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NEWS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

1

COVER IMAGE: Robotic cathode strippers revolutionise processing at CST’s Lady Annie operation in north-west Queensland.

January 2012

FEATURES 8 Coal and Gas Update

3 Older and overlooked

News in brief across the coal and gas industries.

Specialist employment agencies say many mining companies are refusing to consider Australia’s mature-age jobseekers despite the skills shortage.

5 Down, but not out

10 Industry Update - Hard Rock A comprehensive wrap of exploration and operations in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

12 Between Shifts

A poor result in a Fraser Institute investment ranking has drawn comment from the resource sector and government, highlighting Queensland’s strengths. An Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) head says the state’s exploration and mining industry is successfully addressing issues which contributed to the recent downgrade.

16 Regional Engineering Teams 17 Major Projects 18 Ivanhoe Australia Feature

7 Mine rehab plea

20 Building Mining Communities

The head of an indigenous mining contractor says local Aboriginal communities want to fix abandoned mine sites, aiding the environment and gaining valuable work experience.

21 Health in Mining 22 Heavy Machinery Review

17 Cruisy commute

24 Drilling and Exploration

Five 35m, 400-passenger Enviro Cat ferries and another four 24m boats have been commissioned to carry Gladstone’s liquefied natural gas project workers on their regular commute to Curtis Island.

25 Materials Handling 26 Processing

24 What’s the score?

27 Shutdowns

A new multi-sector industry group has released a scorecard providing detailed analysis of exploration performance across Queensland.

28 Building NW Queensland 30 Wet Season

27 Keep them rolling

31 Mining Families

New DunnEasy Idler assemblies set to go into production in North Queensland are being touted as a safe, efficient means of avoiding conveyor shutdowns.

32 Emergency Response and Rescue

CONTACTS p. (07) 4755 0336 f. (07) 4755 0338

Managing editor:

......................... Robert

Dark m. 0417 623 156

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Journalist: .......................................................... Jan Green m. 0418 740 336

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Advertising booking deadline March edition: February 21 All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced in part or in full by any means without written permission of the managing editor. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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2

NEWS

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Warning on ‘grey market’ gear Buyers opting for alternative machinery sources risk running into compliance, parts and warranty problems, a peak industry body has cautioned.

Australia’s heavy equipment distributors have warned about the potential pitfalls of purchasing “grey market” equipment.

This involves “new”, “unused” or “low-hour” gear imported outside authorised original equipment manufacturers (OEM) distribution channels.

Construction and Mining Equipment Industry Group (CMEIG) chief executive officer John Reid said potential problems included noncompliance with Australian safety and environmental requirements, lack of warranty coverage, and limited parts availability when imported machines differed from the standard Australian machine specification.

“Whether equipment buyers are purchasing direct from overseas over the internet or at auction in Australia, it’s important to be aware of potential issues before making their final decision,” he said.

“OEM have a number of different machine specifications, depending on which market a

particular machine is destined for.

“As a rule, machines built for the Australian market have the highest safety, environmental and machine monitoring and maintenance specifications such as rollover protection structure (ROPS) cabins, hoseburst protection, Tier 2 or Tier 3 low-emission engines and sophisticated on-board monitoring systems.

“However, those built for developing countries are often fitted with older-generation engines, hydraulics and electronics systems, and, in the case of excavators – which are in the process of transitioning to international standard ROPS cabs – won’t have ROPScompliant cabins.

“That means there is every chance than an ‘unused’ internationally sourced machine won’t have some key parts held

by Australian distributors.

“In the event of a machine breakdown or component failure, the owners of such a machine may find themselves waiting some weeks or even months for

John Reid Construction and Mining Equipment Industry Group chief executive officer

replacement parts. This will be through no fault of the local distributor, who won’t have the parts in stock, and will have to order them in from overseas factories.”

Mr Reid said that owners of such machines hoping to work on major projects may also find their machines would not comply with head contractors’ and clients’ requirements.

“Without things like hose-

burst protection, ROPS cabs with OEM compliance plates, or the latest low-emission engines, ‘unused’ imported machine owners may find limits on where they can work,” he said.

According to Mr Reid, even machines from New Zealand may not always comply with Australian requirements.

“There have been recent examples of ‘as-new’ excavators coming across the Tasman, including with what are claimed to be ROPS cabs,” he said.

“This is something that buyers need to look at very carefully; New Zealand has had its own ROPS-type excavator cab for many years but this does not comply with International and Australian ISO (International Standards Organisation) standards.

“So, buyers who think they may be getting a low-cost ROPS-cab compliant excavator from New Zealand may be mistaken.”

Mr Reid pointed to a CMEIG checklist developed for end-users who are thinking of purchasing “unused”, “as-new” or “low-hour” machines, either from offshore or at local auctions.

The checklist outlines important questions potential

buyers should be asking before they purchase or bid for a particular machine.

Questions to ask include: • Make, model number, serial number and year of manufacture, • What is the claimed warranty on the machine and is there supporting documentation?

• What is local parts availability for this particular machine? (the serial number and year of manufacture can be used to request this information from the local distributor), • Will the local distributor provide warranty coverage?

• What safety equipment is fitted to the machine?

• If it is an excavator, does it have a ROPS cab and, if so, is there an OEM compliance plate?

• What emissions standard is the engine built to?

“By asking these and other questions, would-be buyers will get a much better idea of just how much of a bargain that seemingly low-priced machine will be, including the levels of service and parts availability they can reasonably expect over its working life,” Mr Reid said.

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NEWS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

www.olderworkers.com.au

Older jobseekers out in the cold Specialist job agencies say the resources sector is overlooking a valuable source of workers despite the skills shortage, writes Jan Green.

The refusal of many mining companies to consider Australia’s unemployed, skilled older workers constitutes one of the country’s worst forms of discrimination, according to mature-age, online employment organisations Adage and Olderworkers.

Adage.com.au managing director Heidi Holmes has 12,000 mature-age jobseekers on her website, which includes mining utilities as a category choice.

Their skills include engineering, electrical engineering, project management, energy analysis and carbon consultancy.

“Any organisation looking for experienced workers can no longer afford to ignore the mature

market - particularly the mining industry where skills shortages are common,” Ms Holmes said.

“We’ve approached a number of mining companies about employing mature-age workers and all insist they don’t discriminate based on age.

“However, I believe, because of a lot of myths and misconceptions - many of which revolve around workplace health and safety, technological expertise, learning skills and adaptability – matureage workers are not being considered.” www.olderworkers.com.au director Shane Higgins said that, despite the creation of the 2004 Age Discrimination Act,

even highly qualified mature-age workers continued to be ignored by the resources industry.

“I’ve approached the mining industry numerous times about employing skilled mature-age workers and the typical response is they recruit through their own systems,” he said.

“But in doing so, many look at employing 457 visa people and completely ignore a valuable Australian resource. For this reason, I believe a lot of education needs to be done in the HR areas of mining companies.”

Mr Higgins has 15,000 registered mature-age jobseekers – including a raft of professional people - on his website, which includes a mining category.

MMG, which operates Century mine in north-west Queensland, is among the organisations tapping into such resources.

3

adage.com.au

“MMG recognises that diversity is good for business and strives to attract and employ people from different cultures, genders and age groups,” MMG spokeswoman Sally Cox said.

“Mature-age workers are one group in the spectrum that offer the skills, experience and knowledge that we seek in our potential employees.

“Like many other groups, we look to promote our vacancies to them through recruitment websites such as Adage.”

Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan said older age had become a negative in the Australian employment sector and warned serious problems were inevitable unless practices changed.

Not changing could see the creation of a class of older people who were very often willing and perfectly capable of working being forced into becoming a burden on the public purse at the same time as the nation faced a worsening skills shortage, she said.

Bechtel opens its arms to adult apprentices More than 1700 skilled workers have expressed interest in Bechtel’s decision to employ 400 adult apprentices to work on Gladstone-Curtis Island’s three liquefied natural gas projects, the company reports.

Bechtel – an engineering, project management and construction company – has operated in the Gladstone region for more than 30 years.

It will work closely with the Federal Government’s National Apprenticeships Program (NAP) in undertaking the adult apprenticeship scheme.

Bechtel’s Australian managing director Andy Greig said experienced workers would have their existing skills recognised and be given the opportunity to complete the competencies required without compromise.

The end result would be full trade qualifications in just 18 months instead of the traditional four years, he said.

“This innovative program is a win-win and we are pleased to be part of it,” Mr Greig said.

“It will help meet the demand for skilled labour and give adult workers

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with uncompleted apprenticeships, or those working in allied industries without a trade qualification, the chance to complete an apprenticeship in a reduced amount of time.”

Mr Greig acknowledged the work done by the Federal Government’s NAP team under the sponsorship of Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations Minister Senator Chris Evans.

“We have been working closely with other industries to support Premier Anna Bligh’s jobs push in Queensland and we

have been pleased to get involved with this innovative Commonwealth-driven scheme,” Mr Greig said.

“For us, the initiative is very closely linked with Premier Bligh’s Jobs for the Regions program and I am pleased to say that recruits will be sourced from all around Queensland as well as other parts of Australia.”

Once recruited in a series of intakes, the new apprentices would begin work progressively over the year, a Bechtel spokesperson said.

4

NEWS

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Rent cap proposal under ďŹ re Housing affordability remains a pressing issue in resource centres, as governments toss up a range of potential solutions, writes Jan Green.

A Labor Party proposal to cap rents has raised concerns of a worsening in the availability of affordable homes in the Surat Basin region.

Surat Basin Corporation chief executive officer David Breese said the party’s draft platform, put to its recent national conference, proposed that Labor would monitor the rent costs in the private rental market and examine mechanisms to maintain affordability such as the introduction of rent capping legislation. “We are already suffering an affordability crisis in the Surat Basin region and capping rents would in all likelihood turn off property investors from bringing more homes to the market,� Mr Breese said.

With demand outstripping availability, he said rental prices had reached unaffordable levels in the region, with increases in

the vicinity of 55 per cent in Chinchilla and 95 per cent in Roma since the 2006 census. “A four-bedroom home in Chinchilla currently rents for upwards of $550 per week, compared with similar properties in Toowoomba – just a two-anda-half-hour drive east - being a minimum of $200 per week cheaper,� Mr Breese said.

A spokesman for Federal Housing Minister Robert McClelland said the Labor Party platform recognised the need to ensure affordable housing for all Australians, adding that the government was aware that mining towns were experiencing significant pressures as a result of the booming resources sector. “The government is committed to working with stakeholders to increase the supply of affordable housing across Australia, including in mining regions and has implemented a number of

David Breese Surat Basin Corporation chief executive officer

programs – these include the National Rent Affordability Scheme and the Housing Affordability Fund - that are helping to address housing affordability pressures,� he said.

The issue is also being addressed by the Queensland Government, with the establishment of a Rent

Affordability Taskforce for Resource Communities.

This includes representatives from the Residential Tenancies Authority, the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) and relevant government departments.

The purpose of the taskforce is to assess the rental market in resource towns, develop strategies to provide more affordable rental and provide additional support and advocacy to renters, according to Housing Minister Karen Struthers.

Ms Struthers said changes to social housing eligibility would allow greater flexibility in resource towns.

She acknowledged the rapid growth in the resources industry had made local housing supply and affordability a major issue. “We are taking action to provide more support and we are addressing this concern,� Ms Struthers said.

However, following a letter on behalf of Local Government and Special Minister of State Paul Lucas, Mr Breese is not

satisfied action is being taken quickly or effectively enough.

The communication acknowledged that the delivery of homes in the Roma Urban Development Area was behind schedule due to issues arising during the development application process.

It went on to state that the ULDA anticipated construction of homes in stage 1 would start in March this year.

This will see the release of the first 32 lots providing up to 46 dwellings. It is understood that each of eight stages of the development will deliver about 50 homes to the market. “Additionally, two thirds of the homes to be built in the Roma Urban Development Area will be required to meet the affordability target set by ULDA,� the letter stated.

But Mr Breese was not confident they would be affordable, saying it would be interesting to see the price structure for the properties and if they fell within the government’s affordability definitions.

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The Mining Advocate | January 2012

5

State counters status slide A poor result in a Fraser Institute ranking has drawn comment from the resource sector and government, pushing Queensland’s strengths.

The Queensland exploration and mining sector is successfully addressing issues which contributed to a recent downgrade in the state’s investment status, according to an industry leader.

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) president Alice Clark was commenting after Queensland’s investment status internationally was lowered from 8th to 38th in the Fraser Institute’s most recent metal, mining and exploration company report.

Ms Clark, who is also a Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) member and Queensland resource industry ambassador, said while the report focused attention on what needed to be done in some areas, she did not totally agree with the findings.

She attributed the downgrade partially to remaining government inertia in dealing with overlapping and conflicting legislation issues.

Ms Clark said also that recent improvements would take a little more time to be reflected in the results of surveys like the Fraser Institute’s.

Queensland Employment, Skills and Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe was adamant confidence in the state’s resources sector was growing, not declining, with record investment in the industry over the past 12 months.

“In the Bowen Basin alone there are some 38 new projects targeted for development in the next six years. These include 23 new coal mines, 12 coal seam

mining boom now sees Queensland well down the path of addressing many of these issues and other imperatives beyond the remit of that study,” she said.

“That’s not to say that there is no more room for improvement, but rather that the right people are focusing on the right things for Queensland to emerge as a key destination for exploration and mining in the not-toodistant future.”

Ms Clark said Queensland was highly prospective for minerals and energy.

“Having highly prospective ground will always be a key criterion for both exploration and mining interests,” she said.

“This is supported by State Government geoscientific funding providing a pipeline of pre-competitive geoscientific data and, in addition, the GSQ (Geological Survey of Queensland) budget allocation is considered high when compared with other peer allocations.

“This is evident in the large percentage of the state that has undergone survey by gravity and airborne magnetics since 2005.”

Ms Clark cited the number of exploration and development permits granted as a further positive factor.

“Recently, we have seen strong increases in the granting of coal, petroleum and geothermal permits,” she said.

Key projects under way or proposed for Queensland

Alice Clark AusIMM president

gas (CSG) projects and three mineral projects,” he said.

“With liquefied natural gas (LNG) - three fully financed projects investing $45 billion in our economy mean Queensland will be the first place in the world to convert CSG into LNG for export.

“Contrary to the Fraser Institute’s survey, these massive projects reflect confidence in, not concern about, Queensland’s investment status.”

Ms Clark identified the QEC’s collaboration with government representatives to pull together key stakeholders from a broad spectrum of industry and policy development to address the observations of the Fraser Institute and other areas as a positive move to enhance Queensland’s investment status.

“This initiative coupled with the effects of the sustained

• $35B Australia Pacific LNG, up to 6000 jobs.

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(BG Group’s Queensland Gas Company) • $7B Alpha open-cut coal mine, rail and port project • $10.9B Carmichael coal mine and rail project • $8.3B Galilee Coal (China First) project near Alpha • $6.6B Kevin’s Corner coal project in the Galilee Basin • The 250MW Solar Dawn solar thermal-gas hybrid power plant near Chinchilla. The Commonwealth Government will contribute $464M to the project and the Queensland Government $75M. Source: Office of Queensland Employment, Skills and Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

“This is encouraging, especially when compared to the number of permits granted during 2004 and 2005.

“On the flip side, many companies looking to explore in Queensland are very aware of the potential restrictive impacts of the changes to land access arrangements, compensation arrangements with landowners and other regulatory, legislative and policy directions including wild rivers and strategic cropping land policies that have occurred of late.

“Government policy advisors need to remain focused on the impacts of changing policy, especially as things develop quickly in the global market.”

Ms Clark pointed out that exploration in particular was an expensive, high risk/reward-ratio business.

“Explorers will rightly argue that success comes but it involves long lead times and huge commitment on the part of companies,” she said.

“A level of uncertainty develops where there is continual change in legislation and this can have a devastating long-term effect on this industry.

“On the human side of things, Queensland is seen as a fantastic place to live. Great weather, world-class universities and a variety of environments to choose from – everyone wants to live here.

“Another positive to look forward to is that Brisbane will play host to the 34th International Geological Congress in August.

“This is a major opportunity for Queensland to showcase itself as an exploration and mining destination for an international audience.”

• State’s exploration scorecard Page 24.

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NEWS

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Broncos charge into coal towns NRL stars have been saddling up to share their knowledge with central Queensland youngsters under a regional tour program.

Anglo American showed its support for regional communities when Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Hannant and former international Mick Hancock recently ran skills clinics in Biloela and Moura for more than 250 school students.

The clinics - part of the Anglo American Broncos 2011/2012 Regional Tour Program – constituted the third visit by members of the NRL team to Anglo American communities in four weeks, with players also spending time in Moranbah and Middlemount.

The Banana Shire tour kicked off with a trip to Biloela State High School followed by a skills clinic attended by more than 120 students from Biloela Primary, Redeemer Lutheran Primary, Thangool, Goovigen and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary schools.

Dawson mine general manager

Brett Thompson said Anglo American was thrilled to bring the key Broncos players to town to meet the locals and pass on some skills.

“We are proud to support our local schools’ health and physical education curriculum by bringing the Broncos to town to meet the local kids,” he said.

The players also visited Dawson mine, stopping at Moura High School as special guests for the year 12 graduating ceremony.

A clinic was then held at Moura State Primary school for more than 100 students from Moura and Theodore.

“It was great to see the look on the kids’ faces when meeting some of their football heroes,” Mr Thompson said.

“It was a nice way to follow up after our visit to the schools last year with Jamie Whincup and his V8 Supercar.

Bronco stars Dale Copley and Corey Norman, with Broncos development officer Michael De Vere, share football skills with Middlemount’s junior rugby league players.

“The sponsorship of the Broncos ticks all the boxes for us as we promote active, healthy lifestyles for our local students

while promoting employment and training opportunities with Anglo American. We have a bright future in Queensland and

by partnering with a well-known and respected Queensland team we can really bring that future into the limelight.”

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NEWS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

7

Indigenous call on abandoned mines

‘Let us fix them’ Rehabilitation works have been suggested as a way of providing skills opportunities for local communities, writes Jan Green.

Abandoned mine sites not only pose a flood management risk, they are an environmental issue Aboriginal communities want to fix, according to the head of an indigenous mining contractor.

RBY Projects managing director Derek Flucker - who is also the manager of Gulf-based mining contractor Northern Project Contracting - said RBY had approached the State Government more than two years ago to set up programs for local Aboriginal people to rehabilitate abandoned mine sites.

“There are thousands of abandoned mine sites around Queensland and we saw it as a great opportunity for Aboriginal people to receive relevant training which could be used to address the skills shortage in the mining industry,” Mr Flucker said.

“To use abandoned sites in this way would enable local indigenous people to be looking after their land, which is what

they want to do, while receiving good skills which they can then transfer to the mining industry.

“We undertook research to find out about abandoned mines and they provide a great opportunity for local people to remain in their communities while receiving meaningful training and wages.

“Indigenous people are concerned about the environmental impact these abandoned sites have on their land and are keen to see that the land is returned to its original state.”

Mr Flucker said the Queensland Government received bonds from mining companies to ensure sites that were eventually abandoned – either through neglect or because the mining company went bankrupt – could be properly rehabilitated.

“But we have been told the government didn’t have enough bond money to rehabilitate the abandoned

mine sites that exist,” he said.

“The government is throwing significant resources into the skills shortage for the mining industry and this is a clear solution because it addresses the shortage, addresses environmental concerns and achieves employment for local indigenous communities.”

Work is under way on South Boxcut, a continuation of the Dugald River project north-east of Mount Isa.

MMG backs Dugald River MMG is investing a further $157 million in the development of its Dugald River project, described as one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc deposits.

The company said the planned mine, 85km northeast of Mount Isa, would produce about 200,000 tonnes of zinc in zinc concentrate annually over a mine life of more than 22 years.

The next stage of project development will include detailed engineering, metallurgical testwork, long-lead time major equipment procurement, continuation of early site works and underground decline development.

MMG will also advance the development of key local infrastructure such as the load-out facility, power and accommodation.

The investment follows the recent State Government approval of the environmental impact

statement for the underground zinc mine.

MMG chief executive officer Andrew Michelmore said production could begin at Dugald River in early 2014.

“Dugald River is one of the largest undeveloped zinc deposits globally and a key feature of MMG’s future project pipeline,” he said.

“While we are committed to exhaustively exploring all options to extend mine life at our nearby Century mine, all mines are finite resources and the company is progressing a number of growth projects internationally to replace Century in zinc equivalent production.

“The Dugald River project is an important part of this strategy.

“Following the completion of this phase of works, the board will consider final approval of project development and construction.”

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8

INDUSTRY UPDATE COAL AND GAS

Middlemount hooks up The new rail spur directly linking the Middlemount Coal Project to the Goonyella rail network, enabling exports through the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, has been officially opened.

Built by John Holland, the project included development of a 16.5km electrified rail spur that will enable up to 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of coal to be transported for export.

Rio Tinto rail deals QR National has signed a 10-year contract with Rio Tinto Coal Australia to haul 3mtpa from the Blair AtholClermont operations to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal from this year.

The performance-based contract is the second secured by QR National for coal haulage via the new Goonyella to Abbot Point (GAP) infrastructure, following an announcement last year of a 10year contract with Jellinbah Resources to haul up to 6mtpa from the Lake Vermont mine.

The GAP project, which connects the Goonyella and Newlands coal systems, was officially opened by Acting Premier Andrew Fraser and QR National chairman John Prescott in December.

Meanwhile Asciano’s Pacific National coal haulage business has entered a 10-year contract to transport 8mtpa of coal from Rio Tinto Coal Australia’s Hail Creek Mine and 0.5mtpa from its Kestrel operation.

The contract, from November 2013, involves haulage to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal via the electric Goonyella rail system.

Super port plans The State Government has announced plans for a super-expansion of the Port of Abbot Point near Bowen.

The government had expected to give the green light for an expansion to seven terminals, but Premier Anna Bligh said a spike in interest from some of the country’s biggest mining companies would push the total number

of proposed terminals to nine. These developments could be worth $9 billion in investment, she said.

January 2012 |

Transport hub proposal

The Queensland Government is contributing $17,000 towards a prefeasibility study into the establishment of a national warehousing and freight distribution centre in central Queensland. Depending on size, the The Port of Abbot Point has one project would involve an investment of export terminal (T1), and two under $200-$500 million and could create up development (T2to 200 permanent jobs 3). This expansion in the region.

After 16 years of recruiting proposal involves The intermodal in the mining industry terminals four to nine logistics hub could MPi has you covered.

(T4-9), with first coal handle a wide variety of to be exported in 2017. non-bulk cargo such as “It will increase the export capacity of the port to almost 400 million tonnes per annum - making it one of the largest coal export facilities in the world,” Ms Bligh said.

The preferred mining equipment and respondents for agricultural products the expansion are and could include a Anglo American fresh food market and Metallurgical Coal, accommodation for Macmines Austasia, truck drivers.

North Queensland The CQ Intermodal Call 07 3220 3129 Coal Terminal (a miningpeople.com.au Logistics Group has consortium including engaged the AEC Peabody Energy and Group to conduct the New Hope Corporation), Rio Tinto, $50,000 study. Xstrata Coal, Gladstone Vale and Waratah Coal.

Ports Corporation and the Rockhampton Regional Council have contributed funds.

Significant status

The proposed Fitzroy Terminal development 50km south-east of Rockhampton has been declared a significant project by Co-ordinatorGeneral Keith Davies. The project is a $1.2 billion proposal to construct a coal export facility adjacent to Port Alma with export capacity of 22mtpa.

PCI source at Rockwood Endocoal says a major coal deposit recently discovered at Rockwood would be suitable for use in PCI applications.

The company previously announced a 505 per cent resource increase to 312.5 million tonnes at the site, northeast of Dysart in central Queensland.

“Endocoal can now commence conceptual mine planning at Rockwood with great confidence. We have a great resource with significant further potential to create value for our shareholders,” chief executive officer Tim Hedley said

Redpath coal drive Mining contractor Redpath has launched a dedicated Australian coal division after gaining a major coal drivage operation in central Queensland.

The company said the project was won on the back of Redpath’s innovative work on the Kestrel Mine Extension (KME) project near Emerald.

Redpath Australia chief executive officer Rob Nichols said one example of Redpath’s innovative approach to coal mining was the sliding floor technology it had developed at that project.

The new contract requires 12.5km of coal drivage mining to be completed over two years, with 77 personnel operating the site.

Meandu contract extended Thiess has been awarded a $185 million one-year extension to its contract to

The Mining Advocate

operate the Meandu coal mine, taking it to December 2012. Meandu supplies up to 5.5 million tonnes of coal per year to Stanwell Corporation’s Tarong and Tarong North power stations in Queensland’s South Burnett region.

Bundi bulks up MetroCoal has announced a substantial resource increase for its Bundi project, in the Wandoan area of the Surat Basin.

The increase in the inferred resource category of 900 million tonnes takes the Bundi project coal resource estimate to 1561.8 million tonnes.

Dawson job expanded Leighton Contractors has been awarded a $120 million, one-year contract extension for the provision of mining services at Anglo American’s Dawson Mine, outside Moura.

The contract has also been expanded to include an additional excavator fleet to increase production capacity and scale up project management services.

Leighton Mining has held the contract at Dawson Mine since 2010 and employs about 150 people at the site.

Macarthur takeover complete Peabody Energy recently announced that it had completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares in Macarthur Coal, taking 100 per cent ownership of the Australian coal company.

“The Macarthur purchase advances Peabody’s strategy of expanding our global platform to serve major global demand centres and raising our contribution from higher-margin international assets,” said Peabody chairman and chief executive officer Gregory H. Boyce.

“Our focus now is on driving integration and operations improvement and completing expansion projects.”

Macarthur has a number of mine development and infrastructure projects under way in addition to its existing Coppabella and Moorvale coal mines in central Queensland.

INDUSTRY UPDATE COAL AND GAS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

Arrow closes in on target Arrow Energy’s proposed multibilliondollar CSG-LNG project has taken a major step forward with the lodging of three draft environmental impact statements with the Queensland Government.

The statements apply to an LNG plant planned for Curtis Island off Gladstone, the upstream development of the Surat gas project near Dalby and the 600km Arrow Bowen Pipeline to transport CSG from Arrow’s Bowen Basin gas fields to Curtis Island.

The company also recently awarded engineering consultancy Arup the tender for the concept design of a 6km tunnel to transport CSG from Gladstone to the planned Arrow LNG Plant on Curtis Island.

Excavated about 35m beneath the Gladstone Harbour seabed, the proposed tunnel to Curtis Island will be one of the longest offshore tunnels in Queensland and is expected to take about three and a half years to build and fit out.

John Holland in $100m deal John Holland has won a marine subcontract worth more than $100 million as part of the development of Australia Pacific LNG’s proposed Curtis Island LNG facility.

Under the subcontract, to be delivered for Bechtel Australia, John Holland will design and construct a new product loading facility comprising a 168m jetty

and loading platform. Construction of the new marine facility will commence in May 2012 with completion expected in 2014.

Second train plan firms Australia Pacific LNG and China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) have signed a heads of agreement establishing non-binding key commercial terms for the sale and purchase of an additional 3.3 million tonnes per annum of LNG through to 2035.

This would finalise the marketing of gas from the Gladstone project’s second train. The deal will also see Sinopec subscribe for additional shares in Australia Pacific LNG, taking its equity interest from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

ConocoPhillips’ and Origin Energy’s respective ownership interests will reduce to 37.5 per cent.

Origin Energy chairman Kevin McCann said Australia Pacific LNG was well placed to make a final investment decision on the second train in early 2012.

The Sinopec signing followed Australia Pacific LNG inking a binding heads of agreement with Kansai Electric for the sale and purchase of about 1 million tonnes of LNG per year for 20 years.

Transfield wins $19.5m job QGC, developer of the Queensland Curtis LNG Project, has awarded a $19.5 million contract to Australian firm Transfield Services for gas field work in the Surat Basin.

The five-year contract, which is expected to generate $10 million of work in the first year, includes capital works and plant maintenance as well as other services directly related to the project such as fabrication and mechanical, electrical and instrumentation work.

Transfield Services has indicated it intends to use several local contractors under the contract and will permanently relocate personnel to the Chinchilla area to enhance capacity in the region to support the industry.

Building local business

9

LNG, QGC and GLNG - will collectively contribute $13.5 million; while Arrow Energy has committed to provide funding should its project receive final investment decision approval.

“Through the Gladstone Foundation, the benefits of the CSG-LNG industry will flow into the community and make an ongoing significant difference to the development of social infrastructure in and around Gladstone,” Australia Pacific LNG chief executive officer Page Maxson said.

Ichthys ties up sales

QGC has announced plans to expand a pilot program to build the capability of local business with a $1 million contribution to its Momentum Business Program.

Proponents of the Ichthys LNG project in the Northern Territory have finalised sales of the total volume to be produced.

The pilot program, delivered by QMI Solutions in partnership with Enterprise Connect and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, began in June 2011 with QGC providing $230,000 to help local businesses implement best practices to strengthen their capabilities in people, processes and capacity.

and Toho Gas for the supply of 2.52mtpa of LNG.

The program is designed to help local and indigenous businesses working in non-LNG and LNG-related industries.

Community contribution Gladstone’s major LNG players will contribute to a trust fund set up to boost social infrastructure across the region.

Three proponents - Australia Pacific

Agreements were reached recently with CPC Corporation, Chubu Electric

This comes after a consortium of five major Japanese utility companies in December agreed to purchase 4mtpa of LNG from 2017 from the proposed $20 billion Ichthys LNG project.

Proponents INPEX and TOTAL signed a legally binding sales and purchase agreement with Tokyo Electric Power Company, Tokyo Gas Co, Kansai Electric Power Co, Osaka Gas and Kyushu Electric Power Company.

The NT Government recently granted development approval for the Ichthys project to construct an accommodation village at Howard Springs.

It is proposed to house up to 2700 people, plus an extra 800 if required.

10

INDUSTRY UPDATE HARD ROCK

January 2012 |

Come on down

for the construction and fabrication of the Rocklands project.

Construction begins The Queensland Government has granted the mining lease for Evolution Mining’s Mt Carlton gold-silver-copper project in North Queensland, allowing construction to begin.

Evolution said detailed engineering and procurement for Mt Carlton was nearing completion, with all major equipment ordered or fabrication commenced.

Larpro Projects has been awarded the construction management role at Mt Carlton and has commenced resourcing the project.

An underground haul truck carts ore out of the portal at Ernest Henry Mining, outside Cloncurry in north-west Queensland.

Xstrata Copper’s Ernest Henry Mining has passed a major milestone in its $589 million extension project, with the start of underground production.

The shift from open-pit mining is a key part of the project to extend the north-west Queensland site’s operations to at least 2024.

During the first phase of underground operations, ore will be trucked via a decline at about 3 million tonnes per annum producing about 25,000 tonnes of copper and 35,000 ounces of gold in concentrate.

Following the commissioning of the underground shaft in 2013, production will ramp up to 6 million tonnes per annum producing 50,000 tonnes of copper and 70,000 ounces of gold in concentrate.

EHM general manager Myles Johnston said the site’s new underground mine and magnetite processing plant would create and sustain jobs and provide ongoing economic benefits for the region and for the state of Queensland.

of the Roseby project area. It said the significance of the Ivy Ann deposit was its potential to provide high-grade supplementary feed to the proposed new mine and mill at Little Eva.

Resource looking rosy Altona Mining has announced a further resource upgrade for its Roseby project in north-west Queensland, taking the estimate to 210 million tonnes at 0.6 per cent copper and 0.06g/t gold for 1.2 million tonnes of copper and 395,000 ounces of gold.

ABB wins hoist job

The revised estimate for the Little Eva resource within the project is 108 million tonnes at 0.52 per cent copper and 0.09g/t gold.

The company also recently announced good drilling results from the Ivy Ann copper-gold deposit, 30km south-east

Power and automation technology group ABB has won a $24 million contract to supply an ore hoisting system for Xstrata Zinc’s George Fisher Mine near Mount Isa. ABB said the ground-mounted friction hoist would carry ore from a depth of 1135m and help increase the mine’s annual production 30 per cent by 2013.

The Mining Advocate

Study steps up Mungana Goldmines has completed the first stage of its bankable feasibility study for the Mungana gold project, in the Chillagoe region of North Queensland.

The company described progress on the study as a milestone in its strategy to position Mungana as a mid-tier gold producer over the next three years.

Stage two is scheduled for completion in the September quarter of 2012, with GR Engineering undertaking detailed design work for the development of a plant to treat 4mtpa.

The proposed gold project will encompass mining of open pits at the Red Dome and Mungana deposits, with subsequent underground mining at both sites.

Mining leases approved The Queensland Government has approved the mining leases which encompass CuDeco’s Rocklands group copper project in the Cloncurry district.

The company recently entered into a share placement agreement with M&G Investments to raise $32 million.

The deal is subject to shareholder approval.

CuDeco said the funds would be used

New chief at Century Australia’s largest zinc mine is kicking off 2012 with a new general manager.

Former Barminco chief operating officer Mark Adams, who joined MMG in November 2011, officially took the reins at Century mine in north-west Queensland last week following the departure of Clip-on Safety Glasses, the Karl Spaleck. benchmark in safety Eye ware.

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Mr Adams will Meeting the new high provide operations standards for 2012 leadership for www.cliponsafeshades.com MMG’s Dugald Mobile: 0419 787 907 River project, about 85km north-east of Mount Isa.

Metallica cashed up for 2012 Metallica Minerals has added more than $12 million to its cash reserve strength for the start of 2012 with the sale of 9 million ordinary shares in ASX-listed coal group MetroCoal.

The company recently began a detailed drilling program across high-grade scandium mineralisation within its Lucknow deposit at the southern end of its flagship NORNICO tri-metal project north-west of Townsville in Queensland.

Exco executive move Geoff Laing has been appointed as managing director of Exco Resources.

Mr Laing has held the position of acting chief executive officer since the resignation of the previous managing director, Michael Anderson, in August.

“This appointment sets a new phase for the company following the successful sale of the Cloncurry copper project to Xstrata in June 2011,” an Exco Board release stated.

Exco retains a substantial exploration package in north-west Queensland as well as the White Dam gold project in South Australia.

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INDUSTRY UPDATE HARD ROCK

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

Excellent electrics MineLec’s work on the CopperChem plant in north-west Queensland has attracted honours at the Queensland annual excellence awards held by Master Electricians Australia and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA).

The Townsville-based electrical contractor received the Industrial Project of the Year award for its electrical installation work for a new copper concentrator plant at CopperChem, where it also made modifications and upgrades to the site’s copper crystal plant. MineLec employee John Birt was named runner-up in the Apprentice of the Year category.

Changing of the guard

Ms Dark said the chamber planned to build on the success of the Mining the North West Minerals Province conference, with a full-day conference being offered on Monday, May 14.

Masterplan on track An initiative to produce an integrated, regional supply chain masterplan for North and north-west Queensland is making good progress, with a full reference group expected to consider an interim report early this year.

The Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ) established the Northern and North West Queensland Supply Chain Working Group in 2011 to focus on the region’s long-term economic infrastructure needs and to shape a more reliable and transparent planning and investment environment for these requirements.

Photo: Rob Parsons

Positive results for TNG

She left a corporate communications role with Xstrata to take up the job.

Chamber vice-president Ken Draffen said Ms Dark had been involved in facilitating the strategic direction of the chamber over the past few years as a consultant and was a key driver in the growth of the Xstrata Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic in 2010.

One of the chamber’s key events is the

All steamed up

annual Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo, to be held on May 16 to 18 this year.

“The 50 Year Plan is the first such endeavour by any region in Australia to develop a demand-driven freight infrastructure blueprint,” MITEZ executive officer Glen Graham said.

Zoe Dark is the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce’s new manager, replacing Patricia O’Callaghan in the role.

11

Australian resources company TNG has reported positive interim results from the prefeasibility study on its Mt Peake iron-vanadium project in the Northern Territory. The company said it planned to begin a definitive feasibility study in the first quarter of 2012.

New shipment proposal Western Desert Resources is investigating the potential use of the McArthur River Mine loading facility on the Gulf of Carpentaria to ship iron ore from its Roper Bar project in the Northern Territory.

Package boiler project leader Paulo Ferreira inspects QAL’s third package boiler.

Queensland Alumina Limited’s (QAL) Gladstone refinery boilerhouse is equipped with additional steam supply in the form of a new 143-tonne package boiler which will be commissioned in March 2012.

The production of steam is an integral part of the alumina refining process and the package boiler will produce 100 tonnes of steam per hour at a pressure of 5000 kilopascals.

QAL managing director Phil Campbell said the boiler would bring environmental benefits along with increased operational stability for QAL’s existing seven coal-fired boilers and two package boilers.

“When the package boilers are in use our greenhouse gas emissions are greatly reduced as less carbon dioxide is produced per tonne of steam compared to the coal-fired boilers,” he said.

“This latest addition, the third, will further bolster our steam supplies on site while taking advantage of utilising gas.”

The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Xstrata Zinc to allow the feasibility study to go ahead.

Western Desert Resources said access to the facility would accelerate the development timeframe for the Roper Bar project, with iron ore exports expected to commence from late 2012 to early 2013.

Hair we go again Workers in Queensland’s resources sector are being challenged to grow their hair, beards or moustaches before losing the lot to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Launching the 2012 World’s Greatest Shave Mining and Energy Challenge, Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland acting chief executive officer Keiran Mylrea said he was confident the industry would throw its weight behind the cause.

“A total of 51 mining and energy sites donated their time, money and hair to raise an amazing $400,000 in 2011 and the challenge is now on to better this fundraising total in 2012,” he said.

The 2012 Mine Challenge Ambassador, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche, has committed to shaving his beard and moustache off for the cause — going clean-shaven for the first time in 30 years.

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BETWEEN SHIFTS

January 2012 |

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The Mining Advocate

PHOTOS: Roslyn Budd

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Annette and Dr Neil Bartels (Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme), Ian and Caroline Donaldson (Rex - Regional Express).

Sandra and Tony McGrady (representing Townsville Port Authority).

Dan Murphy (Xstrata Copper) and Sherry Johnston.

Glenn Hall, Matt Bowen and Ashton Sims (all from the North Queensland Cowboys)

Rae Riwhi (Centacare) and James Evans McLeod (Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme - Mount Isa).

Tom Lehmann (Tomcat Equipment Services), Melissa Bell (Bush Children’s scheme ) and Justin Anderson (Dave Clancy Electrical).

Robbie Katter and Gary Asmus (both representing Mount Isa City Council).

Bryant Schwengler (Xstrata Zinc) with wife Tracy.

Mount Isa Airport guests Margaret Hahipene, Shaylene Kum Sing and Carla Golar.

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The Mining Advocate | January 2012

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Joanna Schuurman and Caroline Morrissey (both from the Queensland Resources Council).

Michael Roche (QRC) and Sue Henderson, winner of the 2011 QRC Chief Executive’s Award.

Sandra Waters (Santos) with Milena Roussekov and Steve Gilbert (both QGC).

Mike Scanlan and Michael Ryan (both from Balance Resources).

Katie-Anne Mulder (QRC) with Deborah Kenworthy and Matthew Butt (both Freehills).

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Justin and Cherie Burnside (MEC Mining Mackay).

Simon and Jai Cohn (MEC Mining Brisbane).

Maria and Ted Boulton (MEC Mining Mackay).

Clint and Pure Spencer (GHD Gladstone).

Dennis Wogan (Engineers Australia) and his wife Tricia.

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BETWEEN SHIFTS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

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Nicole Brunker (Educational Facility Management), Darryl McKay (Watpac), Nic Willis (Kaytone Group) and Trudie Bradbury (Cardno Ullman and Nolan).

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Ann Perkins (Rio Tinto Coal), Jacqui Schultz (Downer EDI Mining), Stephanie Gower (Fit 4 Duty) and Fiona Talbot (Rio Tinto Technology and Innovation).

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Regional Engineering Teams

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Leading a new wave of expertise A former academic guiding the next generation of geoscientists has earned kudos among his professional peers, writes Jan Green.

Rockfield Technologies senior geoscientist Dr John McLellan was recognised as the 2011 Resources Professional of the Year at the recent Townsville region Engineering and Resources Excellence Awards.

The economic geologist was acknowledged for providing invaluable mentoring to the next generation; successfully transitioning from an academic career; and for his valued contribution to business,

education and research in the resources sector.

His skill as a subject matter expert who actively promotes sharing and further knowledge development within the industry and his dedication as a technically focused individual willing to share his knowledge were also acknowledged as major factors in the award.

Other winners in the excellence

Rock-solid local foundations Rockfield Technologies Australia, a Townsville-based professional engineering company, provides a broad range of specialist consulting services to the public and private sectors.

Chief executive officer Tim Reynolds said the business had grown steadily over 11 years from a mechanical engineering base into a multi-disciplinary company which included a talented group of specialist engineers and geoscientists, generally recruited at a local level.

“The management of Rockfield has offered opportunities to unique and talented professional staff and graduates to join the company and work with a collegial team environment that is dynamic, challenging and provides a very rewarding career,” Mr Reynolds said.

In keeping with the wherepossible, local employment approach, two of Rockfield’s key staff - Dr Govinda Pandey and Dr John McLellan (see story above) have James Cook University links.

Dr Pandey is Rockfield’s senior structural engineer, with

key areas of expertise including structural health monitoring, forensic investigation, seismic design, structural remediation and retrofitting.

These skills have been acquired over years of experience in Japan, where he was involved in cuttingedge research programs, as well as in Thailand and Australia.

Dr McLellan is Rockfield’s senior geoscientist, with years

of experience working in varied worldwide terrains and geological systems including in New Zealand, Africa and Australia.

Rockfield’s services include certified design and design audits, predictive engineering, root cause analysis, fatigue life analysis, engineering instrumentation and drafting as well as geotechnical and predictive mineral exploration modelling and consulting.

Recognition for nation’s regional professionals Engineers Australia’s declaration of 2012 as the Year of the Regional Engineering Team highlights regional Australia as the heart of engineering.

The four key strategic areas to be addressed during the year are: • To improve access to continuing professional development for regionally based members;

• To increase awareness of engineering opportunities in regional areas; • To promote equity for all members of Engineers Australia; and • To generate an understanding of the value of the regional engineering team.

The Year of the Regional Engineering Team will be launched in Darwin on February 13.

Geoscientist Dr John McLellan - winner of the Townsville region’s 2011 Resources Professional of the Year Award.

awards included: Mark Daniell from BHP Billiton Cannington Professional Engineer of the Year, Brian Wright from AECOM - Hall of Honour, Clint Spencer from GHD - Young Engineer of the Year, and Jill Parsons from Project Services - Woman in Engineering 2011.

Rockfield Technologies Australia won the Resources Project of the Year award and a wastewater upgrade project involving AECOM, the Townsville City Council, Baulderstone and Hunter Water Australia was named Project of the Year in the engineering category.

Dr McLellan said his role at Rockfield Technologies saw him using computer-based numerical modelling codes to simulate the deformation and associated fluid flow that occured in ancient rocks during the transport of metals to form mineral deposits.

“These advanced methods provide a new way for mineral explorers to try to understand how mineral deposits are formed, in and near structurally complex zones, thus potentially reducing the cost of exploration,” he said.

“This work is also being applied to the expansion of known resources by predicting which sets of conditions were originally

favourable for mineral deposition in deposits that have been only partly mined out.

“This technology allows mining companies to better predict structurally controlled mineralisation and can greatly assist in mineral targeting, from regional greenfields through to local mine scale. This is the only commercial application of these techniques in North Queensland for the minerals sector and one of very few in the resource sector nationally.”

North Queensland-based applications of his work have had an impact on exploration methods and improved mineral targeting around Mount Isa, the Charters Towers region and close to Townsville.

Since joining Rockfield Technologies, Dr McLellan has worked towards building the business’s geoscience division.

He is contributing to teaching and learning in this area as well as to the JCU’s minerals masters program in geology.

He has also been an active committee member of the North Queensland Branch of AusIMM and is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

MAJOR PROJECTS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

17

All systems go at Moranbah Two mining heavyweights recently committed to major Bowen Basin growth projects expected to deliver first coal within two years.

The Anglo American board has given the green light for the $US1.7 billion Grosvenor metallurgical coal project near Moranbah in central Queensland.

The announcement came hot on the heels of BHP Billiton’s approval of the development of the Caval Ridge mine and Peak Downs mine expansion with first coal expected in 2014.

The greenfield Grosvenor project is situated immediately south of Anglo American’s Moranbah North metallurgical coal mine and is expected to produce 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of metallurgical coal from its underground longwall operation over a projected life of 26 years.

The Grosvenor project is

100 per cent owned by Anglo American and forms a major part of the group’s strategy of tripling production of metallurgical coal from its Australian assets by 2020.

“We are excited to be developing the first growth phase of our planned Moranbah hub, which will drive our target of 12 per cent compound annual production growth by 2020,” Anglo American’s metallurgical coal business chief executive officer Seamus French said.

In its first phase of development, Grosvenor will consist of a single new underground longwall mine and will process its coal through the existing Moranbah North coal handling and preparation plant and train loading facilities.

Outlook from the Moranbah North coal handling and preparation plant, which will process coal from the new Grosvenor longwall operation.

A prefeasibility study is underway for a second longwall.

First development coal from Grosvenor is expected in 2013 and the commissioning of the initial longwall in 2016.

Anglo American said the key mining lease was expected to be granted early this year.

BHP Billiton said its joint venture project with Mitsubishi Development, also located outside Moranbah, would add 8mtpa capacity in export metallurgical coal, including 5.5mtpa from the new opencut Caval Ridge mine. A rapid expansion to 10mtpa is planned.

The initial project is expected to cost $US4.2 billion, of which BHP Billiton’s share is $US2.1 billion.

This will include construction of a new coal handling and preparation plant at Caval Ridge to process product from that mine and the Peak Downs expansion to the south.

News of the approval for this investment followed BHP Billiton’s commitments in March 2011 to the new Daunia mine, the life extension of the Broadmeadow mine and the 11mtpa expansion of the Hay Point Coal Terminal near Mackay.

“This is a continuation of BHP Billiton’s strategy of investing in large, low-cost, expandable mines with long lives,” the company’s metallurgical coal president, Hubie van Dalsen, said.

“Additional expansion projects are being advanced to follow this investment in due course.”

Big cats the cream of commuter transport Five 35m, 400-passenger Enviro Cat ferries and another four 24m boats, each capable of carrying 200 commuters, have been commissioned for use on

Gladstone’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments.

The vessels will transport some 6000 of the 12,000 workers to be employed on the projects between

Enviro Cat ferries will transport workers to Curtis Island LNG construction sites.

Gladstone and Curtis Island.

Aluminum Boats Australia’s larger catamarans are worth in excess of $42 million in total, while the estimated value of the smaller craft – plus a stateof-the-art ambulance boat also produced by the company - is between $8 and $12 million.

“In conjunction with One2Three Naval Architects, we have created a ground-breaking, environmentally friendly transport system which boasts lower fuel use per passenger than a small four-cylinder car,” company director Roy Whitewood said.

Mr Whitewood described the boats as setting an important environmental benchmark.

The hulls have no external protrusions. Their rounded profiles create a minimal impact zone and very shallow drafts have no keel, external intake objects or propeller protrusions.

“The boats have amazing manoeuvrability in all conditions and, with the combination of hull shape and jet propulsion, we have dramatically reduced the vessels’ draft (about 1.3m) - a critical factor in what is predominantly a fairly shallow operating environment,” Mr Whitewood said.

The smaller catamarans, the ambulance boat and two of the 35m boats are already in operation. The third 35m vessel is expected to be commissioned

in February, the fourth in April and the fifth in June.

Mr Whitewood said he took pride in the fact the vessels had been and would continue to be produced by permanent, full-time workers and not contracted out.

“Also, there’s not a lot of entrenched Australian manufacturing in relation to the resources industry – most of the machinery, tanks and pipelines etc are produced overseas – so, as the largest builder of fast ferries on the east coast (if not the southern hemisphere), we are also proud of substantially contributing to the Australian economy,” he said.

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Ivanhoe Australia Ltd is an Australian based company, with principal activities focussed in North-West Queensland. Situated near Mount Isa at our Cloncurry and Osborne operations, we are concentrating on the exploration and development of our portfolio of Copper-GoldMolybdenum-Rhenium projects in this region.

If you are a motivated self

In 2010 Ivanhoe Australia acquired the Osborne mine site, which will be utilised to further develop the Merlin Mine. We are now developing several large projects in this region, and 2011 is a year of rapid growth, with the expansion of our current infrastructure and installation of new facilities, as well as the continuous improvements and upgrades to the Osborne mine site.

starter, with demonstrated safe

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work practices, looking to join

Project Geologists

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We are seeking Mine Geologist, Mining and Geotechnical Engineers to work at our Osborne and Merlin Mines.

cover letter, clearly stating in

We are seeking Project Geologists to work from our exploration site south of Cloncurry. You will report to a Senior Geologist based at the project. We have a large, multi-national exploration team within which mentoring and crosspollination of ideas is actively promoted. There is also scope for future work and interaction with other subsidiaries of the parent company Ivanhoe Mines (Asia and Africa).

the subject ʼeld the role you are

Required skills and experience:

applying for, to our HR team at:

• Over 3 years exploration in IOCG, porphyry, epithermal, VMS and/or Sedex systems.

capable of ʼlling these roles please email your resume and

ial.hr@ivancorp.net.

• A BSc Geology degree; a higher qualiʻcation (Honours, Masters and PhD) is an advantage.

• The ability to plan and run exploration programs (mapping, geochemical and drilling) at the prospect level.

• Strong ʻeld geology skills (mapping and interpretation).

• Drill-hole planning and logging; as well as supervision of drill site activities (sampling etc) and ʻeld crews.

Required skills and experience: • Experience working in a underground mining operation.

• Applicable degree, qualiʻcations and licences • Base metal experience is desirable.

• Demonstrate safe work practices; Ivanhoe Australia has a strong work safety culture.

• Display good leadership traits and be a conscientious team player.

• Current open unrestricted Queensland driver’s licence

Further information on the above roles, and other current vacancies, including skills and experience required, and employment conditions can be found on our website www.ivanhoeaustralia.com

Ivanhoe Australia Limited (Corporate Ofʻce) Level 13, 484 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004 Tel: 03 9090 8800

Ivanhoe Australia feature

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

19

Osborne poised for lift-off Recruitment continues as the countdown for a return to production at this north-west Queensland operation nears its culmination.

Ivanhoe Australia’s Osborne copper-gold mine is on track to start processing ore in March.

The plant refurbishment is almost complete. Final work is being carried out on the fine ore bin, after which the whole plant will be cleaned in preparation for commissioning.

General manager operations Neal Valk said run of mine stockpiles were nearing 60,000 tonnes, ready to be fed into the primary crusher.

“Underground development continues to mine towards slot rise targets with production drilling commenced in two areas to allow blasting of the initial stopes,” he said.

“Other activities being undertaken include underground delineation diamond drilling for the Kulthor ore body as well as raise boring of the ladderways and vent rises “Work is nearing conclusion

Neal Valk Ivanhoe Australia general manager operations

on the main exhaust rise, with a post sink and concrete line of the top 100m of the rise

almost complete. Installation of the exhaust fan - which now allows primary ventilation to be commissioned for the Kulthor production schedule - will be undertaken shortly.”

Mr Valk said Ivanhoe was recruiting processing team operators for familiarisation and training on the Osborne concentrator.

“In addition, we are still looking to fill roles in mine planning and design, geology, metallurgy and mining engineering to get to the production levels required,” he said.

As part of the Osborne copper-gold business,

refurbishment of the Starra 276 mine, about 50km away, has also begun.

“Further costings and evaluations are being undertaken for the mining of the Osborne open pit,” Mr Valk said.

“This project is located adjacent to the Osborne concentrator, and requires eight to 10 months of pre-strip, prior to ore production.

“This assessment will take two months to complete.”

These multiple ore sources would allow full utilisation of the Osborne assets and, in doing so, provide the basis for a strong copper-gold business, Mr Valk said.

Faces of Ivanhoe Australia - north-west Queensland Andrew Willis

Brendan Kerr

Gavin Kaurila

(Townsville resident) – mature-age apprentice

(Townsville) – light vehicle fitter

(Forrest Beach) – process technician

After working in the construction and fishing industries for many years, Andrew Willis has found his career niche and, in his opinion, a great employer in Ivanhoe.

Mr Willis originally worked for the company as a contracted maintenance technician and enjoyed it so much he proposed being given a diesel fitting apprenticeship. To his delight, Ivanhoe agreed.

He is now four months into his four-year apprenticeship.

“I do maintenance on all the underground gear loaders, dump trucks, jumbos, excavators and graders - all the big machinery,” he said.

“It’s a satisfying and enjoyable job and mining is a much more stable industry than either fishing or construction. My career prospects are so much better than they ever were and that means a better life for me and my family.”

Brendan Kerr started as a light vehicle fitter with Ivanhoe a few months ago, but that’s all it has taken to convince him he has the world’s best job.

After completing a contract with the company through an employment agency, he applied for his current position.

“I love it because I get the opportunity to work on lots of different things,” he said.

“One day it’ll be forklifts or cruisers and then the next I could be in the middle of the bush servicing a generator. There’s such a diverse range of things to do.”

Ivanhoe Australia is Mr Kerr’s first mine experience.

But he and partner Madeleine are taking everything, including regular periods of separation in his eight onsix off roster, in their stride.

“It is a sacrifice not being at home every day, but when I do have time off we spend all of it together, so it all works out in the end,” he said.

HELP KEEP US FLYING

Osborne process technician Gavin Kaurila estimates he’s chalked up about 550,000 air miles in the 13 years he has been flying in and out to the north-west Queensland mine site.

He started work there with Placer Dome/Asia Pacific, continued when Barrick took over, then joined the Ivanhoe Australia team just over 12 months ago following the company’s acquisition of the project.

The Townsville/Forrest Beach-based technician said his job entailed a variety of responsibilities including flotation, grinding and general “007” servicing - a humorous reference to secret service agent James Bond who “went everywhere and did everything”.

Mr Kaurila suspects he goes close to holding the commuting FIFO record for Osborne, but doesn’t see it as anything exceptional. “After a while it just becomes part of the way of life,” he said.

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20 Building Mining Communities

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON

Coal giants splash out for Moranbah

PCYC branch manager Sgt Mick Hughes with Gabrielle Biffin, Christopher Crisp and Shakira Turrell on a Canningtonsponsored trip. They are pictured in the Gold Coast hinterland, preparing to abseil down a mountain.

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has contributed $2.5 million and Anglo American Australia $1 million to assist in the upgrade of Moranbah’s Greg Cruickshank Aquatic Centre.

Isaac Mayor Cedric Marshall described the $6.5 million project, which is due to re-open shortly, as more than just a swimming pool.

It would be a hub for relaxation, exercise and family fun, completely revitalising the town square, he said.

BMA asset president Stephen Dumble said the aquatic centre donation was part of BMA’s ongoing commitment to the community which in 2011 saw the company invest $85 million in Moranbah.

Anglo American Metallurgical Coal chief executive officer Seamus French said that organisation’s contribution towards the upgraded children’s play pool was part of Anglo American’s $20 million Moranbah 2020 community infrastructure investment fund.

Cannington digs PCYC work Thanks to the generosity of BHP Billiton’s Cannington Mine, the local council and other corporate support, the Cloncurry Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) has been able to significantly enhance community life through youth development.

Anyone in the town has access, if they wish, to the club’s local youth drop-in centre which is equipped with internet, pool tables, games, cafe and movies.

An indoor activity hall hosts sport and recreation activities such as boxing, netball, a gymnasium, circuit and fitness classes and community events.

“Our branch raises funds via sponsorships, partnerships, grant funding, activity income and fundraising at events such as discos and movie nights,” Cloncurry PCYC branch manager Mick Hughes said.

“The income derived from this is then used to run the club as well as provide diverse and challenging programs and activities based on community social, welfare and cultural needs.”

Sgt Hughes cited BHP’s Field of Dreams program as a great example of how the PCYC’s

relationship with Cannington had benefited the local community.

“For the last two years, Cannington Mine has relied on the PCYC to deliver this annual program, which involves taking 30 local children disadvantaged by socio-economic and remote living circumstances to NRL Cowboys games in Townsville,” he said.

He said the PCYC had recently further strengthened its relationship with Cannington Mine by becoming a major partner in the mine’s 2011 Indigenous Trainee Program.

The club assisted in selecting trainees, provided “ready for work” training, transport and mentoring.

It also put the trainees and Cannington supervisory staff through a five-day self-development course at a PCYC facility on the Gold Coast.

“Cannington Mine and its staff are not just about giving funds to organisations and communities within its area of operations,” Sgt Hughes said.

“They take a real interest in trying to improve the services and lifestyles of all the people who live and work in this region.”

QAL supports tertiary studies Local CQ University student Denica Hope was shocked but thrilled on being recently awarded the 2011 Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) scholarship.

Ms Hope, a first-year bachelor of accounting and diploma of professional practice student, will receive $5000 per annum from QAL throughout her degree.

QAL managing director Phil Campbell said the scholarship provided much-needed financial support to students and their families.

“The QAL scholarship allows us to invest in Gladstone’s future by assisting a student to develop into a valued member of our community and someone who will contribute to the economic sustainability of our local area,” he said.

In addition to Ms Hope’s scholarship, a $1000 encouragement award was presented to bachelor of engineering and diploma of professional practice student Damien Hensen.

The scholarship is open to full-time, first-year CQU students residing in the Gladstone Regional Council area and studying in the areas of applied science QAL managing director Phil Campbell and scholarship including environmental studies, business/commerce, engineering or information technology. winner Denica Hope.

Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley presents high-achieving scholarship winner James Mogg with a Queen’s Scout Award.

Partnership provides step up for CQ youth CQ University and Hail Creek Mine are continuing their support of local students by offering seven scholarships this year.

The Hail Creek Mine CQ University Partnership Program has been offering scholarships worth $4000 over two years to first-year nursing, health, business, science, IT and engineering students since 2009.

Former recipients Levi Houley and James Mogg, who are studying engineering at CQ University, strongly encourage their peers to start applying.

Mr Houley, 21, has only six months to go of his electrical engineering degree and said he was hoping to get a job in the mining industry upon graduation.

“In my course I’ve undertaken two six-month work placements, including at Hail Creek Mine where I was mentored and got to solve real engineering problems,” Mr Houley said.

“For example, I did my thesis on a project that involved modeling the site’s two electrical rope shovels, one that ran on DC drive and the other on AC drive. The AC shovel was the first in Australia of its type so it was a great opportunity to help the team determine the impacts of this shovel on the site’s electricity loading.”

Mr Mogg said it was a challenge moving from year 12 to university.

“With all the changes going on, I was glad that I had the scholarship to help out with expenses like text books,” Mr Mogg said.

“It’s been a great year and now I’m working over the break at the Dumbleton Water Pump Station upgrade to put what I’ve learnt in mechanical engineering into practice.”

For more information on the scholarships contact Rio Tinto Coal Australia Hail Creek Mine’s Marie Cameron on (07) 4951 6437 or email marie.cameron@riotinto.com. Applications close February 24.

Proudly supporting mining communities Cannington

HEALTH IN MINING

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

21

Industry’s battle of the minds The mental wellbeing of resource sector employees is attracting some much-needed attention, writes Jan Green.

There is increasing awareness that the harsh surroundings, climatic extremes, social isolation and long periods of intense concentration typical of mining work can result in serious injury or death.

The Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health is particularly concerned that depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and social phobias as well as alcohol and substance abuse are just the tip of the iceberg and that these aspects are just as likely to affect stay-at-home partners as they are fly in-fly out (FIFO) workers.

The centre’s chief executive officer, Dr Jennifer Bowers, said

mental health and emotional wellbeing was not a priority for many companies. It was for this reason the centre had recently focused on mental health in the resource sector, she said.

“There’s fierce competition for personnel and once employees have been recruited, inducted and trained, a lot of time and money goes into retaining them,” Dr Bowers said.

“So we all know retention is important. All employers tell us that their employees are their most valuable asset. But do they realise just how valuable?”

Dr Bowers said while pay rates were an important consideration,

Dr Jennifer Bowers people were also attracted to organisations which looked after their workforces.

“Being ‘looked after’ is more than just about pay and

conditions,” she said. “It includes a focus on health and wellbeing and an organisational culture where people feel comfortable talking about things like worklife balance, managing split lifestyles and the consequent stresses and mental health.”

To help deal with what Dr Bowers believes is a hugely under-recognised problem, the centre has produced a brochure, “This Place is Doing My Head In” , which aims to heighten awareness of mental health in the resource sector.

“Overall, the sector hasn’t yet fully recognised that mental illhealth can have a very serious impact on productivity and profit,” she said.

“However, the centre is working with some far-sighted top-tier mining and construction

companies and contractors with heartening results.”

Dr Bowers said the centre had designed a “road map” for resource sector companies. The mental health and wellbeing initiatives involved were primarily designed to: • Be proactive and preventative with early interventions available when required, • Change attitudes to mental health and change the culture of a workplace, and • Be integrated into occupational health and safety and human resources induction policies.

“If followed, the end result is to everyone’s advantage. Workers are happy, healthy and efficient and the companies ultimately reap the benefits both financially and productively,” Dr Bowers said.

Satellite handset acts as safety net for personnel Mining industry workers – particularly those involved in exploration and drilling – often work alone and in remote areas.

Consequently serious medical problems or accidents can be life threatening if help isn’t quickly to hand.

The launch of the Iridium Extreme - the first satellite handset in the world to feature a dedicated two-way emergency SOS button - is expected to revolutionise emergency communications in remote Australia, according to distributor Pivotel.

“The two-way communic-

ations channel, using both voice and data - which are established when the SOS button is pressed, allows emergency responders to accurately locate an injured worker and maintain a dialogue to assist with the rescue operation,” Pivotel managing director Peter Bolger said.

Iridium Extreme features include GPS, tracking, SMS and data services. It has been designed to military standards to withstand tough Australian outback conditions.

Mr Bolger said Pivotel was the only service provider in Australia able to integrate the new

handset with TracerTrak, one of Australia’s leading tracking exception management services that allows companies to track personnel and manage valuable assets in remote areas.

“The Iridium Extreme and TracerTrak significantly improve the management of the emergency response to better ensure a co-ordinated and efficient emergency response effort,” he said. “For example, if a lone worker has suffered a serious medical problem, the emergency response team can gather further information about the injury and ensure appropriate

The Iridium Extreme satellite phone in use in the field.

medical resources are brought by the recovery team directly to the injured worker’s pinpointed location.”

He believed the technologies together made for the most powerful remote safety monitoring system seen in Australia.

Mr Bolger said there was a major opportunity for Australia’s mining sector to utilise satellite services in a way never before possible and believed this technology would enable the most co-ordinated and efficient management of personnel available anywhere in the world.

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HEAVY MACHINERY REVIEW

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Get a load of Komatsu’s latest HD1500-7 and similar-class trucks in four passes. It can load the 184-tonne capacity 730E trucks in five passes.

In high-lift boom configuration, it can load 830Es (222 tonne capacity) in seven passes.

Mr Hall said the WA1200-6’s net engine power was almost 100kW higher than its predecessor, and even higher than equivalent competitors in the same class.

“High productivity is achieved through higher breakout and

A range of upgraded features should see this big yellow fellow deliver efficiency gains on a number of fronts, writes Jan Green.

Komatsu’s WA1200-6 mining wheel loader offers improvements in productivity, economy, reliability and durability over its predecessor, the WA1200-3, according to Komatsu Australia mining product manager Michael Hall.

With bucket sizes ranging from 18-35 cubic metres, it has

an operating weight range of 216-220 tonnes and is powered by a Tier 2-compliant Komatsu engine rated at 1316kW net.

The loader is available in standard boom and high-lift boom configurations.

In standard boom configuration, the WA1200-6 can load the 144-tonne capacity Komatsu

New range of compactors Atlas Copco Construction Tools is introducing six new hydraulic compactor attachments with operating weights ranging from 1-40 tonnes.

Designed for use on carriers, they incorporate a housing attachment offset at 15 degrees.

Atlas Copco Construction Tools business line manager Glenn Illingworth said this innovation improved force distribution on the vibrator plate.

“These compactors are virtually maintenancefree thanks to their PermanentLube continuous lubrication system and the integrated flow rate and pressure control protects them from overload, particularly if compactors are used on different carriers,” he said.

“An Atlas Copco compactor is easily attached.

“No special mount is required for fitting to carriers, while standard adapter plates and attachment brackets simplify attachment to the compactor.

“The hydraulic system functions without pressure-less tank return flow, saving time and money.

“Optional backfill blades make compactors easier to use. They level the way, enabling work to progress smoothly while also deflecting material.”

Mr Illingworth said compactor attachments were suitable for compacting trenches, ground soil and embankments as well as for driving in and pulling out formwork, posts and sheet piling.

Komatsu’s WA1200-6 mining wheel loader has an operating weight range of 216 to 220 tonnes.

traction forces than any other loader on the market and large bucket capacity,” he said.

“These features allow it to economically and effectively load all but the largest mining dump trucks currently in operation.”

Other productivity features include its “Hi-Cab” design, which gives the operator an eye-level height of 6380mm – sufficient to look directly into the body of a 220-tonne dump truck – and a payload meter capable of providing detailed information on material volumes being loaded.

“In terms of operating economy, tests carried out by Komatsu indicate that the WA1200-6 uses 15 per cent less fuel compared with the WA1200-3, while fuel efficiency (cubic metres of material moved per litre of fuel) is more than 20 per cent better,” Mr Hall said.

These gains are achieved through developments including: • Operator-selectable maximum traction power, • A dual-mode active working system, which can be selected depending on the type of material being worked – either “powerful loading” mode giving more tractive power in blasted

rock and hard ground, or “normal loading” mode for loading loose material where higher traction forces are not required, • Automatically selected economy and power engine modes, • The use of more efficient hydraulic systems, • A modulated clutch system which automatically raises the bucket faster when approaching a dump truck, while reducing forward travel speed.

“These upgrades to the WA1200-6 make it a significantly more fuelefficient loading tool than its predecessor,” Mr Hall said.

“These fuel-saving features, combined with operatorefficiency improvements, including low-effort precision joystick control, automatic transmission and a pillarless cab for a wide and uninterrupted field of view, ensure optimum production while minimising operator fatigue.”

Another cost-reduction feature is Tyre Saver, which reduces tyre slip and extends service life by sensing a slipping tyre, then controlling the torque converter via the modulated clutch to minimise slip.

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HEAVY MACHINERY REVIEW

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

23

Rotary drill with bite This Sandvik rig promises high penetration rates for hard rock applications and was designed with a focus on safety, writes Jan Green.

Sandvik Mining and Construction’s DR460 crawler rotary drill delivers almost 40 per cent more rotary horsepower than its nearest competitor, according to rotary drills regional product line manager Neil Emery.

“Designed for 251mm to 311mm-diameter blastholes, the drill delivers high penetration rates (particularly in hard rock formations), ease of maintenance, good availability and an ergonomic work environment,” Mr Emery said.

“When ground conditions

allow, the operator can increase bit rotation speed without sacrificing torque, which allows for substantially higher penetration rates.

“In addition, the feed system, designed with extreme hard rock conditions in mind, includes extra heavy duty pulldown chains to ensure a constant load can be applied at increased rotation speeds.”

The rig’s pulldown is up to 356kN, while bit load is 445kN for maximum productivity in hard rock formations.

The DR460 is capable of

drilling to depths of 75m using 194mm-diameter by 12.8m long drill pipes, or to 62m deep using 219mm-diameter pipes.

Mr Emery said operator safety was a key design criterion for the new rig.

“It incorporates a fullperimeter walkway and maintenance platforms that comply with AS1657 for improved access and service security,” he said.

“This allows the operator and service technicians free and safe access around the rig.

“This rig meets stringent Australian Standards and MDG15 specifications for electric and hydraulic design, with the hydraulic system incorporating a reduced number of hoses in one location by positioning hydraulic

Manitou lifts the bar Manitou has released the MHT 10225, the world’s largest telescopic handler with a lifting capacity of 22,500kg and 10m lifting height.

Since inventing the first Rough Terrain forklift in 1958, Manitou has delivered powerful solutions to the logistic and materials handling problems of the mining industry, according to managing director – Australia Stuart Walker.

He said the company was now the world’s leading supplier of such solutions to the resources sector.

The 10225 model is part of the MHT range, which Mr Walker described as offering enhanced versatility and safety compared with cranes and forklifts.

“The ability to handle oversize loads as a forklift instead of having to lift as a suspended load means (it has) less stability concerns than a crane,” he said.

“And when compared with a forklift, the load management system and pre-programmed loads charts for each attachment ensure that lifts are carried out in complete safety.

“When it comes to versatility, the MHT range can handle freely suspended loads either with a single hook system or it can be offered

with a fully integrated winch system.”

Other attachments include work platforms up to 1000kg, all fully compliant with AS1418.10.

Additional mining specific attachments include tyre handlers for all size tyres, hub and strut handlers, hydraulic cylinder handlers and suspension strut handlers.

“Designed to operate on very rough terrain, the MHT range can handle very heavy and bulky loads,” Mr Walker said.

“The machine/accessories torque is key for applications requiring both versatility and capacity.

“Far from being ‘just another loader’, the MHT offers manoeuvrability, precision and versatility for a true operating performance.”

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Designed for 251mm to 311mm-diameter blastholes, the DR460 delivers high penetration rates, particularly in hard rock formations.

valves so they are closer to their points of use.

“Furthermore, by focusing on routing, securing and shielding of hydraulic hoses and electric wiring, the reliability and maintainability of these systems is dramatically improved.”

The 4.4sq m operator cabin has chair-mounted joystick controls.

Sandvik offers its patented Compressor Management System (CMS), which cuts fuel consumption and emissions levels, as an option on the DR460 and other rotary drill rigs.

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DRILLING AND EXPLORATION

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Sector survey shows the score Work by a new industry group highlights the factors affecting Queensland’s performance as a site for resource exploration, writes Jan Green.

A recently released scorecard provides a detailed analysis of exploration success across Queensland.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Michael Roche described the Queensland Minerals and Energy Exploration scorecard as a tool for industry and policy-makers to monitor performance and steer the sector towards meeting the objectives outlined in the Vision 2020 document.

The scorecard was published by the Queensland Exploration Council, a multi-sectoral group established by the QRC. It is believed to be the first detailed analysis of statewide exploration success measured by drivers including prospectivity and endowment, resource prices, political stability, explorer/ investor confidence and access to the essential factors of production including capital, land and skills.

Mr Roche said consolidating the sector’s reputation as a reliable, long-term supplier of choice was invaluable in increasingly competitive global markets.

However, while some areas of the scorecard were positive for the state, room for improvement existed in others, he said.

The fact that minerals and energy exploration were “under the pump” was identified as an issue.

“The public is being fed a constant diet of inaccurate information about the nature of exploration tenures across Queensland and, erroneously, that’s being tied to the inevitability of each and every

strong rating for Queensland in terms of resources prospectivity... on an equal footing with other states on pre-competitive geoscientific data,” he said.

However, the survey reported negative sentiment on factors

highly with the geoscience professionals living there.”

The scorecard was based on a survey of Australian resource companies with interests in Queensland, Mr Roche said.

“The survey results showed a

such as policy certainty, tenure processes and land access.

“I was therefore pleased by the Queensland Government’s announcement it would streamline tenure and project approval processes,” Mr Roche said.

Anger over aquifer move

Michael Roche QRC chief executive

exploration tenure turning into a mine,” Mr Roche said.

For example, some rural lobbyists claimed about 86 per cent of the state was under some form of mining tenure, he said.

But in reality, Mr Roche said a little over 50 per cent was under some form of exploration tenure and the historical conversion rate from exploration to mining lease in Queensland – one of the most mineralised regions in the world was 0.5 per cent.

Included in the positive perspectives was an improvement in geoscientific knowledge.

“For example, in the past six years, airborne magnetic/ radiometric coverage has increased from 64 to 89 per cent and gravity survey coverage from 34 to 65 per cent,” Mr Roche said.

“Another is the liveability of Queensland with Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns all ranking

The Federal Government’s agreement to establish a scientific committee for the referral of mining and exploration activities interacting with aquifers has been condemned by a peak industry body.

Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) chief executive officer Simon Bennison said the legislation would directly affect all mineral exploration and mining activities throughout

Australia - and every AMEC member - if passed.

“It is another policy announcement where the Federal Government has not fully thought through the consequences,” he said.

“Robust and regulatory systems already exist and are working well in all Australian states and territories to protect water resources.”

Mr Bennison expressed concern that the agreement

AMEC has criticised aquifer controls set to affect mineral exploration and mining activity.

Photo: Christopher Knight

constituted yet another example of lack of industry and state/ territory consultation which would result in significant increases in administrative costs, project costs and project delays.

The Federal Government said the new independent expert scientific committee would: • Provide scientific advice to governments about relevant coal seam gas and large coal mining approvals with significant impacts on water, • Oversee research on impacts on water resources from such projects and, • Commission and fund water resource assessments for priority regions.

A statement from the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer said that the states would remain the primary regulators and businesses would not be required to change the way they applied for a licence.

However their applications would be subject to rigorous and independent scientific assessment by the committee before states granted approval for a relevant activity.

“This is a good outcome as it will inform better environmental regulation of coal seam gas and large coal mine developments’ impacts on ground water across Australia without imposing additional Commonwealth regulation,” the statement said.

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MATERIALS HANDLING

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

25

Under close watch Machine vision technology is being used to help keep underground material handling systems belting along, writes Jan Green.

Conveyor belt breakages can result in huge revenue losses when they halt production.

Australian company BeltSpy has developed a conveyor belt inspection system, used in underground mines, which applies machine vision technology to help prevent such disasters.

BeltSpy managing director Alexandre Aivazian said the system was used during production hours with a full conveyor load.

A single workstation located on the surface allows operators to inspect carry and back sides of all belts in the mine by visually analysing high resolution images anywhere along the belts.

The system provides instant access to images of all flagged locations.

“Potential damage points can be flagged online and during full production, allowing conveyor downtime to be utilised for maintenance activities,” Mr Aivazian said.

“SpyBelt also allows for online monitoring of damage to predict when maintenance or repairs need to be undertaken.”

He said the system employed proprietary image processing algorithm to automatically detect and flag points of interest (POI) such as clip joins, splice joins, damaged belt surface and damaged edges.

“It also maintains precise belt metrics relative to reference location (RL) and the locations of all POI (distances from RL) are stored, thus providing instant access to POI images,” Mr Aivazian said.

Below: A coal clearance co-ordinator uses the BeltSpy system to inspect conveyor belt joins before stopping for scheduled maintenance.

The Stamler Feeder-Breaker can deliver a throughput rate of up to 6000 tonnes per hour.

Feeder-Breaker aids conveyor coal flow “In addition, it provides sequential and random (given a location) belt image browsing.

“The surface user workstation uses a two-monitor configuration if only the carry side of the belt needs inspection (single-sided installation) or three-monitor configuration if both sides need

to be inspected (double-sided installation).”

Mr Aivazian said the system could be instructed to automatically stop the conveyor in a particular position guaranteeing that the location to be repaired would arrive at the repair station.

The Stamler Feeder-Breaker is designed to supply continuous feed to conveyors at surface coal operations, minimising operating costs and increasing production.

The efficiency of the device - which acts as the interface between haulage and process plant - is reflected in the fact Stamler Feeder-Breakers can average throughput rates of up to 6000 tonnes per hour, according

Seal the deal to control spillage The critical component in any conveyor transfer point is an effective sealing system.

The seal should be located where material being loaded becomes stable, according to Kinder and Co managing director Neil Kinder.

This is the last position to effect-

ively control spillage and dust.

K–Superline Containment Seal is used to enhance the effectiveness of the outer seal or skirting when the loading area is properly supported.

Mr Kinder said in many cases outer flexible seals were ineffective in controlling spillage

The K-Superline Containment Seal inside a chute.

as unsupported belts trying to contain the full weight of the material load could be inadequate.

To effectively contain bulk material, the K-Superline Containment Seal, which can be supplied beveled or straight, should be installed inside the chute to handle high internal chute pressure and reduce the load on the skirting seal.

“The engineered polyurethane system offers exceptional resistance to wear while the slotted arrangement allows for installation adjustment to ensure that material cannot be entrapped leading to premature belt damage,” Mr Kinder said.

to P&H MinePro Services mining equipment product manager for Stamler products, Amy Hanson.

Feeder-Breakers are employed in the initial stage of the crushing process where they are linked to run of mine where the coal is dumped on one side and a conveyor on the other.

The Feeder-Breaker reduces larger pieces of material into smaller sizes the conveyor can handle.

Ms Hanson said each FeederBreaker featured a flight conveyor, rotary pick breaker and, if required, an integral surge hopper.

Specific material output size was achieved by breaker picks and a pick pattern designed to work with conveyor flights, eliminating slabs, she said.

Optional crawler, wheel or skid mounting allows the FeederBreakers to efficiently move with the mine face to reduce haulage cycle time.

“P&H MinePro Services is well established in Australia and Asia Pacific,” Ms Hanson said.

“Stamler Feeder-Breakers have been installed globally since the ’50s and with our first Queensland surface machine in 1982.”

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PROCESSING

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

Robotic stripper a ripper for CST Cutting-edge technology has given a copper producer the chance to lift output and reduce maintenance efforts, writes Jan Green.

After 14 months in the planning, a $2.3 million robotic cathode stripping machine has been commissioned at the CST Lady Annie mine 126km north-west of Mount Isa. CST Mining process superintendent Wally Gohdes said it was great to see the ground-breaking technology up and running following its delivery to the mine site last August.

“Since that time, we’ve been

working on the foundations and installations to the point where commissioning could go ahead,” he said.

The technology – a joint Mesco, Xstrata Technology and CST project – is the first if its type to be applied in Australia’s mining industry.

Mr Gohdes described the new system as a revolutionary advance on the site’s previous handling system, in operation since 2005.

“The now obsolete manual handling machine was capable of about 22,000 tonnes per annum output,” he said.

“The new robotic copper stripping system can produce in excess of 35,000 tonnes in that period.

“It uses two 600kg payload robots with patented end-of-arm tooling for cathode plate handling and stripping and has a capacity of 150 cathode plates per hour.”

Factors behind the upgrade included the need for a “smarter” cathode stripping system requiring less maintenance as well as a desire for increased throughput plus improved safety

Lady Annie’s two new 600kg payload robots have patented end-of-arm tooling for cathode plate handling and stripping which gives them a capacity of 150 cathode plates per hour.

and enhanced product quality.

“At this point, we’ll still produce the same amount of copper annually,” Mr Gohdes said.

“However, as demand increases to the stripper’s capacity, we’ll be able to comfortably meet it.

“It’s a massive piece of equipment. Its footprint on the ground is probably 15m square, it sits on 85 cubic metres of

concrete and each robot weighs six tonnes. It looks so futuristic, it’s almost like having a space shuttle at our back door.

“It’s exciting to be leading the way in what is indisputably cutting-edge, mining industry technology and it’s equally exciting to be the showcase for the most up-to-date copper stripping process in the country.”

A model tool for fine tuning flotation circuits To optimise coal processing flotation circuits, meet challenges associated with increasing throughput and manage bottlenecks, it’s essential all coal handling preparation plant (CHPP) components operate efficiently.

Unfortunately, this is not always a straightforward process because it is difficult to see the inside workings of various pieces of equipment.

However, as CSIRO research scientist Dr Peter Koh explains, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) - a sophisticated numerical modelling tool - can simulate the complex processes that occur within such plant, allowing problems to be identified and solutions developed.

CFD modelling was used to

predict the turbulence and shear levels in the Microcel and Jameson cell processes in a recent Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) funded project.

A key aim of the project was to identify the means to enhance the performance of existing equipment through minor engineering modifications.

The CSIRO’s CFD flotation cell modelling capability generates outputs which highlight regions where particles are being detached from bubbles by turbulent eddies in the Jameson cell.

Dr Koh said CHPP operators often sought to increase throughput by increasing pulp density.

The viscosity went up with pulp density and there was the possibility of non-Newtonian

Bubble-particle detachment rates predicted by a CFD model for a vertical slice through the Jameson cell with 20 downcomers.

rheology and yield stress, he said.

Bubble-particle attachment became more difficult in a viscous pulp, although detachment rates would decrease.

“CFD is also well suited to evaluating new flotation cell designs or identifying how minor engineering modifications to existing cells can be used

to enhance performance,” Dr Koh said. “In a number of such cases, our CFD modelling capabilities have been applied very successfully.”

Dr Koh identified equipment wear due to particle impacts caused by localised high pulp velocities as a major contribution to maintenance costs.

“Significant reductions in wear rates can be achieved if minor changes are made to the flotation cell design to eliminate excess localised pulp velocities,” he said.

“Alternatively, pulp velocities can potentially also be reduced by using high pulp densities. If the flotation cell is well designed to overcome the pulp viscosity problem, then decreasing the velocity will definitely reduce the wear rate, maintenance and energy costs.”

SHUTDOWNS

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

27

Invention keeps them rolling New idler assemblies set to go into production in North Queensland are being touted as a safe means of avoiding conveyor shutdowns.

A method of replacing worn out conveyor system rollers without shutting down operations has been described as a breakthrough for cost and safety.

The new idler assemblies – banana-shaped frames which hold rollers – are the brainchild of Les Dunn, an episode winner on ABC The New Inventors.

Mr Dunn, from Capella on the Central Highlands, said the safety benefits of his invention plus time and cost savings in avoiding unnecessary shutdowns were astronomical.

For example, in a coal mine, a 2m wide conveyor generally ran at 6000 tonnes per hour at $230 per tonne, he said.

“So any savings in change-out

are at the rate of $2 million per hour,” Mr Dunn said.

“Mine production downtime due to change-outs can be between two and 24 hours, so at the top end of the scale that can amount to $48 million in lost production.

“However, using the DunnEasy Idler assemblies we once changed 24 rolls in 53 minutes using two unskilled labourers. That constitutes a massive saving.”

Mr Dunn said using his DunnEasy Idler assemblies was a much simpler and safer process than the standard procedure for roller failure.

“Most Queensland miners working on conveyors carry a 250kg chain block set-up, often

Les Dunn explains how his device works on ABC Television’s The New Inventors.

called a come-along or smithy, and everyone carries a shifter.

“So changing a roller simply involves hooking the come-along on to the end of the assembly,

disconnecting it, dropping it down (this eliminates hazards), undoing the clamp on the cassette, sliding the cassettes out on to the walkway, changing the

roll out, reassembling and putting it back into place, making it safe, tidying up and walking away.

“There’s no need to stop the conveyor, so there’s no downtime and the replacement can be carried out regardless of whether the conveyor is loaded or unloaded.

“The only difficulty we have at moment is, because ours is a new product, we don’t yet have the protocols in place for one man to do the job on his own.

“We’ve had a number of assemblies on trial for the past six years or so in a number of Queensland and Western Australian mines and we haven’t had a single failure in that time.

“We’ve proved they work so we are now in discussion with potential joint venture partners and anticipate going into volume production within three months or so in North Queensland.”

Balloons beat ore bin hazard, cut downtime An innovative solution to an underground maintenance challenge has seen BHP Billiton’s Cannington operation in northwest Queensland shave days off key shutdown times.

To allow safe access to underground transfer chutes, maintenance teams use two purpose-made balloons to lift and hold storage bins containing loose ore.

The equipment is part of Minvent Solutions overhead protection systems technology which is widely used in underground mining – metalliferous and coal – and also in processing.

The balloons were successfully employed at Cannington in 2009 and are due to be used again in March when it is time to replace the transfer chute liner plates.

Cannington maintenance planner Gordon Batley said the method was ground-breaking when first implemented at the site.

It replaced a more time-consuming and less reliable method that involved entering the bins from above, spraying a concretelike product within the cavity and waiting for it to set.

“It might sound like a simple process, however the logistics and planning to make this happen was quite lengthy and required at least four 12-hour shifts to complete – if all went well,” he said.

“Our previous method required two cranes approved for underground work, back-up drivers and riggers on call.

“On a number of occasions, with all

this work completed, we still made lastminute decisions to cancel the job due to stabilising product not setting correctly.”

The two storage bins involved are part of the silver-lead-zinc mine’s underground fixed-plant ore transfer system and each holds several thousand tonnes of ore.

“The construction of the internals of each bin is such that large pieces of ore are able to be trapped within the bin walls and this ore poses a falling hazard to anyone working in the chutes below,” Mr Batley said.

Mr Batley turned his mind to finding an easier and safer way of stabilising ore hanging in the bins.

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business Minvent Solutions to develop two purpose-built balloons.

The balloons are inflated to about 3kpa and include alarm systems to warn personnel at the top and bottom of the bin of any malfunction.

Mr Batley described the project as an outstanding success, especially in reducing shutdown duration.

“The original estimate using the old method was a 156-hour shutdown. With the balloons we estimated 120 hours for the shutdown (in 2009) and we actually came in 11 hours under that time,” he said.

“The time saved with our new process also allows us to repair both chutes on one shutdown – which is a great result.”

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BUILDING NW QUEENSLAND

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

29

Young gun fires up in the Isa Heading up Isadraulics and the local Enzed franchise, this entrepreneur can attest to the opportunities on offer in the north-west.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ryan MacKenzie’s drive, foresight and confidence in Mount Isa as a great place to start a business have earned double honours in the 2011 North West Queenland Business Awards.

Named Young Business Person of the Year, Mr MacKenzie is the managing director of Isadraulics.

He also purchased the local Enzed franchise – the business which won him the New Investment Award – and between the two he employs some 21 local people.

Mr MacKenzie attributed his success to recognising and seizing business opportunities, as well as to a great team of employees.

“Staff are the backbone of any company and in ours we’ve tried

to create a sense of family as well as achievement,” he said.

Among the staff are three hydraulic apprentices and one hose doctor apprentice.

“I believe it’s extremely important for local business to take on apprentices. We strongly recommend anyone who can, should,” Mr MacKenzie said.

Mr MacKenzie moved to Mount Isa from the Atherton Tableland 12 years ago and, up until two and a half years ago, worked for another employee.

As a qualified hydraulic fitter machinist, he could see the opportunity to start his own business was too good to pass up.

“I decided to give it a go myself and it has worked out really well,” Mr MacKenzie said.

Ryan MacKenzie, flanked by Lisa and Dave Clancy (Clancy’s Electrical), accepts his award for Young Business Person of the Year.

“All our work is mining related.

“We overhaul and maintain hydraulic systems and associated equipment and in May 2011 I took on the Enzed franchise,

which deals in hydraulic hose and fittings and complements the work we do at Isadraulics.

“Each business can work independently but in combining

the two we provide a one-stop shop for all mining hydraulic needs.

“That’s better for the customer and good for our business.”

Mr MacKenzie had no idea upon arriving in Mount Isa that it would develop at the pace and to the extent it has.

“It’s always been a mining town but 12 years ago it was relatively quiet and much slower compared to what it is now,” he said.

“I came here because we had family friends living in the town, I thought it was an interesting place and I enjoyed camping and fishing on the lake.”

Mr MacKenzie described Mount Isa as an outback mining town with a lot to offer.

“Few other places have such great opportunities for business people and employees,” he said.

“For anyone prepared to give it a go, the sky can be the limit.”

Stage all the rage in this mining community The old adage “there’s no business like show business” is wholeheartedly embraced by Mount Isa Theatrical Society president of 12 years standing Jenelle Robartson.

The society has been going strong for 56 years, so it’s one also shared by Mount Isa theatre lovers and performers alike.

“We do four shows a year - mainly straight theatre, but

we also put on the occasional melodrama or song and dance,” Ms Robartson said.

She believes the transient nature of Mount Isa’s population is a major contributing factor to the vibrant aspect of the society.

Not surprisingly, many members work in mining and mining related industries.

“Some are so keen they’ve even taken annual leave and swapped shifts – it’s very much a shiftworking town – to take part in our productions,” Ms Robartson said.

“But we also have members with a wide variety of backgrounds and ages ranging from 10 (these take part in junior classes) to 75-year olds.

“We try to have a lot of fun in what we do, which is why, I think, so many people enjoy it and want to be involved.”

Despite the huge amount

of work required to stage an amateur production, there’s never a shortage of people to assist in getting shows “on the road”.

Drinking Habits, a comedy about a bunch of nuns who secretly sell alcohol to keep a convent afloat, will be the first 2012 production. It is scheduled to open the first weekend of March.

“We’ll be auditioning on the 22nd of January and, as we invariably have more people interested in parts than the number of parts available, we can be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding roles,” Ms Robartson said.

“But for those who miss out on acting roles, there are plenty of other aspects such as technical areas, lighting, set work, costumes and so on where anyone who wants to can be involved.”

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Greg Poppell, Tyne James and Maddy Sacco (pictured above), was one in a long line of the Mount Isa Theatrical Society’s successful stage productions.

The society is gearing up for its next production, Drinking Habits.

The comedy is scheduled to open on the first weekend of March.

She admits that when she is not working in her job at Centacare, the society takes up most of her time.

“You could say it’s something of a consuming passion,” Ms Robartson said.

“I don’t think many people realise just what a huge undertaking putting on a show starting from scratch is. But I enjoy the challenge and the rewards at the end make it all worthwhile.”

In addition to her management tasks, Ms Robartson also enjoys treading the boards.

“Even though I’ve performed in about 30 productions over the last 12 years, it’s hard to pick my favourite role,” she said.

“It just depends. Comedy can be more fun but a successful dramatic role is very satisfying.”

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WET SEASON

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

State adjusts mine discharge rules A revamped set of water standards has been welcomed after last wet season’s lingering impact on coal producers, writes Jan Green.

The Queensland Government’s new Fitzroy Basin model water conditions allow increased flexibility for discharges, in what has been hailed as a timely change for the coal industry.

C & R Consulting director Dr Chris Cuff, who has offered geochemical and hydrological solutions to the mining industry for the past 15 years, commended the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s (DERM’s) report on Final Model Water Conditions for Coal in the Fitzroy Basin.

“Any mine needing to release water must follow the conditions of this document, which are more realistic in terms of how water can be disposed of or dispersed than it has been in the past,” he said.

With this wet season predicted to be above average, Dr Cuff described the new model conditions as very timely.

“Last year, Queensland lost around several billion dollars of coal exports due to flooding,” he said.

“However this year, with DERM’s model in place, the state should fare much better both economically and environmentally.”

DERM acting regional manager, environmental services (mining), Andrew Connor said the model conditions continued to uphold environmental

protection standards and the department’s expectations of environmental authority holders in protecting Queensland waters.

Mr Connor said release limits were determined by ensuring concentrations of contaminants did not exceed in-stream water quality objectives.

The amount of flow generated by extended rain events was also identified as an important part of determining sustainable limits.

“Coal mines in the Fitzroy Basin are not permitted to release water until such time as a minimum passing flow is reached,” Mr Connor said.

“The previous model conditions only included one passing flow trigger with associated quality and volume limits. The new model conditions include three flow triggers – low, medium and high.

“All include separate limits to achieve water quality objectives under those flow conditions.”

The new model conditions also consider water quality objectives for mines in different zones within catchments.

Different calculations are used based on whether a mine is high in the catchment, midcatchment or further down.

This approach incorporates potential cumulative effects from multiple mine discharges in the Fitzroy Basin.

Mr Connor said the department always intended to

conduct a review once a better quality of discharge monitoring information had been obtained and this occurred through monitoring regimes required by the former 2009 model conditions.

“This data provided the department with an improved understanding of the cumulative effects of releases from mines,” he said.

DERM has completed 30 Fitzroy Basin coal mine site inspections in the lead-up to the 2011-12 wet season.

The Tiger Dam system is engineered to interlock and stack in tiers from 90cm to 10m high and can be virtually any length.

Water tubes fight flooding At this time of year severe weather plans are foremost in the minds of mining and other resource strategists.

The issues concerning them include not only flash flooding and the danger that poses to personnel, but the potential for serious environmental harm and damage to equipment.

An Australian company, Flood Control Australia (FCA), has sourced a tubing system it believes will address many of those issues.

“We offer a range of water management solutions including our flagship product, the Tiger Dam system,” FCA director Jamie Bartlett said.

“The Tiger Dam is made from reinforced vinyl material and uses water to fight water in that it consists of a flexible, sealed and deep water-filled barrier able to be put in place faster and more effectively than sandbags.

“The tubing provides a rapid response solution as a single Tiger Dam tube replaces approximately 500 sandbags and can be filled in as little as 90 seconds with the right equipment.

“It’s an exciting new way to manage storm runoff and other issues associated with excessive rain, such as pooling, which can create areas of ground instability and boggy conditions in operational areas.

“The environmentally friendly, re-usable tubes have also been used to capture silt run-off in construction sites, reduce sand erosion and even divert waterways.

“And when they are no longer required in a particular location they can simply be packed up and moved elsewhere.”

The product has been engineered to interlock and stack in tiers from 90cm to 10m high.

It was described by Mr Bartlett as a quick and easy system that may effectively divert flood waters, create channels and increase levy heights to limit property and environmental damage.

“Tubes can be quickly and easily filled with a fire hydrant, water truck or garden hose. They can be virtually any length, take any shape and be stacked seamlessly for miles,” he said.

“In addition to the Tiger Dam, FCA supplies a chemical tube which can be filled with a fire retardant gel which would be useful in underground mines.

“These tubes can be used to make a bund wall to hold sludge and water back from work areas while the tubes can be used to increase levy heights to hold pump water from open cut.”

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MINING FAMILIES

The Mining Advocate | January 2012

31

Dealing with shiftwork pitfalls An expert details the potential challenges and some strategies for families tackling the rosters and separation typical of mining jobs.

Adjusting to shiftwork and being away from home over extended periods places many demands on relationships and family life.

Recognising the challenges is the first important step in preventing possible problems, according to Gryphon Psychology director Richard Jones.

“Clearly, shiftwork places additional stresses on relationships, so shiftworkers and families must plan for dealing with these pressures,” he said.

“On the other hand, many survive shiftwork, thrive and become more cohesive because of it. However, if problems do arise, it’s recommended they be dealt with sooner rather than later for the best results.”

Mr Jones identified the following as potential issues: • Family and social activities are out of phase with the working roster and there’s little opportunity for quality time together. This might lead to feelings (on both sides) that there is not sufficient companionship, intimacy, support and sharing, • Shiftworkers can sometimes feel excluded, less needed and guilty for missing out on important family events, • Shopping, recreation and socialising with friends are difficult to arrange at convenient times because of the need to rest on days off, • Many shiftworkers find it hard to do anything on days off other than eat and try to catch up on sleep, which reduces opportunities for leisure activities and family time,

• Spouses often complain that their partners are not available when they are needed and they must develop their own interests, pastimes and lifestyles – sometimes in a direction that does not support a relationship, • Fatigue and mood, sometimes complicated by stress and long shifts, will make the shiftworker less pleasant to be around and some spouses will not have friends over because of the tension. Sexual relationships can also suffer because of fatigue and reduced opportunity,

Many families can work through the challenges of shiftwork for a happy life.

Photo: ©iStockphoto.com/skynesher

• Conflicts over these matters can accumulate over time which can escalate in intensity into domestic abuse or the couple

stop talking or being around each other. They just give up, • Both partners initially feel guilty over the resentment of

work interfering in family life and they then feel resentment toward each other.

Mr Jones said effective strategies included being realistic about shiftworkrelated challenges, discussing concerns at family meetings, balancing home and family care responsibilities and drawing up a family schedule calendar involving all members of the family, just to name a few.

“While many people are able to work through the challenges shiftwork brings on their own, not everyone can,” Mr Jones said.

“In such instances, getting professional help is important for relationships to survive and families to stay together.”

Pre-Nups – at least think about it I get married in June. It’s the second time and I’m more cautious. I want to keep my assets for my children from my first marriage. I think my fiancee understands this, but I don’t want to upset her by asking for a pre-nup.

In a break-up, nothing you own is protected without a “pre-nup”.

Your wife will have entitlements ahead of your children. Property you owned before marriage is not excluded from a property settlement.

A property settlement involves a close assessment of each spouse’s contributions (non-financial as well as financial) to all property regardless of when, or how, it was acquired, and to the welfare of the family, and a comparison is drawn between each

spouse’s needs at the time of settlement.

A court must then consider what is just and equitable between the couple. This is not a straightforward process and the outcome isn’t easily predicted, as apparent from the high number of property cases processed through the Family Law Courts. Rarely are both spouses happy with the result, or with the financial and human cost of court proceedings.

A pre-nup, or binding financial agreement (BFA) as it’s formally known, can protect property against a spouse’s claim and bypass court processes. BFAs are available to de factos (including same-sex) as well as married couples, and may be entered before, during or after a relationship.

Almost everyone entering a new relationship has a view about what might happen with property in a break-up, but

don’t assume your partner shares the same view as you. Some candid discussion is required. Clients have told me that having a BFA turned out to be healthy for their relationship: it put everyone on the same page; got them thinking about and planning their financial future; and removed fear of being open about what they each owned.

If your fiancee is offended by the discussion, you might assume that she holds a different view to you about your premarriage assets. You then have opportunity to reassess the relationship, or at least proceed with your eyes open.

Susan Thomson is a partner in the MacDonnells Law state-wide Family Law team and a Queensland Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist. Susan is based in the firm’s Cairns office. Email: sthomson@macdonnells.com.au

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32

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESCUE

January 2012 |

The Mining Advocate

High-speed harbour response The contractor building three LNG plants off Gladstone has commissioned a jet-propelled vessel to deal with urgent medical cases.

A high-speed ambulance boat designed for emergencies between Gladstone Harbour and Curtis Island has a faster response capability in its operational area than a rescue helicopter, according to its manufacturer.

The 18m, jet-propelled Transit Systems vessel was commissioned

by Bechtel Corporation and designed by One2Three Naval Architects.

It was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget by Transit Systems after being built

and fitted out by Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA).

The vessel is believed to be the only one its kind in Australia designed for a resources project.

Features include room for multiple stretchers, paramedic seating, gas and oxygen supplies, a defibrillator, plus other medical supplies and equipment including a full ambulance kit-out.

ABA general manager Stuart Pascoe said the internal system was identical to that used by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).

The jet-propelled Transit Systems ambulance boat comissioned by Bechtel.

“Having the same system as QAS means in an emergency situation the team can move quickly and efficiently and all the stretchers can roll straight off the boat into a waiting ambulance,” he said.

“The vessel can do over 35knots - close to 75km/h – and will be manned 24/7 on standby to

respond to issues on Curtis Island.

“The trip from Gladstone to Curtis Island on the vessel is under seven minutes - a much faster time than any other form of transport.

“It can take half an hour or more to get a helicopter into the

Miner gives choppers a $10m lift Rio Tinto’s $10 million, 10year sponsorship of the EMQ Helicopter Rescue service has been hailed as a commitment to community safety across Queensland.

The service operates a fleet of five helicopters from bases in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane.

“While the dedicated and

professional pilots and crews save lives almost every day, most Queenslanders will particularly remember the work of the two Brisbane-based crews in rescuing 43 people from the devastating inland tsunami which hit the Lockyer Valley in January,” Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.

Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts, EMQ chief pilot Trevor Wilson and Rio Tinto chief executive officer Doug Ritchie in the back of one of the five helicopters Rio Tinto will sponsor.

“Their efforts were recognised with two international rescue awards and most recently with the Pride of Australia national heroism medal.

“Rio Tinto’s sponsorship of $1 million a year over the next 10 years will be in addition to what the State Government provides, and I thank Rio Tinto for their support of this vital service.

“Already we are looking at using the first year of the Rio Tinto funds to increase the capacity of the three AW139 rescue helicopters, allowing them to fly for longer without the need to refuel.”

Rio Tinto chief executive officer Doug Ritchie said while safety was a company core value, Rio’s commitment to it went far beyond the mine gate.

“Through this sponsorship Rio Tinto is providing an enduring safety commitment to Queensland, a place we have called home for more than 40 years,” he said.

air after all pre-flight, fuel and landing checks are completed, whereas our boat is ready to go at a moment’s notice.

“Bechtel and Transit Systems have worked together to create an innovative vessel that delivers on multiple objectives and so the ambulance boat has been designed as a mobile intensive care vessel while still factoring in environmental sustainability.

“Not only does it provide a state-of-the art emergency response unit, it incorporates environmentally sustainable features to protect and preserve the local marine life and waterways in which it will operate.”

Christmas bonus for CQ Rescue In lieu of traditional corporate Christmas cards, Rio Tinto Coal Australia employees have chosen to donate $20,000 to the CQ Rescue helicopter service.

Employees and contractors were asked to choose the charity they were most passionate about as part of Rio Tinto Coal Australia’s inaugural “Choose Your Own Charity” initiative.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia managing director Bill Champion said more than 300 employees and contractors voted, with CQ Rescue receiving the most votes from a shortlist of 10 charities.

“Based in Mackay, CQ Rescue has two helicopters that provide a vital lifeline when people need it most, providing 24-hour immediate medical support to areas that are remote or difficult to access by ambulance,” Mr Champion said.

“The service was a major support during the floods (last year) in central Queensland.

“One of the helicopters was also deployed to Brisbane to assist with disaster relief and the crew also spent several days in Townsville in the wake of Cyclone Yasi.”

CQ Rescue chief executive officer Phil Dowler thanked Rio Tinto Coal Australia and its workforce for the donation and said it would be used to train an extra rescue crew member.

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