbon pollution rather than buy permits. • The scheme will cover stationary energy, transport, industrial processes and fugitive emissions (which include emissions from the bulk handling and processing of raw materials). • The Federal Government will establish the Climate Change Action Fund to provide in-partnership funding for innovative low emissions processes and industrial energy eﬃciency projects. The Government proposes to settle funding arrangements in the ﬁnal design decisions for the scheme.

Chris Towsey Citigold chief operating officer

was signiﬁcant but not as vocal. He said the big winners from the CPRS would be market traders. “Classing carbon as a pollutant and minimising emissions doesn’t do anything to lessen damage to the environment, it simply puts money in the pockets of the ﬁnancial sector,” Mr Towsey said.

Case mounting for gas Gas-fired electricity could be the solution for refining operations hit hard by a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), according to a Townsville sustainability expert. Mark Davis, a senior sustainability consultant at Maunsell Townsville, said refineries would be heavily impacted under the CPRS because Australia continued to use cheap, outdated and emissions-intensive coalfired technology to generate electricity. He said development of the CPRS provided yet another compelling reason to build a secure and relatively clean gasfired power station in Townsville,

The Mining Advocate

the CPRS clearly enunciated how the scheme would be rolled out, and he supported the provision of free permits to emissions-intensive, tradeexposed (EITE) industries to help them with the transition from unconstrained carbon emissions.

• Limited direct assistance to existing coal-ﬁred electricity generators will be provided.

Free permits for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed (EITE) industries • Rationale: if assistance was not provided, EITE ﬁrms could choose to leave Australia or avoid expanding their businesses following introduction of the CPRS. • The Federal Government proposes to provide free permits for a high proportion of the emissions of the most emissions-intensive activities while providing signiﬁcant, but lower, levels of assistance for activities that are moderately emissions intensive. • Up to 30 per cent of Australian carbon pollution permits would be freely allocated to EITE activities when the scheme starts. • The rate of assistance per unit of baseline emissions would be reduced over time. • Assistance is to be provided until 2020 unless broadly comparable carbon constraints are introduced in other countries.

Proposal misses the mark Metallica Minerals managing director Andrew Gillies is worried that the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will divert attention away from the real causes of environmental damage. Mr Gillies said the two main issues aﬀecting the world’s environment were population growth and habitat destruction. He said the CPRS was simply a political, revenue-geared policy that would lead to little or negligible net gain to the environment and would not aﬀect the human impact on global climate. Mr Gillies said he supported a recent statement from the Carbon Sense Coalition, which argued that chilling pictures and doomsday comments about “Asian pollution” and “Beijing

Andrew Gillies Metallica Minerals managing director

smog” during coverage of the Olympic Games would help the media and political scaremongers sell “dud products” like the CPRS.

Viv Forbes, chairman of the voluntary lobby group, said Asia’s visible pollution was largely caused by the inefficient open air combustion of low-quality fuels, which could release real pollutants into the atmosphere such as sulphur, chlorine, nitrogen, fluorine and metals. Mr Forbes said using modern coal-fired power stations to generate electricity had helped western societies eradicate this type of pollution. Mr Gillies said nuclear power should also be considered as an alternative source of electricity generation to operate alongside coal-fired power stations. Metallica Minerals is currently developing the Lucky Break and NORNICO nickel projects in North Queensland.

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The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Resources council responds to green paper

Give us a break The tyranny of distance and low population density make the NT a special case when it comes to carbon trading, a peak body argues. Mining operations in the Northern Territory should receive special consideration under a national trading scheme for carbon emissions, according to a peak industry organisation. Northern Territory Resources Council chief executive Scott Perkins said that long distances between industry centres and the low population density of the NT meant it was far more exposed to transport emissions than any other state or territory. Electricity prices were also high in the Territory and had the potential to get even higher under an emissions trading scheme, he said. Mr Perkins said special monetary or non-monetary compensation should be oﬀered to companies involved in the Territory mining industry. He was commenting after the Federal Government issued a green paper outlining its

proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, due to begin in 2010. The green paper was a response to Professor Ross Garnaut’s draft report on climate change, which argued that such a scheme, in operation with similar regional and global schemes, would contribute towards mitigating the risks of dangerous climate change. Mr Perkins said the green paper’s proposal to give some free permits to emissionsintensive, trade-exposed (EITE) industries (see Page 2) was important to the NT. With the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in its early stages, he said the Northern Territory Resources Council expected to be involved in intelligently solving anomalies during the consultation process. Reactions from other bodies representing the north

Australian mining industry have been mixed: • The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) believes the green paper’s support for investment in carbon capture and storage technology is undermined by a lack of investment measures, with a pre-existing government commitment to the $500 million National Clean Coal Fund representing only a fraction of the investment prescribed by Garnaut. The QRC has welcomed recognition of the need to assist EITE industries, but believes more work is needed to ensure that the ﬁnal package gets the balance right. • The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) is disappointed the green paper does not provide a more gradual transition to full auctioning of permits, with the European Union not scheduled to move towards full auctioning until about 2020. The MCA emphasised that medium-term reduction targets needed to be realistic to ensure that the scheme succeeded.

The decline under construction at Ernest Henry.

Decision looms Xstrata Copper is likely to make a decision early next year about whether a proposed transition from open pit to underground mining will go ahead at its Ernest Henry operation, near Cloncurry. Ernest Henry Mining general manager Mike Westerman said the decision was planned to co-incide with completion of an underground decline in the ﬁrst quarter of next year. “We need to demonstrate to the board of Xstrata

Copper that the proposed underground operation makes money and meets our own internal hurdle rates, and we also need to demonstrate that investment in Ernest Henry is a better investment than investment (in mines) elsewhere around the world,” he said. Construction of the 3.2km decline began in February after a ﬁve-year prefeasibility study. • More on the Ernest Henry operation and its future plans from Page 20.

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MINING AROUND THE WORLD

Indra Manik’s Loading, Slag Dump Hill at Sorowako, Indonesia.

A photograph from Indonesia has won this year’s Snowden Photo Competition, which attracted 500 entries from across the globe. Indra Manik’s photo was taken at the open pit nickel mine operated by PT Inco on the island of Sulawesi. PT Inco produces nickel in matte (an intermediate product) from lateritic ores

Photo: Courtesy of Snowden

at its integrated mining and processing facilities near the small town of Sorowako. PT Inco signed a contract of work with the Indonesian Government in 1968 and its entire production is sold under longterm contracts for refining in Japan. The Snowden Photo Competition is aimed at showcasing beauty in the mining industry and entries were received this

year from countries including the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Mauritius, Mauritania, India, Bolivia, Chile and the United States of America. World-renowned Australian landscape photographer Richard Woldendorf led a panel of judges in the selection of one overall and three category winners. The final selection of photographs is

New minerals entity starts to make its mark The Century zinc mine in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria is in the process of being rebranded with the OZ Minerals logo (shown right) after the merger of former owner Zinifex and resources company Oxiana. OZ Minerals chief executive oﬃcer Andrew Michelmore said the corporate logo designed for OZ Minerals was an excellent graphic expression that captured the company’s identity and principles.

“The logo draws on the traditional stencil alphabets seen across Australia’s outback which, used traditionally on everyday signage, has a direct, no-nonsense appeal,” he said. “It obviously draws on the achievements of the two companies with the linking of the O and Z, but it also has a

great sense of forward motion, action and growth.” OZ Minerals has ﬁve mining operations in Australia and Asia, three new mining projects in development, and a portfolio of exploration projects throughout Australia, Asia and North America. • The Mining Advocate recently visited Century mine to check out its plans for a vibrant future – see the September edition for full coverage.

being displayed at exhibitions, conferences and events internationally. It will be on show at Brisbane’s Riverside Centre at the end of October. The photos will also feature in upcoming editions of The Mining Advocate. For more information on the Snowden Photo Competition visit www. snowdengroup.com.

Maunsell scholarships Townsville infrastructure and planning ﬁrm Maunsell AECOM has announced a $10,000 per annum scholarship program to assist James Cook University ( JCU) engineering students. Four places are on oﬀer to students who display academic excellence. Each scholarship entitles the student to thesis mentoring, vacation employment and ambassadorial roles with Maunsell AECOM.

The company launched the scholarship program in honour of its former associate director of water infrastructure, Jonathan Harris, who passed away at the end of 2007. Dr Harris valued his strong ties to the university - acting as a full-time and part-time engineering lecturer at JCU between 1986 and 2007. This year’s Maunsell AECOM scholarship applications will close on August 25.

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Gentle nudge towards reform A former State minister turned industry advocate believes the merits of uranium mining should soon win out in Queensland, writes Robert Dark. A key uranium junior is taking a softly, softly approach in opposing the Queensland Government’s current policy against uranium mining. Retired Labor Member for Mount Isa Tony McGrady - a former mines minister among other State Cabinet positions - is a member of Laramide Resources’ advisory board. A wholly owned subsidiary of Laramide Resources Lagoon Creek Resources - is exploring for uranium on the Westmoreland lease in the Gulf region, which Mr McGrady described as one of the three most prospective uranium projects in Queensland. He said Lagoon Creek Resources was taking a low proﬁle in progressing its ultimate goal of uranium mining and was working with the Queensland

Resources Council (QRC) in presenting its argument. “We won’t take governments on and we certainly don’t want to embarrass anyone,” Mr McGrady said. “What we are doing is trying to convince people, people who make decisions, of the merits of allowing uranium mining. “We are not about to get involved in debate about nuclear energy domestically. That’s for governments to determine. “We are miners. We’re about digging the ore out of the ground and exporting it overseas to responsible users.” Mr McGrady said the uranium industry had presented its case to the federal ALP to overturn its three-mines policy and the resolution was carried by a 14-vote majority at the national conference earlier this year.

“We welcome the change of policy from the federal Labor party and you didn’t see us mounting massive campaigns,” Mr McGrady said. “We convinced the party there is merit in our case and they accepted it. “We will continue to advocate the reasons why we believe the State Government should allow the mining of uranium under strict guidelines, and whatever other guidelines governments impose - environment or otherwise - we accept it.” Mr McGrady said he found it ironic that uranium could be mined in the Northern Territory and South Australia, but not in Queensland. “My old-fashioned view is that if uranium mining is wrong, it is wrong, and you can’t have good uranium in South Australia and bad uranium in New South Wales or Queensland or anywhere else,” he said. He was conﬁdent Queensland Government policy would change sooner rather than later.

Ricardo Moffatti, left, with fellow swimmers Ben Austin and Konstantinos Fykas.

Bringing it home Miners throughout northern Australia will have eyes glued to the TV following their shifts this month, with the Beijing Olympic Games set to fire the public’s imagination until August 24. But for BHP Billiton Cannington Mine diesel fitter Frank Moffatti, the real action will begin in September when the Beijing Paralympics take centre stage. Mr Moffatti’s son, 21-year old swimmer Ricardo Moffatti, will participate in his second Paralympics after winning gold and silver at the 2004 games in Athens. “When he was awarded the medals in Athens four years ago, wearing the laurel wreath on his head, it’s lucky I didn’t have a heart attack,” Mr Moffatti said. Mr Moffatti’s personal connection to the Paralympics is complemented by the fact that the Cannington mine, 200km south-east of Mount Isa in North Queensland, supplied the silver used to manufacture the Paralympics gold and silver medals, in addition to the medals for the Olympics. Ricardo Moffatti and the rest of the Australian Paralympic team begin their chase for medals with the opening of the Beijing Paralympics on September 6.

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Green light for pipeline ENI’s Blacktip project has passed another hurdle as it heads towards a planned 2009 start date for gas delivery, writes Michael Stevens. The bulk of the pipeline is in Commonwealth waters administered by the Northern Territory, while the gas field, wellhead platform and a short section of the pipeline are in Commonwealth waters administered by Western Australia. Offshore dredging operations and near-shore and onshore construction work for the Blacktip project have already begun. The offshore and onshore components of the Blacktip project will allow ENI to supply liquefied natural gas from the Blacktip field in the Timor Sea and transport it over land through a 270km pipe stretching from Wadeye to Darwin. The first gas is expected in early 2009.

Construction of an offshore pipeline for ENI’s Blacktip gas project is ready to begin, according to the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines. A spokesman said the department had recently issued “consent to construct” certification for the project’s offshore component. He said offshore pipe laying was scheduled to begin in September and would be substantially complete by mid October, but full installation was dependent on completion of work on and around the wellhead platform at the Blacktip field. The offshore pipeline is a cross-jurisdictional project involving the Northern Territory, West Australian and Commonwealth governments.

Tom Mulcahy, Kim Fyfe and Harry Cheek check out an LNG platform model during an exhibition that was held as part of SEAAOC to allow suppliers to demonstrate their products and services to key industry players. Photo: Christopher Knight

Speakers offer fuel for thought The 14th annual South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference (SEAAOC) offered delegates information about emerging and established gas and petroleum projects as well as exploring regional issues surrounding the industry. Speakers included: INPEX Browse general manager of external affairs Sean Kildare: The company is developing the Ichthys natural gas field in waters north of Broome. Two possible onshore locations are being

considered for an accompanying LNG plant; the Maret Islands (WA) and Middle Arm, Darwin. A ﬁnal investment decision on the project will be made in 2009. Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson: Darwin is fast becoming the region’s primary service and supply base for oﬀshore-onshore petroleum projects. Downstream gas manufacturing has also emerged as a priority for government. The Territory is open for business, but

it is the job of industry to make decisions on investment. Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson: A comprehensive review of Australia’s taxation system – the Henry Review- will assess barriers to investment in largescale downstream gas processing projects, the hurdles faced by remote gas developers and the future policy framework for “sunrise investment” in Australia’s gas sector.

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Stepping on the (natural) gas Peak oil sets the scene for an NT economic boom driven by coal seam methane, a major energy industry forum heard recently. Darwin is set to capitalise on a boom in liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the world is forced to lessen its dependence on oil, analyst Peter Strachan says. Mr Strachan - who writes the national StockAnalysis newsletter - presented an overview of gas exploration and development activities in Australia at the recent South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference (SEAAOC). He told The Mining Advocate that the LNG industry, driven by coal seam methane, was set to boom in response to peak oil. “Coal seam methane has come out of nowhere to show big potential for the country,” he said. “There is only so much oil in the world, and we have used about half. “By 2012, oil production will be falling away, so we need to use it more carefully or find another form of energy.” Northern Territory chief minister Paul Henderson, who also spoke at SEAAOC, recently

stated that the Northern Territory Government’s submission to the Federal Government’s green paper on climate change would call for the LNG industry to be supported at the maximum rate of assistance under an emissions trading scheme. He said development of the LNG industry would be a signiﬁcant opportunity for the Territory as the world turned to cleaner sources of energy. Mr Strachan said companies such as ENI and ConocoPhillips were developing LNG projects in the Timor Sea and renewed interest had recently been shown in onshore coal seam methane in the Northern Territory’s Amadeus Basin, with Central Petroleum exploring gas and oil prospects in the area. He said that outside of exploration companies and producers, a wide range of service businesses in Darwin would beneﬁt from the LNG boom. However, the major

Independent analyst Peter Strachan addresses the SEAAOC conference.

fabrication requirements for the LNG sector would continue to be constructed in Asia and transported to Australia for on-site assembly, with bigger manufacturing facilities and cheaper labour remaining as major overseas drawcards, he said. Local engineering and civil construction companies would

instead beneﬁt from projects such as the manufacture of housing and scaﬀolding. Mr Strachan said the government sector in northern Australia was encouraging the development of gas projects by creating a positive environment and maintaining consistent legislation. “Governments are bending

Photo: Christopher Knight

over backwards, so it’s up to the companies to come along and sow the seeds,” he said. SEAAOC 2008 - which also included an exhibition of industry products and services - was held at the Holiday Inn Esplanade in Darwin by event company IIR Conferences.

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Steady growth for Myuma

Pace perfect Despite the growing acclaim Myuma is earning for its indigenous training program, managing director Colin Saltmere is determined not to expand the organisation at an unsustainable rate. From its base in Camooweal, Myuma offers pre-vocational training and some modules in civil construction and mining to indigenous trainees. The company also undertakes tendered projects such as road construction to give trainees real-life work experiences. It started operating in 2006 as part of the Split Rock Inca Alliance (with the Department of Main Roads and Seymour White Constructions), completing the final stage of the Barkly Highway upgrade. Mr Saltmere said Myuma had gone on to successfully tender for numerous civil construction projects and establish relationships with the region’s biggest mining companies. But the organisation was not getting ahead of itself. “The reason we went with alliancing in the first place

Incitec Pivot training co-ordinator Mal Greer (front row, second from right end) with Myuma trainees he recently took through an industry induction process as part of their work-readiness training.

Colin Saltmere Myuma managing director

was so that we could set up an apprenticeship process for ourselves to learn how the industry works,” he said. “And we didn’t get greedy - we took contracts we could do and each component we worked with taught us something, and we learnt from it.” Myuma trainees spend 13

weeks at a residential camp in Camooweal, with many also undertaking work experience at mining operations in addition to life-skills and vocational training units. Rio Tinto Alcan’s Weipa bauxite operation accepts Myuma trainees for four months’ work experience, with successful trainees going on to undertake ﬁxed-term contracts as mine or plant operators. Incitec Pivot also accepts Myuma trainees for work experience and job projects

at its north-west Queensland operations, and the company recently presented a Myuma crew with a bonus cheque for completing a project with zero injuries. Mr Saltmere said three groups of trainees had passed through the Myuma course so far, with numbers increasing from 10 in the ﬁrst intake to 30 in the most recent course. “We’re not going to take any more trainees than 30, otherwise it starts to turn into a sausage factory and we do not want to

have a sausage factory out here - we’re here to make sure that individual goals, achievements, and aspirations are met,” he said. Mr Saltmere said numerous graduates were now working in the mining industry and the skills they had learnt through Myuma were transportable across sites. Myuma is a not-for-proﬁt company that redistributes its proﬁts to the Rainbow Gateway charity organisation and the Dugalanji Aboriginal Corporation.

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NEWS

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Cash incentive to test new grounds The Northern Territory Government has kicked off a collaborative drilling program to lure more explorers into uncharted territory. Funding is now available to help Northern Territory explorers advance greenďŹ elds projects. The Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines is oďŹ&#x20AC;ering up to 50 per cent funding for greenďŹ elds exploration projects - to a cap of $100,000 - under a new collaborative drilling program. Northern Territory Geological Survey director Ian Scrimgeour said the program speciďŹ cally targeted activity in under-explored regions of the Northern Territory with high potential for new discoveries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is an increasing trend for companies to prefer the low risks of known exploration areas, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to encourage explorers to get out to less-understood regions,â&#x20AC;? Dr Scrimgeour said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A very large area of the Northern Territory is virtually unexplored. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a higher risk involved in greenďŹ elds exploration (compared to brownďŹ elds), but the beneďŹ t of ďŹ nding new mineralisation is that companies will have the opportunity to explore them further and exploit the deposits.â&#x20AC;? He said he expected large discoveries to be made in Territory greenďŹ eld areas in the future and that the collaborative drilling program would signiďŹ cantly advance company exploration programs by reducing initial cost outlay and risk. The $2.4 million program, which will run over the next three years, will assist companies

with projects on their own exploration leases. Information gained from collaborative drilling will be made public three months after a project is completed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even if something is not found (during an exploration project), at least there will be more information in the public domain for other explorers to use,â&#x20AC;? Dr Scrimgeour said. He said similar programs operated in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, but the Northern Territory program was diďŹ&#x20AC;erent because it also incorporated geophysical surveys. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s these types of program that will ensure the Northern Territory gets its share of the growth currently being experienced in the Australian resources sector,â&#x20AC;? he said. The NT collaborative drilling program is part of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bringing Forward Discovery initiative.

Chariots prop forward Keiren Grieves breaks through the defence of the Xstrata Copper Smelter Mongrels at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Battle of the Mines. Photo: Roslyn Budd

Battle lines drawn The Century Chariots are stepping up ďŹ tness training in preparation for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Battle of the Mines rugby league competition on October 18. Last year, the team from Century zinc mine in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria was hoping to make it three championships in a row. But the Xstrata Copper Mine Devils spoiled the trifecta in a hard-fought ďŹ nal. Chariots co-ordinator Jared Naughton said the team had lost a few good players from last year but had gained sound replacements from throughout the Gulf. He said the players would be put through their paces in

regular training sessions over the next couple of months, despite the challenges of diďŹ&#x20AC;ering roster structures for team members. Mr Naughton said the team was focused on simply enjoying the competition rather than extracting revenge for last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disappointment. However, the Chariots were especially looking forward to another hit-out against their arch rivals from BHP Billiton Cannington Mine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a 0-0 draw with them in the semiďŹ nals last year and the year before that we played them in a semi and had to score twice in the last ďŹ ve minutes to get into the ďŹ nal,â&#x20AC;? Mr Naughton said.

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NEWS

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

New entry-level workshops

Joint eﬀort Key industry groups have developed a quarrying products primer program for those keen for a taste of the business. A new quarrying training program has emerged as a result of co-operation between two industry organisations. Cement, Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has long oﬀered training workshops covering various aspects of concrete production and its use in construction. The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) recently worked with the CCAA to complement these workshops with an Introduction to Quarry Products training program. The program is designed for new entrants to the industry and individuals who would like to become more familiar with what quarries do. Product segments covered in the workshops include concrete aggregates, sealing and asphalt aggregates, gabion, mattress, rail ballast, large rock, road bases,

stabilisation, and manufactured sands. A one-day course will be held in Darwin on August 13 and in Brisbane on September 30 and October 1. A four-day advanced course is currently under development. The Introduction to Quarry Products workshops are recognised under the IQA’s professional development program - a series of activities and technical events offered to IQA members and industry personnel who wish to undertake postqualification training in technical, operational, financial, personal, environmental, legal compliance, regulatory and management disciplines. For more information, visit www.quarry.com.au.

The Dawsons Engineering crew works on the Cannington mill project.

‘Have tools, will travel’ is construction crew’s credo Dawsons Engineering workers were applauded for their commitment to safety on a recent project at BHP Billiton Cannington Mine. A six-man construction crew headed out to the operation, 200km south-east of Mount Isa, to complete the demolition and remodelling of the regrind area in its mill. Dawsons Engineering construction estimator Sam Dorahy said the crew came to site with the tooling and

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machinery required and were able to complete the job without incident and ahead of schedule in two weeks. “The job was undertaken in an operating plant so it was essential that the work method and safe work management was watertight,” he said. “Our crew was publicly congratulated on its safety performance, so the guys were rapt.” The construction crew has recently completed other jobs in

COWBOYS CORRAL KIDS WHILE TPHC DRAFT STAFF Families in remote Queensland will continue to receive essential support from Bush Children’s Mount Isa branch after it was saved from closure by the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys. Together with corporate partner TP Human Capital, the Cowboys have donated funding and professional services to keep the health services centre running. The Bush Children’s ofÀce in Mount Isa has experienced difficulties in retaining and attracting skilled staff due to increased competition in the booming local economy and the remoteness of the area.

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Karumba, Cooktown, Emerald, Mission Beach and on Hamilton Island. “We’ve found that the combination of work in town and in remote locations has really kept them interested and using all of their skills,” Mr Dorahy said. “Naturally all the boys put their hands up for the job on Hamilton Island, but they are just as happy to be out west.” Dawsons Engineering is based in Cairns and Townsville.

The centre has provided specialist health and community services for children and families with children to age 13 years to Mount Isa and surrounding communities, including Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond, since 1995. The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, through the Cowboys in the Community program, worked closely with Bush Children’s to develop a practical program of support that would address the operational challenges faced by the non-proÀt organisation. Cowboys CEO Peter Parr said he was delighted that the club had been able to assist Bush Children’s and said he was particularly grateful to corporate partner TP Human Capital for their commitment to keeping this service alive. Under the new partnership, Townsville-

based TP Human Capital will assist in the challenge of resourcing the branch with skilled professionals. TP have donated their specialist recruitment services to Àll four key positions with Bush Kids and will also provide ongoing specialist human resources support. While the efforts now will help the facility to stay open, the Cowboys are looking for other corporate partners to assist in realising longer-term beneÀts and growth. “We’re calling on organisations or businesses that recognise the value of the Bush Children’s program, or perhaps see synergies with their social charter, to join us as a corporate partner,” Mr Parr said. “Bush Children’s is an outstanding program that makes a signiÀcant contribution to the well-being of isolated Queensland communities,” he said. “We’re delighted to be able to contribute to the ongoing operation of the Mount Isa facility, and are particularly grateful to our corporate partner TP Human Capital for their commitment to keeping this service alive.” Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme Cheryl Miller said the pledge of support from the Cowboys and TP Human Capital was the difference between closing the doors after 13 years and remaining a vital service for the region.

PEOPLE

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Right at home in mine role parts of my job. I also open our generic induction two to three times a week. It’s a great opportunity to talk with the diﬀerent people coming into the industry and hear about their experiences.” Ms Wipaki is one of thousands of people to make good in the north-

psychology. Eventually I’d like to move into a more senior role within the company.” When she’s not at work, Ms Wipaki loves nothing more than spending time with her partner, two dogs and cat. She’s also a keen camper

“I am working with other people to make real improvements in safety and health” Safety and health manager Maryann Wipaki. Photo: Ruth Fahey Story: Meredith Papavasiliou

Maryann Wipaki’s heart and soul are in north-west Queensland. So she is very happy in her current role as Xstrata Copper North Queensland Operations safety and health manager. “I was born and bred in

Cloncurry and have lived the last 20 years in Mount Isa,” Ms Wipaki said. “I love this part of the country and my family and friends are here. “I have been working for the company for 13 years in various training, system and safety roles, and in this role I am responsible for safety and health

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INDUSTRY UPDATE

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

Cobalt value sparks rethink The high price of cobalt has changed CuDECO’s plans for its Rocklands copper project, 15km westnorth-west of Cloncurry. Chairman Wayne McCrae said that because the price of cobalt was now about 10 times the price of copper, zones of cobalt mineralisation outside of the copper envelope previously ignored now needed to be included in resource modelling calculations, especially in waste and pit design. He said drilling was continuing on a 700m-by500m zone at the project that encompassed the Le Meridian, Rocklands Central and Southern Rocklands prospects.

Deputy role brings added ﬁrepower to QRC’s top ranks The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has appointed Greg Lane to the newly created position of deputy chief executive. Since joining the peak representative body a little over two years ago as director of education and training, Mr Lane has been involved in developing the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, expanding relationships with the university sector and developing online delivery of QRC material to Queensland teachers and students. He will continue to have skills policy responsibilities in his new role, in addition to strategic policy development responsibilities and high-level representational duties. QRC chief executive Michael Roche said the growth in QRC membership and the range of issues being handled in the past few years meant the time had come to bolster the senior ranks of the organisation. “Greg’s expert grasp of the broad range of issues confronting the resources sector in Queensland made him the ideal candidate for the position of deputy chief executive,” Mr Roche said. Mr Lane joined the QRC from the Queensland Government’s then Department of Employment and Training, where he was a senior executive

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Record production

Ross Glossop is the new chief financial officer for the Paladin group of companies, having replaced Ron Chamberlain. Paladin Energy managing director John Borshoff said Mr Chamberlain resigned under amicable circumstances to pursue other interests. Mr Borshoff said Mr Glossop had more than 25 years’ experience in the resources industry, having held positions in internal audit, treasury and finance, with increasing managerial responsibilities. Paladin Energy is involved in uranium projects including the Valhalla project in North Queensland and the Angela and Pamela and Bigrlyi projects in the Northern Territory.

GBS Gold has reported record gold production for the second quarter of this year from its Union Reefs operations centre, near Pine Creek in the Northern Territory. Chairman Gil Playford said mill throughput increased by 44 per cent from the previous quarter, reﬂecting improved utilisation of the Union Reefs plant following commissioning of the second milling circuit. Mr Playford also said development work was progressing well at the Tom’s Gully mine site, with the underground decline having been extended into the main Block 2 part of the ore body and ore being stockpiled on the surface for processing. GBS Gold also recently announced a signiﬁcant expansion to the resource estimate for its Chinese “big pit” area.

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Universal Resources has selected GR Engineering Services (GRES) as the preferred contractor to build the treatment facility and selected infrastructure for its Roseby copper and gold project, 65km north-west of Cloncurry. Universal Resources executive chairman Peter Ingram said a conditional letter of intent had been signed by both parties and the companies would now negotiate a formal contract. He said GRES was a well-established engineering design and construction organisation specialising in mineral processing plants and associated infrastructure.

Not-so-skimpy Bikini Summit Resources has completed a resource estimate for its Bikini uranium deposit, 36km north of Mount Isa. Executive chairman Brendan O’Hara said the drilling results to date had been pleasing and confirmed the company’s belief in the prospectivity of its Mount Isa North tenements. He said the resource had been classified as inferred, primarily due to drill spacing, and it was expected that any future infill drilling would lead to an uplift in the classification.

NQM adds to holdings North Queensland Metals (NQM) has bought the tenement next to its Baal Gammon copper, tin, silver and indium project near Herberton. NQM chief executive oﬃcer John McKinstry said EPM 14016 was acquired from Dianne Mining Corporation for a cash settlement. The tenement would create the opportunity to drill two targets immediately to the north of the planned Baal Gammon pit, Mr McKinstry said. He said the Baal Gammon project - scheduled for commissioning in late 2009 - was expected to mine and process about 500,000 tonnes of ore per year over a seven-year life.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Leichhardt plant upgrade The expansion of Matrix Metals’ Leichhardt copper cathode plant, near Mount Isa, has been completed. Managing director Shane McBride said a ramp-up in production capacity rate, from 5500 tonnes per annum copper cathode to 9000 tonnes, would occur during the commissioning process. He said mining, crushing and stacking contractors had already scaled up activities to allow for the production of additional copper cathode.

Sweet results at Honey Pot Fusion Resources says further drilling at the recently discovered Honey Pot prospect within its Valhalla North project, near Mount Isa, has continued to intersect high-grade zones of uranium mineralisation. Managing director David Berrie said the assay results indicated the presence of a high-grade zone of uranium mineralisation over more than 1.6km of strike, which could be traced down dip from surface. He said the mineralisation was open at depth and further drilling was planned to the north and south to explore for potential oﬀ sets and extensions.

North Queensland focus Axiom Mining will concentrate during the next six to 12 months on establishing mineral resources for its Nightﬂower silver, lead and zinc project and Cardross copper and gold project, near Chillagoe in North Queensland. Chairman John Cook said the company was focusing on its most advanced projects in Australia and Vietnam to move the company toward becoming a serious mining house. Axiom Mining operates in Australia through its subsidiary, Ozmin Resources.

Iron ore promise Kangaroo Metals recently announced that first results from samples collected during a field survey at its Mt Ruby prospect in Silver Valley, North Queensland, showed high-grade iron ore. Managing director Brett Teale said the company would follow up with additional field work to determine the optimal approach prior to drilling extensions to confirm continuity of length, depth and grade around Mt Ruby.

‘Spectacular’ intersections InterMet Resources has announced “spectacular” gold intersections from its ﬁrst drilling program at Forsayth, 40km south of Georgetown. The company is planning further drilling in September and October to follow up on the highgrade intersections.

Exploration drilling at Energy Metals’ Bigrlyi project in the Northern Territory.

Major boost for Bigrlyi uranium project Energy Metals, manager of the Bigrlyi joint venture in the Northern Territory, has announced a 93 per cent increase in uranium production potential for the project, up from 8.4 million pounds of uranium to 16.2 million pounds. Executive director Lindsay Dudﬁeld said the project, 390km north-west of Alice Springs, could also produce 14.5 million pounds of vanadium - up 107 per cent from the project’s initial scoping study announced in November 2007. He said expected mine life had increased from eight to 12 years with improved plant utilisation. Mr Dudﬁeld said the Bigrlyi mineralisation remained open adjacent to the open pit and

Back to work at Georgetown Mega Uranium has resumed work at its Georgetown uranium project following the wet season, with a focus on drilling in the vicinity of the Maureen deposit to locate additional uranium resources. On the east-west trending lineament fault zone, about 25km south-southwest of Maureen, a 1400m drilling program is under way on the 300m strike length of known mineralisation in the Central 50 prospect to test for extensions of the mineralisation to 200m in depth. This follows a reverse circulation drilling program in the last quarter of 2007 in which three holes intersected signiﬁcant mineralisation, but other holes deviated oﬀ the planned target.

underground mining positions evaluated by the study, with excellent scope to delineate additional resources and enhance the project’s economics. Ongoing metallurgical and engineering studies were also expected to identify opportunities to extend mine life. The next Bigrlyi drilling campaign starts this month and is scheduled to continue until the end of the ﬁeld season. Meanwhile, Energy Metals has appointed Nick Burn as exploration manager. Mr Burn is a geologist with 22 years’ experience in exploration and development of gold, uranium, base metals and mineral sands resources across Australia.

Positive tin results Consolidated Tin Mines says the first results from a recently completed drilling program at its flagship Mount Garnet tin project in North Queensland returned significant intercepts of both tin and iron mineralisation. The program targeted the company’s three key deposits - Gillian, Pinnacles and Deadman’s Gully - and was designed to verify existing data and obtain material for metallurgical testing.

Phosphate takeover Aragon Resources has entered into an agreement to acquire Territory Phosphate, subject to shareholder approval. Territory Phosphate’s key assets are three granted exploration titles and one lease application covering the Ammaroo and Lady Judith phosphate prospects in the Northern Territory.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

Metallica adds to nickel stash

Study flags greater throughput for Cloncurry project Exco Resources has expanded the size of the operation to be examined by the definitive feasibility study for its Cloncurry copper project. The recently commenced study will focus on an operation treating 2.5 to three million tonnes per annum through a concentrator facility located at the project’s E1 camp. The project would produce about 25,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate per annum at this throughput level, which is 25 per cent more than envisaged by the pre-feasibility study. Exco managing director Michael Anderson said the company was encouraged by positive prefeasibility study results and the expectation of further resource upgrades in the short term. He said the definitive feasibility study would address aspects including mining, ore beneficiation, metallurgy, infrastructure and ore transport scenarios. It would also investigate the recovery of magnetite and cobalt as value-adding by-products with the potential to significantly enhance the project economics. After a successful role in the pre-feasibility work, GRD Minproc has been appointed study manager for the definitive feasibility study. Mr Anderson said Exco Resources anticipated the study would be completed in the first quarter of 2009.

So far, so good Mithril Resources is pleased with progress following the completion of the first phase of drilling at the Huckitta prospect, 250km north-east of Alice Springs Managing director Graham Ascough said five diamond drillholes had been completed on two prospects located 34km apart. He said four of the five holes had intersected significant intervals of sulphide mineralisation and assays had returned highly anomalous copper values. Drilling was targeted at testing potentially mineralised zones related to bedrock conductors identified under thin alluvial cover and the company was encouraged by locating significant sulphide intersections at an early stage of exploration. The Huckitta project is comprised of four separate joint ventures involving Mithril Resources and covers 5070sq km of prospective ground.

Metallica Minerals has identiﬁed additional oregrade nickel mineralisation at its Bell Creek South prospect, part of the company’s NORNICO project in the Greenvale region of North Queensland. Managing director Andrew Gillies said a resource update for the prospect using the additional drilling data was expected this month. He said deep holes were planned at Bell Creek South to test granite and serpentinite contact where highly anomalous copper, lead, zinc, chrome and sulphur was identiﬁed in shallow nickel laterite holes.

Diamonds at depth North Australian Diamonds says analysis of drill core from the PalSac pipe at its Merlin project has conﬁrmed diamonds at depth. But the company stated that the absolute commercial diamond grade would not be established until these core sample analyses were correlated with results from analysis of larger samples to be excavated from the open pits and with the results of previous mining operations. The Merlin project is 720km south-east of Darwin. A drill rig at Exco Resources’ E1 camp.

This was in line with the company’s aim to be in production by late 2010. The Cloncurry copper project is made up of numerous tenements and mining leases hosting the E1 camp, Monakoﬀ and Great Australia deposits. Resources delineated for the project to date total 35.8 million tonnes of ore, containing 332,500 tonnes of copper and 287,100 ounces of gold.

Oil shale options A drilling program is evaluating oil shales in permit areas owned by Paradigm Metals and Exco Resources near Cloncurry in North Queensland. Based on a data review, the joint venture partners believe it has 100sq km of oil-bearing shale at least 10m thick and beneath 10-30m of sedimentary cover. Large near-surface deposits were found in the 1970s and early 1980s when oil shale exploration took place between Cloncurry and Julia Creek, but the oil content of the shale was too low to be considered economic for open-cast mining at that time. The joint venture partners stated that companies including Shell and Schlumberger were investigating new technologies to exploit the oil shale using in situ mining methods. If economically viable and environmentally acceptable methods were developed, oil shales could become an important source of world energy in the future, they said.

MOVING FORWARD.

Copper first off the blocks The focus of Copper Strike’s Einasleigh project feasibility study has changed from early zinc, lead and silver production to early copper production. Managing director Tom Eadie said the decision was influenced in part by the continued strengthening of copper prices, the weakening prices of zinc and lead, and an anticipated upgrade to zinc and lead resources at the project. He said the financial model was being revised on the basis of copper production starting in 2010 and zinc-lead production in 2012. The feasibility study is on track to be released this month.

Resource doubled A new estimate based on 2007 drilling and assay results has doubled the inferred resource estimate for Toro Energy’s Napperby uranium project, 150km north-west of Alice Springs. The estimate is now at 4.6 million tonnes of ore for 1420 tonnes (3.13 million pounds) of contained uranium oxide. That is 112 per cent more than the last inferred estimate, prepared 18 months ago by Deep Yellow. Toro holds an option to acquire 100 per cent of the project from Deep Yellow on certain commercial terms.

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INDUSTRY UPDATE

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Red Dome pleases Kagara is pleased with results from the second deep hole completed in the current drilling program at its Red Dome gold project, near Chillagoe in North Queensland. Executive chairman Kim Robinson said drilling was planned to continue until March 2009 when a new resource estimate was scheduled for completion. Currently an inferred resource of 8.5 million tonnes at 1.61 grams per tonne gold and 0.4 per cent copper exists at Red Dome.

More finds at Watershed Vital Metals says initial results from the first holes of its 2008 drilling program at the Watershed project confirmed further extensions to tungsten mineralisation to the south-west and north of the defined resource. Managing director Andy Haslam said high-grade mineralisation continued to be encountered over an expanding area and further verified the potential long-term value in persisting with progressive and staged development of the project, 150km north-west of Cairns.

Territory mining development The Northern Territory has nine minerals and energy projects considered to be advanced, under construction or about to be constructed, according to a recent Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics (ABARE) report. The ABARE figures included: • Two stages of Coogee Resources’ Montara and Skua offshore oilfield, costing $800 million, • The Blacktip gas pipeline to Darwin, costing $150 million, • Compass Resources’ Browns Oxide mine, costing $140 million, and • BOC Gases’ Darwin helium plant, costing $40 million.

Promise at Kalman South Syndicated Metals says it has encountered a highly significant copper intersection during an ongoing drilling program at the Kalman South molybdenum, copper, gold and rhenium deposit, 60km south-east of Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. Kalman South is a joint venture between Syndicated Metals and Kings Minerals, in which Kings Minerals has the right to earn up to 70 per cent of the prospect by completing a final feasibility study. Meanwhile, Syndicated Metals has also begun a follow-up infill drilling program at its Barbara copper and gold prospect, within the company’s Mt Remarkable project near Mount Isa.

Strong business quarter as ramp-up builds steam Territory Resources has announced a strong operational performance for the June 2008 quarter, with ramp-up of production at its Frances Creek iron ore mine continuing towards a target of two million tonnes per annum by December. A third mining fleet was deployed at the operation - 190km south of Darwin - during the quarter and ancillary works were completed, including an expansion of the camp to 170 persons. Design and planning also began for a wet crushing and processing facility to improve product yield and quality and reduce unit costs. Three shipments totalling 211,000 tonnes of high-grade lump and fine ore were sent to Chinese customers, with a fourth shipment of 72,000 tonnes sent just after the quarter. Procurement activities continued on schedule and on budget for an $8 million expansion of the company’s stockpile capacity at the Port of Darwin’s East Arm Point. Managing director Allan Quadrio said Territory Resources would spend about $11 million on exploration during each of the 2008/09 and 2009/10 fiscal years, with the target of increasing resources at Frances Creek to at least 20 million tonnes during the next two years. He said the company would also maintain a focus on ongoing improvements in the cost of production through greater efficiencies in mining and processing and realising economies of scale from increased production. However, it was not all good news for Territory Resources.

Costing revised Costs have risen at Compass Resources’ Browns Oxide base metals project in the Rum Jungle region of the Northern Territory. Company secretary Neil Guest said the cost of the project had been reviewed and the revised estimated capital cost for processing plant construction was expected to be $175 million, up from the $140 million announced in December 2007. He said the revised estimate for items including ﬁrst ﬁlls, pre-production operating costs and owners’ costs was expected to be $40 million, up from the $32 million forecast in December 2007. Commissioning activities have begun at the project and production of copper cathode is scheduled for the second half of September.

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Production levels at Territory Resources’ Frances Creek iron ore operation are increasing.

The company’s previous strategy involved broad diversiﬁcation and included an investment in Monarch Gold Mining Company, which was forced into voluntary administration during the quarter. Territory Resources is now focusing its attention on Frances Creek as the cornerstone of its activities for at least the next two years, although it will maintain its investment in the mineral sands industry through its interests in Matilda Minerals and Olympia Resources.

Drilling at Wollogorang Up to 10,000m of drilling will be conducted on prospective targets at Gulf Mines’ Wollogorang copper project in the Northern Territory. Managing director Graham Reveleigh said the ﬁrst target to be drilled would be a major magnetic anomaly lying beneath Masterton Ridge.

Overseas aid Northern Territory mining businesses employed 90 workers on special 457 skilled worker visas in 2007/08 - up from 40 in the previous year. Federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the increase in the subclass 457 visa permits highlighted the importance of the program in delivering skilled labour to employers in the NT.

BETWEEN SHIFTS

August 2008 |

Port of Townsville Charity Golf Day

The Mining Advocate

PHOTOS: Stewart McLean

Rowes Bay Golf Club, Townsville Penny Wilson (PRD), Elle Glashoff (Port of Townsville), Craig Hilton (P&O Trans) and Helen Dearling (Port of Townsville).

Bob Griffin (Xstrata) and David Stringini (Toll).

Neville Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan, Allan Green and Gerry Figg (all Xstrata).

Brendon Neil (BHP Cannington), Peter Rickman (Spot On Container Services) and Paul Blake (ARG).

Robert McKnight, Hector Chifungo, Brian Fanning and Greg Peel (all from Price Waterhouse).

Emmanuel Atherinos (retired) and Bradley James (Xstrata).

David Price (NSS) with Jo Shaw, Peter Cream and Norm Napier (BHP Yabulu).

BETWEEN SHIFTS

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference 2008

PHOTOS: Christopher Knight

Holiday Inn Esplanade, Darwin Robert Smalabar, Gregory Abramowitz (Heatric), Emilie Seris (Heatric) and Jűrgen Hendrich (MEO Aust).

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Kevin Fong (Northern Territory Government) and Richard Beattie (TTIE).

David Shaw, Greg Cowen and Paul Zeidan (all Transfield Services), with Tom Robinson (Dresser Rand).

Timothy Dighton (Law Strategies) and Peter Dighton (Flex LNG).

Daniel Moriarty, Simon Stewert and Jules Darras (all from Coffey Natural Systems).

Greg Veitch (Northern Star Natural Gas) and Shinichi Tachu (Osaka Gas).

Denis Scott (KBR), Chris Hodge (Leighton Contractors) and Stuart Bowman (Leighton Contractors).

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August 2008 |

AusIMM NQ branch technical talk

The Mining Advocate

PHOTOS: Stewart McLean

Mercure Inn, Townsville

David Hunter (BHP Yabulu) and Ross Thomas (BHP Cannington).

David Lawrence, Rick Muller and Michael Gustin (all BHP Cannington).

Jill and John Weil (Ozmin Resources).

Mark Daniell (BHP Cannington) and Ian Kennedy (Xgold).

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Young Engineers golf day

PHOTOS: Christopher Knight

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The Mining Advocate | August 2008

TORGAS, TAFE and School Industry Training Network validation and moderation day

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George Coates Training Restaurant, Townsville Robyn Dyer and Dorothy Huggon (Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE) with Alan Morris (TORGAS) and George Clarke (Pacific Coast Engineering).

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Damian Andrews (TORGAS), Tanya Stainton (Building Industry Online), Narelle Bunce (Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE) and Ron Hobson (Acacia Kitchens).

David Newton and Shane Myers (Kirwan State High), Jason Wenta (Jason Wenta Electrical Services) and Tahnee Smithwick (TORGAS).

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Ernest Henry

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

The Ernest Henry copper and gold operation • Located 38km north-east of Cloncurry in north-west Queensland. • The ore body is the third largest copper deposit in Australia, after Olympic Dam in South Australia and Mount Isa Mines. • Construction of the operation began in 1995 and the ﬁrst copper concentrate was produced in 1997. • The operation is currently open pit, but a decline is being constructed that could support a move to underground mining.

Photo: Through The Looking Glass Studio

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Ernest Henry

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Future pinned on stable structure A geotechnical team is installing heavy support to enable Ernest Henry’s new underground decline to stand the test of time. Geotechnical engineer Jayson Summerville is working to ensure that Ernest Henry’s underground decline will be stable over the long term. “We’ve taken a fair bit of care and a fairly conservative approach because a lot of what you do depends on the mine life; we’ve put in the heavy support,” he said. One of the main focuses of his geotechnical team has been optimising the use of rock bolts. “We come up with diﬀerent rock bolting patterns depending on the type of ground we encounter and we spray concrete over the tunnel as well,” Mr Summerville said. “We need to make sure the rock bolts are permanent installations that can deal with a range of conditions.” He said a 3m resin bolt could hold a 15-tonne block of

Jayson Summerville Ernest Henry geotechnical engineer

material in place. Construction of the 3.2km decline began in February and could support a move to underground mining. General manager Mike Westerman said the decline,

which is being constructed by contractors Barminco, was being made larger than usual to facilitate the use of rigid body open pit trucks. Development of the decline was on track for completion early next year, he said. Mr Westerman said that even if the underground mining project was not approved, ore could continue to be removed from the decline area to support a minimum three-year mine life beyond scheduled closure in 2010. “The decline justiﬁes itself at a rate of three million tonnes per annum, so it’s good news all up,” he said. The Ernest Henry deposit is known to extend more than 400m below the ﬁnal Stage 7 open pit. The angle of the ore body means open pit mining beyond Stage 7 would be uneconomical due to the amount of waste that would need to be stripped to access the ore.

New accommodation at the Ernest Henry village. Photo: Through The Looking Glass Studio

Bed boost meets roster demands Forty new rooms were recently constructed at Ernest Henry’s accommodation village to help meet the bedding demands of a new roster. The en suite rooms, valued at $700,000, cater for about 80 workers on a hot-bed basis. About 55 per cent of Ernest Henry’s full-time workforce is ﬂy in-ﬂy out, with the remainder mostly living in nearby Cloncurry. The operation sources local labour where

appropriate, but a number of skilled professionals are recruited from centres such as Townsville and Brisbane. These professionals are often unable to relocate to Cloncurry because of family and other commitments at their origin. A new roster was instituted this year, meaning some employees work an 8-6-7-7 roster (eight days on, six days off, seven nights on, seven nights off ), while others work an 8-6 roster (eight days on, six off ).

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Ernest Henry

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

Keeping their feet on the ground One couple has ditched the airborne commute to Ernest Henry for a fuller experience of northwest Queensland life, writes Michael Stevens. Ernest Henry mine employees Donna and Matthew Clifford recently relocated from Hobart to Cloncurry to escape the fly infly out (FIFO) lifestyle. Mr Clifford, a resource geologist, said he had been flying to Ernest Henry mine from Hobart for his work shifts, but wanted the opportunity to experience life in north-west Queensland. He said he first became unhappy with the FIFO lifestyle a couple of years ago when he was living in Perth and working at a West Australian mine site. “Donna and I didn’t have a really good chance to look around Western Australia,” he said. “You’d do your 12-hour day and fly home at the end of the roster and we missed a good

opportunity to look at a part of Australia that would have been good to see. “With this job at Ernest Henry, we just took the opportunity to come out and have a look. “A lot of the younger guys are more interested in living in Brisbane or Townsville on their week off - which is fine - but I guess Donna and I have reached a point in our lives when the city life is not as important as it was once.” Ms Clifford, who works parttime in the geotechnical support department at Ernest Henry mine, said she and her husband had already enjoyed exploring the nearby Lawn Hill National Park. She recently finished studies in naturopathy and herbal medicine

and plans to pursue these interests in Cloncurry. When The Mining Advocate caught up with Mr and Ms Clifford, they were running an Ernest Henry information booth at the Cloncurry and District Agricultural Show. “We volunteered to do it, it’s all part of being in the community,” Mr Clifford said. Mr Clifford is heavily involved with the proposed underground mining transition at Ernest Henry. “It’s a really interesting part of my job and was one of the reasons I wanted to stay at the mine as a permanent Ernest Henry employee after my initial contract work was over,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting – it’s not that common for a mine to go through that sort of change and it’s interesting to see how it’s done and what’s involved.”

Donna and Matthew Clifford help out at Ernest Henry’s information booth at the Cloncurry and District Agricultural Show.

Tamara Oakley directs truck movements in the Ernest Henry open pit.

Truck movements are Tamara’s call Visitors gaze out over the open pit at Ernest Henry mine, outside Cloncurry.

Tours showcase operation Some participants on the biweekly Ernest Henry mine tours have ended up staying longer than they might have thought. General manager Mike Westerman said there had been occasions when individuals in the tour groups had mentioned that they had prior mining industry experience and were interested in working at Ernest Henry mine.

They were subsequently referred to the human resources department for more information on the recruitment process. However, he said the main value in oﬀering the public tours was to promote the operation as a sound contributor to the local community. “We started the tours four years ago, and we’ve had over

1000 people come through,” Mr Westerman said. “Most people are amazed and in awe of the size of the operation and comment very positively about their experience.” Money raised from the mine tours is donated to the Cloncurry Historical Society, with more than $3000 raised in 2007.

Tamara Oakley has a great view from her oﬃce, but she could never be accused of staring aimlessly out of the window. Ms Oakley is a dispatcher and co-ordinates truck movements from her position overlooking the pit to ensure enough ore is removed during her shift. “I allocate certain trucks to certain machines such as shovels and diggers,” she said. “The supervisors give us a target (of ore to be removed) every day that we have to try to beat.” When The Mining Advocate visited Ms Oakley she had to direct 25 trucks around the pit to achieve the removal of 53,000 tonnes of ore in the 6am-6pm shift.

The operation was on track to exceed this ﬁgure by 5000 tonnes. Ms Oakley began work at Ernest Henry as a truck driver before becoming a grader operator and eventually choosing to train as a dispatcher about 12 months ago. “There’s a lot of training involved, so you shouldn’t come up here if you don’t want to be up here,” she said. Ms Oakley said the job appealed to her because it kept her “on the ball” all day. “It can be diﬃcult, it can be a real rat race when it wants to be, but if you’re organised and know how to run the place you’ll be alright,” she said.

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Ernest Henry

Working to lift tourism Ernest Henry’s operators are keen to nurture an alternative industry to aid Cloncurry’s economy when the mine closes. Ernest Henry mine is working to ensure that tourism ﬁlls an economic gap in Cloncurry when the mining operation eventually ends. General manager Mike Westerman said the mine injected about $10 million per year into Cloncurry’s economy in wages alone. He said that increasing revenue from tourism by as little as 5 per cent would deliver huge beneﬁts to the town’s economy. “Even though tourism is seasonal, running from around May to October, encouraging it would add a lot more value to the town and would give Ernest Henry the opportunity to set up a sustainable

industry outside of mining,” he said. “If it turns out we can continue mining (with a transition to an underground operation), the more tourism the better.” Ernest Henry has recently engaged tourism consultants as part of its Cloncurry Tourism Development Plan. Mr Westerman said the success of the Dirt and Dust Festival at nearby Julia Creek had provided inspiration for developing signature events at Cloncurry. He said the annual Cloncurry Rotary Merry Muster and the Rockhana Gem and Mineral Festival were events that could possibly be expanded.

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Xstrata gets behind community projects In 2007, Xstrata’s Community Partnership Program North Queensland supported 14 initiatives in Cloncurry to a value of $296,000. Among the projects were contributions towards a new skate park for local youth and the laying of a synthetic grass surface on a sports court at Cloncurry State School.

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The Mining Advocate | August 2008

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LIFESTYLE

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

Tales from the outback Trek A group of OZ Minerals Century Mine employees earned themselves some massive blisters recently when they walked to Townsville from the Gulf community of Karumba for charity. “Trek” was started by workers at Century Mine in 2004 to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation.Their employer supports the event by giving participants time oﬀ work, food, vehicles, petrol and some accommodation. Century Mine health and hygiene co-ordinator and veteran Trekker, Bernadette Murphy, shares her experiences of this year’s walk. We had two teams of walkers - one group did the whole 1500km walk from Karumba to Townsville and the second group did a shorter 85km walk from Century Mine to Gregory River. Every day someone had to wear a Superman suit, which was a way of making sure we were seen and heard about along the way. Kids love spotting Superman on the road and he always does the appropriate pose as they go by. We shake cans and pull over vehicles along the way to ask for donations, and this year we managed to get a couple of buses to stop for us. One of the nicest moments was when we pulled over a car heading out west, in which a

young boy and his grandmother were returning home after he went to see a specialist in Townsville for his kidney problems. Gran donated some money and as we walked away the little guy called us back and gave some of his own pocket money – it doesn’t get any better than that. I don’t think any of us escaped without blisters and some tendonitis of the feet - we certainly kept the Band-Aid industry in good shape and no shoes were to be taken oﬀ inside the support bus. We mostly cooked for ourselves. We slept in swags beside creeks and rivers or we pulled into caravan parks when and where we could to grab showers.

Century Mine employees Danny Murphy (in the Superman suit) and Mick Hogan trudge between Century Mine and Gregory River.

We learned to secure the swags to the support bus after they ﬂew oﬀ the back of the trailer on one occasion - lucky someone noticed or there would have been some unhappy campers at the end of that day. Some of us have done Trek two or three times before, and this year we had three new walkers join us.

They were a bit perplexed at the beginning but were going strong after a few days. We had two musicians with us - Mark Carter, who works at Century, and Dave Knight, an entertainer from Townsville who generously gave up his time to walk and put on shows along the way. What we look forward to at

the end of the walk is our own beds, a long shower or bath, a coldie or two and a peaceful sleep (I think all the guys on the walk snore loud enough to challenge the noise from the freight trains). We ﬁnished up at the Seaview Hotel in Townsville and had a sausage sizzle with family, friends and workmates.

Challenge reels them in Serious anglers will soon have the chance to go up against some fighting marlin off Townsville and be in the running to win prizes for their efforts. The 2008 Gilbert Group Billfish Challenge will be held on September 5–11. Event organiser, the Townsville Game Fishing Club, believes that this year’s tournament will be the largest in its 26-year history, with more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. The event consists of five days of fishing plus a “meet and greet” on the first evening, a golf day and gala presentation dinner at Jupiters Townsville Hotel and Casino on the final day Many anglers choose to charter large boats for the event, but an “8m and Under” category also encourages smaller boats to enter in the tournament. The Cairns heavy tackle season begins soon after the Billfish Challenge and the event is positioned as a great opportunity for boats heading north to stop off and experience Townsville’s hospitality and the best 6kg light tackle fishing the area has to offer. With complementary parties and barbecues planned, the

The barramundi - “icon fish of the Territory”.

NT moves on barra take

challenge has become a premium social event for the whole of the north and north-west Queensland mining industry.

For more information visit www.townsvillegameﬁshclub. com/billﬁsh_challenge_08/index. htm.

Recreational anglers will hope to benefit from the start of a buyback of commercial barramundi fishing licences by the Northern Territory Government. Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said the Government was contacting all commercial barramundi fishermen to begin licence buy-back negotiations. Mr Natt said the Government had already bought back inshore commercial coastal net fishing licences and had closed Darwin

Harbour and Shoal Bay to make recreational fishing better. “Barramundi is the icon fish of the Territory and we want to ensure the great fishing today continues into the future – that is why we are buying back commercial licences,” he said. “Boat ownership here is the highest in the country and more than 100,000 tourists who come here say they wet a line during their stay.”

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

ADVERTORIAL

LIFESTYLE

A sea change for the better The Bowen region offers a great alternative in relaxed coastal living for central Queensland miners, according to one recent convert. Moving north has been a wonderful lifestyle choice for one Bowen Basin miner and his family. Rob Butler is a diesel fitter at Newlands Coal Mine at Suttor Creek, 129km west of Mackay. He works shifts of four or five days on site and has the following four or five days off, in alternating patterns His family moved base from Mackay to the Whitsunday region about 18 months ago and Mr Butler said he relished arriving home from work after a 90-minute drive for some quality down time. “It’s a lot different up here, a lot slower - we love it up here without the traffic,” Mr Butler said. He also said leisure activities were second to none in the Whitsundays. When he’s not slaving away at mining machines, Mr Butler likes nothing better than taking his boat out and wetting a fishing line in the sparkling blue water. Mr Butler has lived at the Whitsunday Shores estate, just south of Bowen on the North Queensland coast, for about 12 months and the family is rapt with their new home. “The best thing about living at Whitsunday Shores is that it’s new and there is room to move about – we’re not living in each others’ pockets,” Mr Butler said. He said one of his favourite parts of his house was the large back yard.

The Aspen Group is focusing on developing the estate as a self-suﬃcient community, including the creation of a retail precinct, tavern, playgrounds, retirement village, landscaped parks and boardwalks. Essential and luxury items are also available a short drive away in Bowen.

A country club and 18-hole golf course is planned for Whitsunday Shores in the future. For more details visit www.whitsundayshores.com.au.

First Home Buyers - Investment Loans - Commercial Loans - Debt Protection Advice - Consolidation Loans - Overseas Borrowers

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EDUCATION 2009

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

Multiple career pathways at Cathedral The Cathedral School is very aware that the “onesize-ﬁts-all” approach is no longer relevant in today’s career market. As a result, the Townsville-based school works very closely with each individual child, mapping out a career pathway that suits their academic needs and life goals.

“Students are increasingly looking for alternatives to academic study, often focusing on a trade,” said Cathedral School careers adviser Katrina Wilshire. “We strongly encourage students to stay on at school, to complete Year 12, yet we work very hard to allow them to start their trade

while still at school.” The Cathedral School has a strong working partnership with TORGAS, placing students in their schoolbased apprenticeship program. One such student is Mark Neilsen - an apprentice boilermaker completing Year 12 at The Cathedral School.

“I want to have my own company one day after I spend some time working out at the mines,” Mark said. TORGAS arranged

Mark’s placement with host business Locker Group, where he is highly regarded. “Mark is a great example of the beneﬁts

of a school-based apprenticeship and the life-long opportunities provided by The Cathedral School,” Mrs Wilshire said.

ar 12 od to Ye ly Childho • Anglican School • Co-Ed Day & Boarding • Ear Founded 1917

The Cathedral School provides students with multiple academic and training pathways

We develop the whole-person, preparing them for life-long success in the real world. To ﬁnd out more about the amazing opportunities offered at The Cathedral School, telephone our Registrar Mrs Toni Lanphier on 4722 2000 tcs@c a

thedra l.qld.ed u.au • w ww.cathedral

.qld.edu.au

07 4722 2000

COLUMBA CATHOLIC COLLEGE CHARTERS TOWERS •

Caring, safe environment.

•

Classes from Prep to Year 12.

•

Extensive subject and extra-curricular range.

•

Over 30 Subject choices at Senior level.

•

Vocational education.

•

School based apprenticeships.

•

Practical innovative learning.

•

Curriculum focus in the Middle Years (7-9)

•

Prep to Year 6 special focus on Literacy Programs leading into Middle School.

•

Discipline - firm and fair.

•

Cattle Club.

•

Innovative Agricultural Science Program.

•

Marybank - a College outdoor education facility on the nearby Burdekin River.

•

Modern facilities.

•

Staff commitment to the best in teaching.

•

Residential care and opportunities for personal growth.

•

Separate residential campuses for boys and girls from Year 4 to Year 12.

•

Option for weekly boarding.

•

Family friendly fees and payment options.

COLUMBA CATHOLIC COLLEGE CHARTERS TOWERS PO Box 274 Charters Towers Qld 4820 E office@columba.qld.edu.au W www.columba.qld.edu.au P 0747 871744 F 0747 874986

Educating for life-long success

School-based apprentice Mark Neilsen (right) from The Cathedral School completes a task under the watchful eye of Locker Group supervisor Lindsey Briggs.

A ‘home away from home’ for boarders from the bush The proud 100-year tradition of educating students from near and far at Columba Catholic College continues in 2008. The beauty of Charters Towers is that it oﬀers everything of a large metropolitan centre while maintaining the appeal of a rural community, a college spokeswoman says. And Columba Catholic College boarders never miss out. “A real home away from home for our students from the bush weekends are spent going to the movies, having barbecues, swimming at various waterholes, camping, taking trips to Townsville, shopping down town or simply relaxing around the boarding house,” the spokeswoman said. She said Columba boarding oﬀered parents and their children a structured environment that was conducive to scholastic endeavour. “Our boarders have

free access to all of the learning facilities of the college, which also boasts a ratio of one computer for every residential student - an important element in the education of 21st century students,” the college spokeswoman said.

“The emphasis is on ensuring our boarders never miss out” In addition to the physical resources, teaching staﬀ help students during study time, providing a meaningful connection between day and boarding school. The college oﬀers residential students a number of structured and engaging co- and extra-curricular activities which ensures their lives are very full. Columba has students participating in netball, touch football, tennis,

taekwondo and judo, as well as involvement in various inter-school sporting competitions. The spokeswoman said a number of Columba Catholic College students were also engaged in the arts during weekends, working on various performance projects incorporating drama and music. “Furthermore, a number of our rural students enjoy their membership in Cattle Club and regularly travel (with much success) to agricultural shows,” the spokeswoman said. “Once again, the emphasis is on ensuring our boarders never miss out.” The college’s residential staﬀ are experienced and well placed to meet the needs of each and every individual. “Columba Catholic College is thriving and continues to oﬀer rural families the best in education,” the spokeswoman said.

EDUCATION 2009

The Mining Advocate | August 2008

Industry snaps up students Apprentices from the Australian Technical College – North Queensland are fast becoming sought-after employees in local industry. The college turns out school-based apprentices in the four broad industry areas of construction, engineering, electro-technology and automotive work. Since the college opened its doors in February last year, its apprentices have been snapped up by about 190 North Queensland businesses. Chief executive oﬃcer Roslyn Baker said employers across the region were recognising the quality of the students. “Recently we surveyed all of our employers and almost 100 per cent of respondents said they would recommend the college to other employers,” Ms Baker said.

“It’s really great to see that our students are out there in industry proving that they are as good, if not better, than their counterparts. “It all comes down to the focus we have on meeting industry needs. “We run the college as an extension of the workplace, so our students know what their employers are expecting of them before they even go out to their placement. “This year we have set up an Apprentice Action Team which monitors the performance of all apprentices and works closely with employers, students and parents to ensure that everyone’s needs are being met.” Townsville City Council is among the many employers who have seen the advantages of the college.

Australian Technical College - North Queensland Apprentice of the Year Jesse Jackson.

“As a local employer, it would always be our preference to employ people from here in Townsville and having the Australian Technical College – North Queensland training means our young people stay in the north,” a council spokesperson said. “We have a number of apprentices on our books who train at the college and we have been so happy with the way their skills have been developed. “With many of our young

people having so many options available to them in terms of their future, we find having this training available means they can stay here in North Queensland and contribute to the development of their own community.” Ms Baker said the college offered a different approach to the traditional school-based apprenticeship model. “Unlike the regular one day a week of industry placement, our apprentices are out with their

Photo by: Stewart McLean

employers for up to ﬁve weeks at a time,” she said. “It’s win-win for the student and the employer, because the student is getting more on-thejob training and the employer gets their apprentice working with them for a much longer period.” The Australian Technical College – North Queensland has apprentices in a number of trade areas ready for the workplace. For more information call 1300 665 733.

YEAR 10? Learn a trade • Bricklaying • Electrical • Carpentry • Auto Mechanic • Spray & Panel Beating

AND FINISH YEAR 12 AND GET PAID! If you are in Year 10, you can enrol in the Australian Technical College and have on the job training, ﬁnish your QCE and get paid for it! How good is that! Applications are now invited to enrol in the 2009 year by contacting the College direct or via our web page.

Mid Year Enrolments Limited places are now available for mid year enrolments. If you would like to join the College mid year contact us now for full details.

Australian Technical College North Queensland

EDUCATION 2009

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

A helping hand for region’s youth The non-proﬁt organisation IN-STeP is helping young people throughout North Queensland explore potential career pathways to secure a bright employment future. IN-STeP (Industry School Training Partnership) works with schools, businesses, government and community organisations to provide a range of tailored services and programs. With funding from Career Advice Australia, IN-STeP delivers the Local Community Partnership program to Townsville, the Burdekin, Charters Towers, Ingham and Palm Island - assisting young people between the ages of 13 and 19. Local Community Partnerships implement three career development and transition support programs: • Structured Workplace Learning – facilitating the provision of structured workplace learning opportunities to students in a real or simulated workplace; • Career and Transition Support – facilitating access for young people to a range of career and transition support programs; and

• Adopt A School – encouraging businesses to work with schools to engage young people in hands-on learning experiences and develop their understanding of work and employability skills. Through these initiatives the organisation works with schools, parents, industry and professional career development practitioners to deliver services and material including: • Australian Career and Development Studies, • Industry presentations and visits, • Career education materials, • “Rolling for a Career” – a career activity for 13 and 14-year-olds, • Teacher Professional Development workshops, • Access to professional career advice, • Industry work placements, and • Parent workshops about post-school options. The organisation promotes vocational and technical education pathways and opportunities. It works to enhance monitoring and mentoring arrangements for young people,

Young people get practical help to choose their career paths.

Businesses can benefit by having meaningful work completed while developing students’ skills.

particularly Year 9 and 10 students. IN-STeP’s philosophy is to aid the whole community. Its aim - to encourage young people to listen to their

heart, follow their dreams and realise their potential through empowerment, knowledge and experience. IN-STeP strives to bridge the gap between key stakeholders,

facilitate quality partnerships and improve opportunities for young people. For more information visit www.in-step.com.au.

Cootharinga Charity Race Day & Bonanza Tipping Competition On the 25th of October, Cox Plate Cootharinga Disability Services and Parry Nissan are giving away a

NISSAN MICRA

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IN-STeP is a non-profit organisation funded through an Australian Government Initiative, Career Advice Australia (CAA). Through CAA IN-STeP delivers the Local Community Partnership program to Townsville, the Burdekin, Charters Towers, Ingham and Palm Island, that assists all young people between the ages of 13 and 19 We work with schools, businesses, government and community organisation to provide a range of tailored services and programs to enhance the future prospects for young people.

LINKING YOUNG PEOPLE, SCHOOLS, PARENTS, BUSINESSES AND THE COMMUNITY www.in-step.com.au email: in-step@in-step.com.au

Ph: (07) 4725 2688

TEAM VS TEAM BONANZA TIPPING COMPETITION • • • • •

3 Course fine dining meal Plasma screens strategicallly placed in the marquee will show the races Individual Horse Naming race rights sponsorship available ($2500) only 6 available Individual team sponsorships available ($1000) Individual players at $250per head

in the Grand Marquee. All food and Drinks provided All proceeds go to people living with disabiities in North Queensland. Prizes will be given for best dressed person, best hat and best dressed team.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED AN

APPRENTICE OR TRAINEE? STEP 1 Talk to TORGAS the Apprentice & Trainee Specialists on 1300 655 199 TORGAS has over 20 years experience managing apprentices and trainees

STEP 2 Leave the worry to us TORGAS provides your business with a flexible and worry free service

You can also contact TORGAS by email: torgas@torgas.com.au or www.torgas.com.au

SCHOOLS MEET INDUSTRY NEEDS event of its type that had been staged, and he hoped it would become an annual occurrence. He said teachers not only benefited from talking to industry representatives, they also learnt from interacting with each other. George Clarke

Vocational education teachers and industry worked together at a recent validation and moderation day in Townsville to ensure that students received the best possible start to their industry careers. The event was organised by TORGAS the Apprentice and Trainee Specialists, the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE (BRIT), TAFE Queensland, and the School Industry Training Network [SITLink]. Over 20 vocational education teachers from throughout North Queensland consulted with BRIT, TORGAS, and industry representatives about assessment requirements relevant to workplaces, and submitted their lesson plans for review. TORGAS managing director Alan Morris said that, as far as he knew, it was the first

“Schools were able to look at how others were delivering vocational education and were exposed to a variety of different methods of delivery,” he said. “A number of schools have set up informal partnerships to share knowledge, ensure consistency, and support new networks.” Mr Morris said the vocational education sector was required to deliver relevant and precise qualifications, and the validation and moderation day helped reinforce what schools needed to do to satisfy this requirement. The event also helped show them how they could capture evidence to demonstrate the relevance of their vocational training. Pacific Coast Engineering managing director George Clarke was head of the

engineering industry representatives at the validation and moderation day. He said his main advice to teachers was to focus more on workplace health and safety. “Students need to know how to comply with the different elements of safety legislation before they go out on site these days,” he said. He said he learnt a number of things from his discussions with teachers at the event, especially in regard to school examination processes. The Queensland education sector was on the right track with its vocational training programs, he said. TORGAS is a non-profit Group Training Organisation operating on a commercial basis. It services North Queensland from Cardwell to Mackay and the Whitsundays, and the North West Mineral Province. TORGAS employs over 500 apprentices and trainees in various fields including engineering, mining, construction, automotive, hospitality and administration.

EDUCATION 2009

August 2008 |

The Mining Advocate

A proud history in the west Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers combines a long schooling tradition with the best of modern training facilities. Catholic education has a long and proud history in the west, dating back to the establishment of the ďŹ rst Catholic school in Charters Towers in 1876 and Mount Isa in 1932. Today, this strong tradition continues with almost 2000 students attending the Catholic schools which serve Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Winton, Charters Towers and the surrounding communities. Catholic schools oďŹ&#x20AC;er a distinct style of education quality curriculum delivered in line with the Catholic ethos and Christian values. At its heart is a focus on nurturing and development of the individual child â&#x20AC;&#x201C; academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically. Students are encouraged to become actively involved in the life of the school and in their local communities and are educated to become responsible stewards of the environment. Catholic schools in the west provide families with a Catholic

education from Prep through to Year 12, with six primary schools and two secondary colleges, including a boarding facility in Charters Towers. Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers provides families with a quality boarding option for their children, in a structured environment conducive to academic endeavour, social and physical development. Columba Catholic Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential staďŹ&#x20AC; is experienced and well placed to meet the needs of individual students. Residential facilities are oďŹ&#x20AC;ered from Year 4 to 12, with girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; boarding dormitories located on two separate campuses. Columba Catholic College now oďŹ&#x20AC;ers a state-of-theart training centre providing students with a best-practice facility for those interested in pursuing a career in agricultural and vet science. This facility, known as one of the best of its kind in Australia, oďŹ&#x20AC;ers students a hands-on

Columba Catholic College offers students state-of-the-art training facilities.

learning experience. Catholic Education director for the Townsville Diocese, Cathy Day, said the organisation was very proud of the long history of Catholic schooling in the west.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Catholic schools have long been an important part of our western communities, whether they serve families living in the immediate towns or those located in more remote areas through our boarding facilities,â&#x20AC;?

Dr Day said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to continuing to be a strong presence in the west and to the ongoing delivery of quality education and residential care in our strong Catholic ethos.â&#x20AC;?

Faith Life Learning 7ELCOMEĂ´TOĂ´THEĂ´GROWING COMMUNITYĂ´THATĂÍSĂ´ #ATHOLICĂ´%DUCATION â&#x20AC;˘Ă´QUALITY Ă´FAITH BASEDĂÉDUCATION â&#x20AC;˘Ă´FAMILY ORIENTED â&#x20AC;˘Ă´WELCOMINGĂÁNDĂÍNCLUSIVE â&#x20AC;˘Ă´LIFE LONGĂ´SKILLSĂÁNDĂ´VALUES â&#x20AC;˘ĂÁĂ´LOVEĂÓFĂ´LEARNINGĂÁNDĂÁĂ´LOVEĂÓFĂ´LIFE

JOINĂÍNĂ´THEĂ´SPIRITĂÓFĂÓURĂ´#ATHOLICĂ´SCHOOLS

e fullâ&#x20AC;? John 10:10 h t o t t i e hav d â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have n a e f i l come so that you may have

www.tsv.catholic.edu.au

MAKCE043

Townsville Catholic Education OfďŹ ce Telephone: 4773 0900 enquiries@tsv.catholic.edu.au

liabilities carried by both individuals and the site occupier and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Due diligence requires spill control suppliers to include complete product training to assist with achieving best environmental outcomes.

The spill control sector is an important part of the overall industry and a critical segment of any organisation’s environment protection strategy but remains largely unregulated. In this unregulated environment, there are four important questions that consumers need to ask when buying spill control equipment to ensure due diligence is being exercised. 1. Why do I need spill control equipment? One common thread that runs through the various state environment protection legislations is the obligation for all businesses and individuals to exercise their General Environmental Duty. The Environment Protection Act 1994 defines this as: “A person must not carry out any activity that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental harm unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the harm”. If a pollution incident occurs and the responsible company is unable to provide evidence that the General Environmental Duty has been observed, maximum penalties of up to $5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment are available to the courts. 2. How much spill control equipment do I need? Section 2.3.4 (Spillage Control) of The Australian Standard AS1940-2004 for The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids states that all spills and leaks shall be cleaned up immediately. Liquids should not be allowed to flow into drains or on to neighbouring land, or enter any creek, pond or waterway. When recommending the amount of spill control equipment required, AS1940-

2004 states, “Precautions should be based at least on the loss of contents of the largest container kept.” Mobile bins are a common spill kit container but the size of the container that a spill kit is packed into does not reflect its ability to absorb a certain amount. Always ask your spill control provider what the absorbent capacity of the spill kit is. It is important that your supplier can support these claims by providing you with a copy of maximum sorbency testing results from an accredited laboratory. 3. Is training provided? The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) conducted compliance audits on 52 licensed

management facilities and 10 nonlicensed premises that store and handle liquid chemicals and manage spills. On a number of the audited sites it found appropriate training had not been provided. The final report identified the need for, “developing and implementing procedures to train staff in spill management and the use of spill kits.” As with all emergency response equipment, staff must be trained in correct deployment in the event of an incident occurring. As well as providing a thorough understanding of how to correctly use the on-site spill control equipment, the training should also make staff aware of how the legislation applies to both them and the company. This is critical as there are responsibilities and

4. How do I dispose of used absorbents? Whenever waste is generated, it must be deposited into the correct waste stream. The type of liquids absorbed and the amount of contaminated absorbents will determine the waste stream into which the used absorbents must disposed of. All states apart from Northern Territory provide documented waste disposal guidelines to ensure correct disposal of oil soaked waste. There are slight differences in these guidelines from state to state. The common principles shared by these guidelines are up to 100kg of oil soaked waste can be disposed of as solid or inert waste provided that there are no free liquids present. The test method required by these guidelines to show that there are no free liquids is the USEPA Paint Filter Liquids Test – Method 9095A. Ask your spill control provider to supply you with the document that establishes that the absorbents they offer meet this requirement. If they are unable to provide this documentation, the consumer may be vulnerable to prosecution for illegal dumping of waste. By asking your spill control provider these four important questions you can feel secure in the knowledge that due diligence is being exercised and that the correct tools for effectively addressing an emergency spill incident are on hand. Contact Spill Station Australia on 1300 664 266 for your nearest stockist.

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