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THIS EDITION • Boom-town retailers missing out • Explorers shed share value, land • DIDO danger on way to work • Hi-vis hijinks for mini miners

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The Mining Advocate | July 2013

COVER IMAGE: A Driftrunner emerges from underground at Oaky North coal mine in central Queensland. Photo: Damien Carty

July 2013

FEATURES

3 Slipping away

10 Legal Issues

Junior resources companies have seen share prices slide and there are fears the tough financial climate will spark a drop-off in exploration that will diminish future mining prospects.

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

4 Retail pain

12 CQ Coal Prospects

Miles shop owner Maree Campbell is among the many regional Queensland retailers who have been left floundering as resources-led growth changes the face of their communities.

19 Industry Update - Gas

5 DIDO danger

News in brief across the gas industry.

A Mackay-based road safety group has highlighted the prevalence of crashes on the way to work as it endeavours to build a clearer picture of drive in-drive out accident risks and how to reduce them.

20 Between Shifts

12-18 Coal comfort

25 Building Mining Communities

Times may be tough in the Queensland coal industry, but there is still work to be had in construction projects such as Grosvenor and for suppliers with a focus on areas such as asset optimisation. There is also a new crop of coal mine proponents worth keeping an eye on.

26 New Products

27 Top gear

28 Drilling and Exploration

A cool $4 million worth of precious metal went on display in Mackay recently as car enthusiasts gathered to show off and eye off a range of very special vehicles.

29 Lighting and Solar

24 Living Remotely

27 Big Boys’ Toys

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July 2013 |

On the bright side

Area surrendered by month in QLD - total EPMs & EPCs

area surrendered by month

8000 7000

Current Trend 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000

0 09-06 09-11 10-01 10-03 10-05 10-07 10-09 10-11 11-01 11-03 11-05 11-07 11-09 11-11 12-01 12-03 12-05 12-07 12-09 12-11 13-01 13-03 13-05

Kids have a habit of getting themselves into dangerous situations while playing, something that Townsville mother and aunt Mandy Elliot experienced in 2011. Ms Elliot’s nephew was playing on motorbikes with his cousins on a family property, when he fell off and seriously injured his head. “He was still wearing all the normal protective gear, but he wasn’t visible from the homestead,” Ms Elliot said. This accident spurred Ms Elliot on with her new business in high-visibility work wear for kids. What had started out as an idea for kids to dress up like their mums or dads who work in mining and other industries became about a need to keep young kids safe. The high-visibility shirts make kids easy to spot through the day and the night. They also offer protection from the sun and give kids the chance to get dressed up like their parents. Ms Elliot said she remembered dressing up like her Dad when she was little, but putting on his old electrical boots wasn’t quite as practical as the new kids’ work wear.

The Mining Advocate

Ground dropped

The Hi-vis kids clothing line is a hit with children.

“My Dad’s always been an electrician and we were always putting his boots on and that sort of stuff. You know, just getting dirty like Dad,” she said. Her two-year-old son Jett is

also following the trend and has become very attached to his Hivis kids clothing. The shirts are available to buy online or from stockists in Mackay, Townsville, Dalby, Roma and Toowoomba.

Resources companies are dropping exploration ground at a rate rivalling that experienced in the post-GFC fallout, new data shows. LandTrack Systems, which downloads and stores tenement information daily from mines departments across Australia, recently charted the exploration licences being dropped across Queensland and the Northern Territory. “After analysing the data we have hard evidence that there has been a significant increase in the number of EPMs and EPCs (exploration permits for minerals and coal) dropped in Queensland within the last three months, presumably as a result of financial stress,” managing director Justin von Perger said. That included tenements covering 7335sq m that were dropped in May, he said. Graphing figures over four years and applying a four-month rolling average showed a clear trend, with the amount of area being dropped now comparable to highs in 2009-10 as explorers continued to feel the fallout from the GFC, Mr Von Perger said. The trend in the NT was not as clear cut, with no consistent increase in ground dropped. “Mining companies drop their ground as a last resort. Your ground is your fundamental asset and is only dropped when there can be no further cost cutting made,” Mr von Perger said.

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The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Explorers ﬁnd the going tough Mining’s junior players are struggling in an uncertain climate, writes Belinda Humphries. Junior resources companies are copping a beating in their share prices as the tough financial climate for explorers raises fears of missed opportunities for the mines of the future. In the 12 months to March 31, the share values of Queensland mineral and gas explorers fell by 44.8 per cent, according to the Queensland Exploration Council. That drop in the QEC Explorers’ Index compared with a 12.7 per cent increase in the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries. And Ernst & Young recently warned that the survival of many cash-starved junior miners was under threat as it released its annual report on business risks facing mining and metals. Association of Mining and Exploration Companies regional manager Bernie Hogan said all explorers were “doing it fairly tough” at the moment. Mr Hogan said AMEC was concerned companies who had cut to the bone would not have the resources to exploit good exploration opportunities when they arose. “And if they are reducing

their exploration program we are going to see that in years to come - where there are not as many deposits found, not as many deposits become mines and there is not as much mining,” he said. “You are already seeing that drop off in exploration - it has been happening over the last few years.”

Mr Hogan said some exploration–focused companies would undoubtedly go out of business, but good projects would be swallowed up by those with the funds to exploit them. Fat Prophets resources analyst David Lennox said the juniors and mid-cap producers that group was involved with had been able to raise funds without any great difficulty through rights issues, strategic placements and share purchase plans. But these often had been at discount rates, “so the dilution factor at this point in time across the junior segment is very high’’, he said. Even in Fat Prophets’ portfolio, share prices among the mining juniors had halved over the past six months – or worse, Mr Lennox said. “Broadly speaking the (resources) sector has fallen probably 20-odd per cent from the start of 2013, so you’d expect the junior end of town would probably double that – 40 or 50 per cent. Even some producing mid-caps have fallen by that amount,” Mr Lennox said. Ivanhoe Australia - now known as Inova Resources – had fallen from around 60 cents a share in December to 17 cents in June, he said. The last six months has also

preserve whatever capital they have seen Evolution Mining shares fall from about $1.80 to about to be able to put it into the ground 50 cents, Cockatoo Coal from 12 in exploration,” Mr Dickie said. cents to three cents, and Metallica “It’s just so hard to raise risk capital Minerals from 18 cents to 10 now and with the share prices so cents, for example. low, the number of shares you have “We’ve seen a lot of companies to issue really dilutes the company.” at the junior end put a lot of The QEC has been running activity into their tenements – investor forums to allow juniors they’ve improved the tenements and mid–tier companies to outline with either the announcement projects to potential investors and of discoveries, maiden resources plans a capital-raising seminar later or upgrades and yet the market this year. has basically ignored the announcements,” Mr Lennox said. He said the market was likely to see a lot of mergers and acquisitions among the juniors if the economic uncertainty dragged on much longer. “The cycle will, in due course, turn again – but I don’t expect it any time soon,” Mr Lennox • Safety Audits and said. Compliance Reviews QEC chairman Geoff Dickie said smaller • Safety Management companies were cutting Systems Development costs through measures including salary cuts or Professional and practical solutions at people taking shares in lieu www.csmsafety.com.au of salaries. “People in the industry sales@csmsafety.com.au have traditionally done Ph: 07 4723 7652 that in the slow times to

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The Mining Advocate

Business feels bite despite the boom Resources-led growth leaves some retailers out in the cold, writes Bruce Macdonald. The mining boom has brought employment and new-found prosperity to many people living in rural communities but it has come at a profound personal cost to others. Maree Campbell’s family has run a women’s clothing store in Miles for the past 24 years and with great sadness she has decided to close the business first started by her mother. Miles is in the heart of the Surat Basin, which has seen a large influx of workers for the construction phase of major CSG-LNG projects. Mrs Campbell said the demographic of Miles was changing as families either sold their homes to make a quick profit or were squeezed out by rising rents. The departure of loyal customers has seen Mrs Campbell’s income fall by half since the end of the 2011-2012 financial year, and

it continues to fall, seeing her reduced to working for barely the basic wage. She has been commuting from Condamine, about 35km away, six days a week - which was something she was happy to do in the good old days. But with rising electricity costs, insurance and $35,000 worth of stock she can’t sell at normal retail prices, the decision to put up the closing down sale sign was inevitable. Resource economist Professor John Rolfe from the Rockhampton campus of the Central Queensland University has spent 12 years analysing impacts of industry growth on regional communities. He confirmed that speciality retail outlets like Mrs Campbell’s dress shop had become collateral damage, with certain sectors cashing in on the boom and others no longer able to prosper.

Exploration takes a back seat to proﬁts Constant pressure from investment companies and shareholders is having a detrimental effect on exploration jobs and discovery rates, industry professionals say. Former BHP chief geologist Noel White said Australian mining and exploration was under pressure to develop long-term projects under short-term investment timeframes. Despite the fact that exploration and mining projects could have a life span of decades, companies were forced to evaluate themselves on a three to six-monthly basis to satisfy investors, he said. “Investment funds have a very short-term perspective and in turn they seem to magnify things, which tends to encourage an extreme reaction,” Mr White said. One of these “extreme” reactions from companies was to cut funding in their exploration budget. “At the moment exploration funds are being slashed all over the place and it’s not because the company can’t afford it,” Mr White said. “It’s because senior management feels expected to reduce expenditure. A lot of that expectation comes from those very large investors.” He said the emergence of “massive” companies had also impacted on a reduced demand for explorers in the industry. “When companies grow too big, in an exploration sense, exploration

Noel White Former BHP chief geologist

becomes almost irrelevant to them. You have a relationship between the size of companies, and how they regard exploration. The very big ones, aren’t really committed to it because it doesn’t have an impact on their bottom line,” Mr White said. He said also that resources companies should focus their energies on fieldwork rather than the figures and data. Australian Institute of Geoscientists president Kaylene Camuti said the industry was experiencing a non-productive approach to exploration. “What we’re seeing now is a general loss of confidence in geoscientists,’’ she said. • Exploration boost - Page 28

“Some sectors like construction, engineering, accommodation and food providers do well as a result of the mining boom,” he said. “But others in the retail sector don’t.” Prof Rolfe cited Moranbah in the Bowen Basin as a prime example. He said because much of the population was fly in-fly out or drive in-drive out, their spending patterns in the retail sector were different from the locals. “They tend to buy from their home area,” Prof Rolfe said. “That has a negative impact in places like Moranbah, which should have a larger retail sector.” Prof Rolfe said the mining industry was not solely to blame

Maree Campbell in her shop in Miles.

for the changing buying patterns. “Government workers commute to regional centres and contract construction workers may stay for a couple of months,” he said.

Mrs Campbell said that in the past two years two other businesses - a second women’s clothing store and a shoe shop had closed in Miles.

Consultant tells miners to splash the cash on training Mining companies are being warned that unless they provide the appropriate financial support to geoscience subjects at universities, they may face a skills shortage in the future. Geologist and consultant Noel White said academia was a key issue in the future of exploration and that resources companies needed to do more if they wanted to keep geology graduates entering the industry. Mr White was speaking in Townsville recently, where he was a keynote speaker at the Futores conference – a threeday event attracting about 250 delegates from 15 countries. Mr White said low numbers and government pressure could encourage universities to drop geology subjects in the future. “As universities are pressed more and more by funding issues into a more commercial approach, they will make decisions about disciplines with relatively small numbers. It’s very likely that some of these (geology subjects) will be regarded as not core business for universities and they will disappear,” he said. “Companies take the view that they need technical people, but it’s up to someone else to supply them. “If the industry wants to ensure that it has technical people it needs, it really needs to be proactive in making sure that they will be available.” Mr White said that geology subjects could easily be the target when it came to cost cutting as they were generally more expensive than traditional lecture theatre-based subjects.

Mining companies have been told they need to spend money on training geologists. Photo: Stewart McLean

“In the case of geologists, very expensive business. to train a geologist you need “All universities struggle with to get them out seeing rocks this, but we are very fortunate in the field, with a hammer in that we have a very close their hand and boots on, out relationship with industry. hitting on rocks. That’s really “Is there a need for external an essential part of training,” he funds? Well yes there is and all universities in the country need said. to act about that and have the James Cook University appropriate conversations with Townsville pro-vice-chancellor industry.” of science and engineering Jeoffrey Loughran said universities across Australia were feeling financial pressure in their geology-based subjects, but that JCU was going strong. “Geology across Australia tends to be ? smaller disciplines and “ CALL JAMESTECH “ they are expensive to run * Electrical Trades and Technical Labour Hire * because you need to take “Supplying the right man for the job” the students to remote James Technologies Pty Ltd ACN. 079 932 513 locations. You need to * Electrical Construction and Engineering * take them there for quite a “Job satisfaction from start to ﬁnish” James Technologies (Projects) Pty Ltd ACN. 135 411 728 bit of time,” he said. Electrical Contractors License QLD 66397, NSW 128976C, NT C2197 “They need to * Electrical Safety & Risk Awareness Courses * experience what rocks “Learning to stay safe” look like in the field. It’s James Technologies (Training) Pty Ltd ACN. 116 604 230 Registered Training Organisation - National Training Provider (RTO) No. 31908 one thing to look at rocks Ph. 1300 732 881 (inside Australia) under a microscope in a Ph. +61-7-5549 3471 (Brisbane direct) lab but it’s another to see Ph. +61-7-4725 7706 (Townsville direct) www.jamestech.com.au them in the field and it’s a

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The Mining Advocate | July 2013

DIDO danger times ﬂagged A road safety group is building a clearer picture of driver risk, writes Bruce Macdonald. Research undertaken by the Mackay-based Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) indicates drive in-drive out coal miners working in the Bowen Basin are more prone to road accidents going to work than coming off shift. RAAG road safety co-ordinator Graeme Ransley stressed that he could not substantiate the findings with statistics, but pointed to a growing body of anecdotal evidence. Mr Ransley said the statistic had remained hidden because of the manner in which police who attend road accidents report the incident. “The police and fire brigade tell me that accidents going to work are more than 50 per cent (of the total involving mine workers),” he said. “Police reports don’t list the start of the journey and we are working in this area.”

The National Trucking Research Centre 2013 Major Accident Investigation Report indicates a similar trend, finding that the greatest proportion of accidents (70.5 per cent) happened on the outward bound leg from the truck driver’s home port. Mr Ransley said mine workers often had two jobs. “Some of them work on the land when they finish their shift at the mine,” he said. “Many of these workers are returning to work already tired.” RAAG is a member of the Mining Industry Road Safety Alliance (MIRSA), comprised of 160 organisations actively involved in keeping the highways safe in and around Mackay and beyond. Mr Ransley said the mining companies in the Bowen Basin had worked together to set up a Mining Industry Fatigue

Drive in-drive out coal miners are more prone to road accidents going to work.

Guidelines document last year and were now policing it. RAAG is funded by the Bowen Basin mining companies and works to reinforce the dangers of driver fatigue. Mr Ransley said a new publicity blitz would hit all the mining sites

in the Bowen Basin in July. “There will be educational sheets about driver fatigue put in accommodation blocks, in canteens and even on the back of doors in toilets,” he said. Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines

Isa residents worried about future The Glencore Xstrata shake-up in Mount Isa has left some community members worried about the future of mining operations in the area. The North West Star recently reported that Glencore Xstrata staff had been told the Mount Isa Mine copper operations could close in 2019, rather than 2021 as previously announced. Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ) chairman David Glasson said residents had been worried, but that some reports had been blown out of proportion. “There’s this fixation on the mine life,

but mine life goes up and down all of the time,” he said. “Who knows what will happen in two years’ time? That’s just mining, that’s how it is. “A lot of business people in town seem worried and have put things on hold. I don’t think you can attribute that to Xstrata, I think people just get nervous.” Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady said it was normal for the community to be anxious about change, but that historically changes like the recent Glencore Xstrata merger were of benefit to locals. “The reality is that when you have a change like this coupled with a downturn

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in metal prices, and a downturn in the industry, people can be forgiven for being a little bit insecure. “People who live in Mount Isa know how the industry works. Who knows what will be discovered in the future.” Cr McGrady is looking at ways to ensure the future of mining in the Mount Isa region through what he describes as stage two of the Carpentaria Mineral Province. “With the advent of uranium mining in Queensland I suggest to the Premier that it is time for stage two of Carpentaria Mineral Province to be established,” he said.

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Photo: Stewart McLean

principal media officer Jamie Collins said the Mine Safety and Health division continued to work with industry, unions and other government departments to achieve better fatigue management outcomes for all mining employees.

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REGIONAL ROUND-UP

July 2013 |

The Mining Advocate

Moranbah

Cairns

Community members have raised concerns about alcohol-fuelled violence in Moranbah amid Queensland Police Union calls to double police numbers in the mining town. The police workforce stationed in Moranbah was struggling to operate safely on a 24-hour basis, QPU central Queensland regional representative Sergeant Bill Feldman told the Daily Mercury. Meanwhile concerned community members said mine workers living in camps had skewed the town’s true population, leaving it under-policed, the paper reported. About 200 people joined an “Increase the Peace in Moranbah” meeting at the Moranbah Community Workers Club in June to discuss the issue.

The mining industry was urged to back a push for a new far northern power station at a recent conference in Cairns. Geologist Brett Duck made the call for business and community leaders to put the matter on the agenda, The Cairns Post reported. He said the Solar Silicon Resource Group’s $1.5 billion silica quartz project at Mt Surprise would need “as much power as the city of Cairns” to process the quartz. SSRG commercial operations manager Andrew Hamilton said the company would require 210MW of electricity for a beneficiation plant and a smelter if it was to process the material locally.

Alpha

Mount Isa

Clive Palmer’s China First project has drawn thousands of protest letters highlighting anger over the planned Galilee Basin coal operation’s threat to the Bimblebox Nature Reserve. APN news sites reported that more than 4000 joined in a campaign of sending form letters against the project to the Department of State Development from Bimblebox’s conservation website. Concerned farmers and conservationists took issue with comments in the recently released environmental impact report for China First, also known as the Galilee Coal Project, warning that the mine needed areas of the Bimblebox Nature Reserve for it to be viable, APN said. The $8 billion China First project, to be developed by the Palmer-owned Waratah Coal, is proposed to include a 40mtpa thermal coal operation near Alpha as well as rail and port infrastructure. The Federal Government recently renewed Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status for the development, which has already been declared a “significant project” by the Queensland Government. Waratah Coal is awaiting approval of an Environmental Impact Statement and a Supplementary EIS for the project from the Queensland Co-ordinator General and the federal Environment Minister.

The RACQ NQ Rescue Helicopter Service has been battling for funds to continue its operations after Legend International Holdings announced it would defer sponsorship payments until completing its fundraising activities. Service chief executive Alex Dorr told The North West Star this equated to $100,000 in lost income this year and $60,000 next year for the Mount Isa based aeromedical service. The State Government has knocked back funding pleas from the helicopter service, however Pickering’s Mount Isa recently pledged $60,000 over three years. Mr Dorr said the service raised more than $1.4 million per year to keep flying. Legend International Holdings reaffirmed its commitment to the Paradise phosphate project in the region in the wake of the sponsorship decision, ABC News reported.

Clermont Rio Tinto has received expressions of interest from India’s Coal India, China’s Shenhua Group and the Aditya Birla Group for Australian coal assets including its stake in the Clermont and Blair Athol mines, according to The Australian. The news followed a Wall Street Journal report in April that Rio Tinto had hired Deutsche Bank to sell its interest in the central Queensland thermal coal mines and a stake in its NSW-focused Coal & Allied unit. Spokespeople for Rio Tinto, Shenhua Australia, Aditya Birla Group and Coal India declined to comment on the potential deal, The Australian said.

Moura Investigations are continuing into the cause of a rock fall at Anglo American’s Dawson mine near Moura. Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Gavin Taylor described the night-time incident as very serious. “It was fortunate no mine personnel were injured in the incident,” Mr Taylor said. “Two vehicles parked in the area of a surface highwall at the mine were damaged by falling rock.” Normal production and excavation operations were allowed to resume in all other areas of the open-cut operation shortly after the May incident.

Ipswich OGL Resources plans to have the Ebenezer coal mine south-west of Ipswich operational next year after an appeal against the project was thrown out of court, The Queensland Times reports. OGL announced plans to spend $50 million over 12 months to recommission the site, with work to begin once enough capital was raised to purchase it from Zedemar Holdings, the paper reported. OGL managing director and chief executive officer Allan Fidock said the Court of Appeal result would allow the company to actively engage with the local community, explaining its plans for the Ebenezer mining lease and adjacent Bremer View project. “It has been frustrating for us and detrimental to the wider Ipswich community that these unsuccessful legal challenges have delayed for almost 18 months the advancement of these projects,” Mr Fidock said.

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The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Locals have a shot at steel jobs A Gladstone project offers good construction opportunities, writes Dominique Clarke. Local businesses and workers will be a key focus during the construction of the Gladstone Steel Plant Project (GSPP). Construction will be split into eight “consortium” models in an attempt to give smaller local businesses and workers the opportunity to work together and get involved. The GSPP will employ about 2000 workers when it begins its construction phase. Gladstone Engineering Alliance general manager Carli Hobbs says the call is out for Gladstone companies who want to be part of the project. “The aim of this project is to use the local skilled workforce and local companies,” she said. “We won’t see one large company come in and build this plant, we’ll see a number of Gladstone companies come in. “We’re starting to see consortiums form. Companies who have discussed packages with Boulder Steel are currently in the process of that. Some are

also engaging with other local communities at the moment, which is fantastic to see. “The core skills they’re going to be looking for are engineering, manufacturing, marine, construction, electrical, brick laying and piping etc. It really is the core industry in Gladstone.’’ Boulder Steel recently gave presentations in Gladstone and Rockhampton to explain its project delivery plan to construction and maintenance suppliers. Company chief executive officer David Simpson says opportunities exist for workers across the board, including tertiary-qualified positions, apprenticeships and traineeships. “In production we will employ plant operators who will be degree, diploma and certificatetrained people and skilled workers such as crane drivers, equipment operators and shift crew maintenance workers,” Mr Simpson said. “We are going to provide

scholarships for low socioeconomic high school students. “We are planning extensive induction training and have had initial discussions with TAFE and CQU about setting up the induction program. We have also had initial discussions with CQU about modifying existing chemistry and metallurgy courses to adapt them to the steel industry.”

In addition to the 2000 jobs during construction phase, the GSPP is expected to create an estimated 1800 permanent positions once the plant is operational. About 1300 of these permanent jobs will be on site and 500 will be full-time equivalent maintenance workers. Initial recruitment for the construction phase of the GSPP

will commence by late 2013. Based on the current timeline, the GSPP will commence construction in late 2014 or early 2015, subject to satisfying all requirements. The timeline is set to coincide with the completion of the Gladstone LNG developments, opening up the opportunity for LNG workers who will be looking for their next project.

The roof for one of the Australia Pacific LNG project’s two LNG storage tanks was raised into place in June – marking the halfway point for the construction project.

Business bears brunt of coal industry blues LNG roles continue to ﬂow Supply chain businesses are feeling the pinch from the coal downturn, with Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce chair Tim Miles warning that more closures are inevitable if it continues. Mr Miles was commenting after Glencore Xstrata announced in late June that it would reduce production at Oaky Creek and Newlands mines, resulting in the loss of 450 jobs by the end of the year. This came as Peabody Energy confirmed it would slash 450 contractor positions from its operations across Queensland and New South Wales in a bid to reduce costs. Meanwhile Anglo American announced it would place its Aquila coal mine, 25km south-west of Middlemount in central Queensland, under care and maintenance from July 30. Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce figures reveal that 53 per cent of businesses in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday districts rely directly or indirectly on mining activity in and around the Bowen Basin. A management consultant in his day job, Mr Miles said he knew of three businesses which had been forced to close. He said some businesses had over-capitalised, some had made poor decisions, while other business owners were just unlucky with their timing. “Those business owners who are willing to plan their future, adapt to their new operating conditions and confront the brutal facts of what needs fixing in their businesses have a better chance of success than those who crawl into the foetal position and wait for the storm to pass,” Mr Miles said. Mr Miles remained bullish about the longer-term future of the coal industry but cautioned that businesses would not see record commodity prices again. He said all levels of government had been living off the revenues generated by significant increases in commodity prices during the mining boom of the last decade and had been spending like the proverbial drunken sailor. “But now that these commodity prices have fallen to more normal levels, everyone needs to readjust their expectations on what governments can provide without increasing revenues and broadening their revenue base,” Mr Miles said. The Queensland Resources Council estimates that about 7000 jobs have been lost across the state’s coal industry over the past 15 months. • CQ Coal Prospects feature - Pages 12-18

Employment in Queensland’s CSG/LNG industry has reached a new high of almost 30,000 workers, with LNG companies also injecting more than $20 billion into businesses across the state, according to the State Government. Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said QGC and its contractors employed 11,600 people, while direct and indirect employees at the APLNG project totalled 10,100 at the end of April, and Santos’ GLNG project had created about 6800 jobs. Mr Seeney said also Arrow Energy had provided more than 1250 jobs for Queensland and engaged about 2000 contractors through its domestic gas and power operations as well as its CSG/LNG aspirations. A new labour market index launched by the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) shows Australian resource employers will experience a potential skills shortage of 4000 specialist welders and boilermakers as the mechanical phases of major LNG projects ramp up. Other skills shortages expected during 2013 include pipe fitters, mechanical fitters, electrical trades, crane operators, riggers and scaffolders, production managers, experienced

production operators and engineering technicians. “LNG investment is having the most significant impact on the demand for labour and, despite the need for urgent policy action to address productivity and cost pressures, employment numbers are still set to increase over 2013 towards an expected peak in 2014,” AMMA director of group services Tara Diamond said. “The index also shows that while Queensland and Western Australia are home to the majority of major projects, the Northern Territory will experience the greatest labour shortages. “Labour demand for the Northern Territory’s emerging resource industry will peak at 5644 skilled construction and trade workers in the coming year,

but availability risks being just half of that.” The principal contractor for the three Gladstone LNG projects under construction, Bechtel, is seeking about 500 further workers. Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg stressed that the trades the company specifically required were highly skilled roles, requiring years of relevant experience and an expert level of workmanship. While Bechtel had been able to enlist qualified locals to fill the majority of roles to date in Gladstone, it had always expected to face local shortages particularly in areas such as special class welders, instrument fitters, electricians and riggers – requiring recruitment from outside the region, he said.

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NEWS

July 2013 |

Teams rise to airbag challenge Broadmeadow topped a fine field at a recent rescue contest, writes Belinda Humphries. Competitors tackled a scenario requiring use of an airbag lifting device for the first time in this year’s Queensland Mines Rescue Service Memorial Cup – coming through with flying colours. Chief assessor Ray Smith said the use of these devices, designed to lift heavy objects and release trapped people in mining workplaces, would now be a permanent fixture of official QMRS competitions. “Use of this tool now forms part of our core business,” Mr Smith said. “The mines department has put out a recommendation that mines should have the capacity to remove people when trapped by using this tool.” The Broadmeadow team claimed victory at the 2013 QMRS Memorial Cup competition, held at Vale’s Carborough Downs mine near

Moranbah in May. They were followed by Cook colliery, Newlands North and Oaky North teams – which will join Broadmeadow in contesting the EK Healy Cup at North Goonyella coal mine on July 25 against Queensland’s top four teams from 2012. Rescue personnel from Carborough Downs, Moranbah North and Oaky No. 1 also competed in the 2013 QMRS Memorial Cup competition. The Carborough Downs team won the George Carbine Shield for excellence in first aid. Mr Smith said all teams had fared well in the scenario involving the airbag lifting device. “There’s been ongoing training now for the last 12 months in our system. This is the first time we have assessed it at that high a level and the reports all show

excellent results,” he said. Mr Smith said the skill level generally displayed at the Queensland rescue competitions seemed to lift year after year. “In terms of scoring, the percentage of improvements would be 5 to 10 per cent compared to last year,” he said of the QMRS Memorial Cup performances. “It’s quite pleasing to see.” The top four teams from the memorial cup competition will face rescue crews from North Goonyella, Crinum, Grasstree and Kestrel mines in the EK Healy Cup. The Kestrel Mine Rescue Team last year won the Queensland Mines Rescue Service Memorial Cup as well as the EK Healy Cup before going on to claim the national title at the 50th Australian Mines Rescue Underground Competition in October.

THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION: PUTTING MINERS SAFETY FIRST ARE YOU WORRIED THAT YOUR ENTITLEMENTS AND WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS MAY BE UNDER THREAT? ONLY THE AWU - QUEENSLAND STRONGEST UNION - IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING MINERS’ JOBS AND ENTITLEMENTS. THE AWU HAVE WORKED HARD OVER THE PAST 127 YEARS IN ENSURING THAT THROUGH THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD, WORKERS REMAIN STRONGER TOGETHER NOT AN AWU MEMBER YET? THEN JOIN THE AWU TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ENTITLEMENTS NORTH QUEENSLAND AWU MINING OFFICIALS: TOWNSVILLE-COWBOY STOCKHAM 0419 737990 MT ISA-HAG HARRISON 0428192985 FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT AWU BRANCH OFFICE TOLL FREE ON 1800 671 449 OR www.qld.awu.net.au BY STANDING TOGETHER AS A TEAM AWU MEMBERS CAN ENSURE THAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED Authorised by Ben Swan, The Australian Workers’ Union, Queensland

The Mining Advocate

Northern Australian Emergency Response Competition 2012 winners BHP Billiton Cannington tackle the hazardous materials scenario.

Rallying call for NT rescue competition Organisers are putting a call out for teams to join this year’s Northern Australian Emergency Response Competition, to be held in Darwin from September 4 to 8. Competition manager Linda Young said the “friendly” event was open to mining operations and other emergency response teams across northern Queensland and Western Australia as well as the Northern Territory. Queensland’s BHP Billiton Cannington mine took on teams from Xstrata McArthur River Mining, Newmont Tanami and Rio Tinto Argyle in the 2012 event to take home the trophy for the second year running. Ms Young, the director of Darwin Co-ordinators, said a tough economic climate and skill shortages in the industry had contributed to the limited turnout in 2012. BHP Billiton Cannington, Xstrata McArthur River, Savannah Nickel, Rio Tinto Argyle and Crocodile Gold had nominated for the 2013 event to date, she said “It is extremely important for teams, individuals and companies to be able to test their acquired skills in as close to real life as possible to ascertain how effective their training has been,” Ms Young said. For more information on the Northern Australian Emergency Response Competition contact Ms Young on 0419 228 785 or email linda@ darwincoordinators.com.au

NEWS

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Firm gets a handle on the job A Mackay engineering company has impressed in tackling a tough task, writes Bruce Macdonald The enormous size of equipment used on mining sites, particularly open-cut operations, presents equally large problems for engineering firms tasked with its refurbishment. Such was the challenge facing Mackay-based company Zemek Engineering, which was confronted with the dipper handle of a massive 4100A electric rope shovel from the Saraji coal mine in the Bowen Basin. Sales manager Paul Allinson

said the dipper handle - which connects to the bucket - was nearly 12m long and weighed 44 tonnes. It had become heavily abraded and also had stress fracturing in sections, which involved Zemek Engineering staff working in confined spaces with welding equipment. The then general manager of the company Tony Muscat came up with an engineering solution that secured the dipper handle in an elevated position and also allowed

Zemek Engineering general manager Carl Howe and sales manager Paul Allinson. Photo: Damien Carty

staff to rotate the handle to allow safe, easy access for welders. Two wheels were fabricated for

the job, each with a 4.4m diameter and sitting on a 4.2m base plate. Mr Allinson said in addition to

the safety benefits of the bespoke equipment, staff could complete far superior down-hand welds because of the rotation system. He said Zemek Engineering workers were not the only people impressed with what is called a dipper handle rotation system. “Staff from the Saraji mine came and had a look at the job and how we were going about it and were quite impressed,” he said. So were the Queensland Safe Awards judges and the company shared the Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business Award at the 2013 Safe Work Australia Awards.

Event gets bigger and bigger

Zero harm the focus of MAIN Bowen Basin safety conference

It started 25 years ago as a forum for Queensland coal industry figures to get together and discuss a common interest - workplace safety and health - and is now one of the biggest events of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. A host of keynote speakers and specialists will gather in Townsville on August 18-20 for the 2013 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference. Organising committee chairman and Australian Workers Union representative Hag Harrison said the event had grown dramatically in recent years, underscoring the importance of workplace safety and health. In the past two years the attendance record has been broken, with 830 delegates flocking to Townsville in 2012 to listen to experts address the conference theme of: “New Era in Health and Safety”. This year the three-day

long way. But I think we need This year’s MAIN Bowen Basin safety conference aims to identify to get to that next level of safety new ways of moving closer to a management.” “zero harm” mining industry. The conference will be held at The theme in 2013 is “Great the Mackay Entertainment and Safety is Great Business: People Convention Centre on July 25. don’t care how much you know until they know For quality construction of how much you care.” Speakers at the event structural, mechanical & piping will include rugby league in NQ, you’ll need Mineforce. legend Shane Webcke and a range of industry > Steel Fabrication > Project leaders and lawyers. Management > CNC Machining Mastermyne managing > Off Shore > De-Construction director Tony Caruso, Fabrication who is facilitating a > Poly Welding > Structural and panel discussion, said > Plant Hire Mechanical conference attendees > Civil Construction Installation could expect to take away some good tips on managing safety. “The key issue with safety is that we’re still ofﬁce (07) 4759 0300 fax (07) 4759 0333 hurting people in the 7-8 Reward Court Bohle Q 4818 mining industry,’’ Mr Caruso said. ‘‘We’re email info@mineforce.com striving towards zero web www.mineforce.com harm and we’ve come a

The Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference continues to grow. Photo: Mark Duffus

gathering at the Townsville Convention and Entertainment Centre will address a range of issues under the connecting banner of: “One Constant, Health and Safety”. The event features seven keynote presentations, 36 concurrent presentations, an interactive facilitated session on major health and safety issues, access to more than 60 trade displays and three evening networking functions. Professor Geoffrey Blainey is among the keynote speakers,

with a presentation “The Mt Lyell Disaster of 1912: What lessons can still be learned from Australia’s worst accident in a metalliferous mine?” Ian Johnson is an industrial accident survivor and advocate for OH&S awareness whose firsthand account of his journey will sheet home the importance of a safe work environment. Mr Harrison, who has attended the past 14 conferences, said he found the annual event valuable not just for the quality speakers but the networking opportunities.

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LEGAL ISSUES

July 2013 |

The Mining Advocate

New deﬁnition clearer for all The new financial year has brought changes to the definition of a worker for workers’ compensation purposes. WorkCover Queensland chairman Glenn Ferguson said moving to the same definition used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) would make it easier for employers and workers to know who was covered for the purposes of workers’ compensation. “Aligning the definition should make declaring workers and their wages for premiums easier for employers. Workers can be confident about whether they are covered or not, and if not ensure they have their own personal injury insurance,” he said. A worker is defined as “a person who works under a contract and, in relation to the work, is an employee for the purpose of assessment for PAYG withholding under the Taxation Administration Act 1953’’. Under the new definition, only an individual can be a worker and therefore if you engage a corporation, or have entered into an agreement with a partnership

or trust they will not be classified as a worker. The changes in the definition will also mean that individuals who supply and operate their own plant, quote for the job, provide their tools of trade, rectify defects at their own expense, and those who subcontract or employ labour and have a personal services business determination (PSBD) from the ATO will no longer be covered for workers’ compensation. Sole traders and individual Australian Business Number (ABN) holders are among those still classed as workers. The ATO has guidelines on its website and an online tool for determining employee and contractor status. Mr Ferguson said the main impact of the change would be in the construction and transport industries, where there were different contracting arrangements. “The information and tools supplied by the ATO for establishing employee versus a contractor are very clear. WorkCover will use these

tools in determining who should be covered for workers’ compensation, and this will ensure decisions are consistent,” he said. Anyone with questions regarding obligations for workers’ compensation insurance should call 1300 362 128.

The legal definition of a worker has changed when it comes to determining injury compensation. Photo: Christopher Knight

Support sought for supervisors Supervisors play a crucial role in the recovery and early return to work of injured workers, according to WorkCover Queensland. Customer services manager Jane Stevens said it was important that supervisors were supported and had an awareness of workplace disability prevention and the far-reaching benefits of a safe workplace and employee wellbeing. Research had shown that the return-to-work process and rehabilitation were more effective if closely linked or located in the workplace. Ms Stevens said employers needed to have

a person who co-ordinated the return to work program. “This is often where the direct supervisor comes in to aid or co-ordinate the return-to-work program,” she said. WorkCover Queensland’s mining and resources team can provide guidance and support on injury management best practice. Employers seeking more information on supporting their supervisors and workers should contact WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128 or go online – www.workcoverqld.com.au.

INDUSTRY UPDATE - HARD ROCK

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

New name for Ivanhoe Ivanhoe Australia, owner of the Osborne copper-gold operations in north-west Queensland, will change its name to Inova Resources after a special resolution was passed at its recent annual general meeting. In a market announcement, the company said the renaming underlined the significant changes that had occurred over the past year, including board renewal, the appointment of a new chief executive officer and the emergence of a clearer direction for the company. “Inova Resources will bring renewed rigour and technical capability to develop innovative options for our high-quality projects such as Merlin (molybdenum and rhenium project),” chief executive officer Bob Vassie said.

Juniors unite over Barbara Syndicated Metals has teamed up with Exco Resources to advance its flagship Barbara copper-gold project in northwest Queensland. The company recently entered a memorandum of understanding with Exco encompassing the joint evaluation, development, mining and processing of the deposit. Exco is expected to fork out up to $1.7 million for exploration over the joint venture project area as well as funding a feasibility study. Following a decision to mine, it would enter into a 50/50 joint venture with Syndicated to finance, develop and operate the Barbara project. The Barbara project, 60km north-east of Mount Isa, has an indicated and inferred mineral resource of 5.3 million tonnes with 74,200 tonnes of contained copper. Syndicated and Exco believe that there is an opportunity to develop Barbara through an initial open pit to extract oxide and sulphide ore, with the material being processed through the existing Copperchem facilities. Subject to finalisation of a formal agreement, Exco will pay $1 million to Syndicated – which also has moves afoot to acquire Orbis Gold’s interests

in the area to secure 100 per cent ownership of the project area.

Fire works at Cannington BHP Billiton Cannington Mine in north-west Queensland is putting the finishing touches on a $10 million upgrade of its fire suppression infrastructure. Corrosion caused by the local water supply was one major factor behind the upgrade. Cannington mine manager engineering Johan Van Der Merwe said the project involved the commissioning of 2.4km of steel and poly piping, more than 250 new sprinkler heads and several dozen fire hydrants being put in place to safeguard critical underground sites including the fuel bay, underground explosives magazine, collection conveyor, trunk conveyor, load-out conveyors and crusher area. In addition to the sprinkler and fire hydrant upgrades, nine new foam deluge systems are in place along with hitech monitoring and indicator systems plus a smoke detection system in the underground substations..

Mt Gordon sale prospect Aditya Birla Minerals has responded to recent news reports that it is seeking a buyer for its Mt Gordon copper mine in north-west Queensland, with a possible return of $250 million. In an announcement to the market, the company said it had appointed the corporate advisory division of the ANZ Bank to undertake a strategic review of the operation and that it was examining all options available. “An appropriate release will be made once any decision is taken by the board,” the company said. The Mt Gordon operation was placed on care and maintenance in April due to falling copper prices and high production costs.

Honours for Cloncurry firm Cloncurry business Curry Contracting has taken out the Small Employer of the Year category at the 2013 Manufacturing Skills Awards.

The awards event, now in its fourth year, is run by Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ), a division of QMI Solutions. On top of 10 awards categories, an honorary award was given out to Norm Johnson from Nordon Cylinders for the Manufacturing Industry Champion 2013.

Phosphate deal sealed Krucible Metals has executed its $12 million agreement with fertiliser manufacturer Daton Group Australia for the sale of the company’s phosphate assets in north-west Queensland. The assets include the Korella trial mining lease - near Incitec Pivot’s Phosphate Hill operation, six exploration leases and five exploration applications. Krucible managing director and chief executive officer Allan Branch said the company now had the assured capacity to continue exploration activities in the North West centred on searching for base metals, precious metals, rare earths and other elements like molybdenum or uranium.

Green light for Weipa Rio Tinto Alcan has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s environmental approval of the South of Embley bauxite mining project near Weipa on Cape York. The project will extend mining operations on an area of the company’s existing mining lease south of the Embley River. Rio Tinto Alcan president and chief executive officer, bauxite and alumina, Pat Fiore said this would ensure the company’s Weipa operations generated employment and other economic benefits for another 40 years. “While our EIS already outlines a comprehensive package of measures to mitigate environmental and social impacts, the Commonwealth has required a number of additional, stringent measures,” he said. “In addition, the Queensland Government placed a range of strict controls on the project when it approved the State EIS in May last year.” Mr Fiore said the project would not

substantially change the number of bauxite ships traversing the reef and the EIS showed that potential impacts on the environment could be managed.

McArthur River momentum The mining management plan for the McArthur River Mine (MRM) Phase 3 development project has been approved. Announcing the approval, Northern Territory Mines and Energy Minister Willem Westra van Holthe said the project was going to be worth $369 million and see an increase of 300 jobs at the mine site, 900km south-east of Darwin in the Gulf Region. “MRM’s Phase 3 will extend the life of the mine by nine years to 2036 and increase mine production from 2.5 million tonnes to 5.5 million tonnes per year from 2014,” he said. “With the approval of Phase 3, MRM will become the largest zinc resource in the world.”

Dugald River milestone MMG has struck a $1 billion financing deal for the development and construction of the Dugald River mine, 65km north-west of Cloncurry. Chief executive officer Andrew Michelmore said the completion of financing arrangements for Dugald River marked a key milestone for the project. “Site development is progressing well, with total underground development now over 8000m and significant underground drilling and geotechnical work under way to enable detailed mine planning,” he said. “Construction of the permanent mine access road is about to start and a 100,000-tonne sample of Dugald River ore is being prepared for trucking to Century in July and August to conduct a production scale process test using the Century plant.” Barminco, a specialist underground hard rock mining contractor engaged by MMG, recently claimed a mine development record when it used a single twin-boom jumbo and incycle shotcrete to advance 700.4m at Dugald River during April.

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CQ Coal Prospects

July 2013 |

The Mining Advocate

Machine breaks new ground A $40 million tunnel boring machine has arrived in central Queensland to start work on Anglo American Metallurgical Coal’s Grosvenor development. The company has invested in the earth pressure balance machine to construct an 800m tunnel for the new coal mine’s underground conveyor drift and a transport drift about 960m long to take workers and vehicles to the longwall. It is the first time a tunnel boring machine has been used in mine development in Queensland, according to the Grosvenor project team. “We believe we are setting a new benchmark for the industry on how the underground drifts will be constructed in future, ” Grosvenor site manager Greg O’Donnell said. The 120m-long machine cuts an 8m diameter hole, lining the

tunnel with concrete segments as it advances and transferring waste to the surface via a conveyor system. Senior project engineer Larry Hill said the main reason Anglo American had opted for the new approach was it promised long-life ground support. “It puts a full concrete lining in the tunnel as we’re going down,” Mr Hill said. “There have been a number of mines where drifts have had ground failures - this gives us certainty that we will not have any ground failures in the design life of this tunnel.” The earth pressure balance-type of tunnel boring machine had a sealed chamber at the front, allowing any gas or water inrush in the cutting area to be contained before being discharged in a controlled manner, he said.

The first segment of the earth pressure balance machine ready for assembly at the Grosvenor mine site.

Mr Hill said the advance rate with such a machine was much better than could be achieved by conventional means. “We’d be looking at getting

rates like they achieved in (road) tunnels in Brisbane – around 8-15m in 24 hours,” he said. The machine is being assembled on site from components

originating from as far afield as the United States, Italy, Germany and China and is expected to be working on the Grosvenor project by September.

Tender process continues at Grosvenor Work packages for the $US1.7billion Grosvenor coal development are continuing to go out for tender as the construction focus heads underground. Anglo American Metallurgical Coal regional capital

procurement manager David Allen said surface works were almost complete, but underground packages would continue to be issued throughout 2013/14 for areas including installation of conveyor systems,

Progress on the people and equipment drift at Anglo American’s Grosvenor development.

underground electrics and gas drainage. The underground longwall development, set to produce about 5 million tonnes per annum of metallurgical coal, is set to go into commercial production in 2016. Anglo American Metallurgical Coal has used the Industry Capability Network website to allow potential suppliers to register against work packages. Mr Allen said successful tenderers were provided with the names of those who had registered an interest. “That allows the successful tenderers to go back and say ‘would you like to give us a price on this particular aspect as a subcontractor’,” he said. “…We also let all those companies that have posted an interest know the name of the

successful tenderer, allowing them to deal directly (offering a subcontracting service). So we’ve put a loop in place via the ICN gateway to maximise local opportunities.” The majority of packages closed for applications in March, however would-be subcontractors can still log on to the ICN Gateway at www.angloamerican. icn.org.au to see who wins the contracts as they are awarded. Anglo American has also been running educational sessions in Moranbah through the Enterprise Connect organisation to assist local businesses in building their capabilities to work with the company. “It has been a two-pronged approach,” Mr Allen said. “The project has specifically registered its packages with ICN

and then there is the Enterprise Connect coaching, mentoring and growing local businesses to be able to satisfy the Anglo American requirements.” The on-site workforce at Grosvenor was about 400 strong on any day in June and is due to peak around 550 workers daily, or 700 across shifts, in coming months. Grosvenor site manager Greg O’Donnell said the next few months should see the majority of the bulk earthworks finalised, the conveyor drift advancing, and the start of installation of the overland conveyor. Coal from the Grosvenor mine will be processed at the Moranbah North coal handling and preparation plant, which is due to undergo an expansion.

CQ Coal Prospects

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Industry focus on asset optimisation Demand for asset optimisation services should continue to rise as the resources and energy industry shifts its focus from capital-intensive greenfield projects to getting the most out of existing operations, according to engineering and project management group Ausenco. Ausenco president for the Asia Pacific region and Africa Simon Cmrlec said there had been a steady increase in demand for continuous improvement services over the past 12 months as clients sought to optimise their productivity. Among the projects that group had been involved in was optimisation of the coal handling and preparation plant at the Isaac Plains mine near Moranbah, where it had achieved savings of about 15 per cent on maintenance while maintaining plant availability, he said. Ausenco recently acquired asset management and business improvement specialist the Rylson Group to maximise its opportunities in this area.

“The focus of the mining industry over the last few years has really been on increasing production by bringing new assets online, whereas now I think the focus has changed to getting the most out of those assets,” Mr Cmrlec said. “The capital has been invested, now is the time to utilise that capital as efficiently as possible. So we are seeing much more interest in these services, not just across the Bowen Basin but all parts of the mining industry.” Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said the underlying picture for coal was one of growth in demand, despite current difficulties. He agreed there was a strong focus on boosting coal production from existing assets. “It’s very much a case of trying to spread costs over more tonnes - keeping those unit costs down,” Mr Roche said. “…I think the focus on production will require supplier support around maintenance,

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very much a focus on keeping assets productive and in good condition. There are supplier opportunities for those who are very much plugged into the operational aspects of mining as opposed to those who tend to focus their business on building new assets. “The clear message, though, from the coal companies is that they are expecting suppliers to sharpen the pencil in terms of their costs.” Mr Roche said there was no doubt the flow of new coal mine projects would slow, however he saw newer players and mid-sized companies as a source of growth. “While the majors have some global strategies that would make it very hard for the local coal business to make a case for attracting investment capital at the moment and in the foreseeable future, there are companies like QCoal and Bandanna Energy and the Galilee Basin projects that are continuing to move their projects forward through the EIS and regulatory system,” he said. “That’s not to say they won’t

Ausenco has helped improve CHPP performance at the Isaac Plains mine.

have challenges raising the capital - but if there’s going to be new interest that’s where it will come from.” Meanwhile Rail Skills Australasia (RSA) has urged employers in Queensland mining towns to invest in the human resources and skills required for

proposed coal rail infrastructure projects. RSA spokeswoman Belinda Rowell said rail infrastructure linking planned Galilee Basin coal projects to Abbot Point would require a workforce of more than 1700 within the next five years, for example.

Hard work pays oﬀ for SJ Higgins

The eight-bay workshop built by SJ Higgins Group at Lake Vermont.

Contractor SJ Higgins Group is making inroads in the Bowen Basin coalfields and a key executive believes its commercial construction background may offer an edge in tight times. State manager for Queensland Nick Raselli said while there was still project work to be won during the downturn, it was probably less than suppliers were used to. “We were so used to commercial building margins that we were very competitive in the mining environment,” he said. SJ Higgins recently completed an expansion project in the

mine industrial area at Jellinbah Resources’ Lake Vermont operation, north-east of Dysart, to take capacity to 8mtpa of metallurgical coal. The work included building an eight-bay workshop for ultra-class haul trucks, an 800,000-litre fuel depot, a wash bay and associated water treatment plants and electrical works. It followed work completed last year at Peabody Energy’s Burton mine including an ultraclass workshop and electrical fitout of all mine industrial areas including workshops, stores, lighting towers and transformers.

Mr Raselli said the Lake Vermont and Burton projects had been the national company’s first construction contracts in the Bowen Basin coalfields. “We’re also doing an amenities building and electrical workshop at the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Liebherr Mining’s facilities expansion in the Pilbara and Perth,” he said. Mr Raselli said SJ Higgins had acted as coal mine operator for the expansion area at Lake Vermont during construction, meaning the site operated under its safety systems rather than the mine owner’s. Being authorised to act in this capacity under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act meant SJ Higgins crews’ induction processes could be streamlined to start work within hours of arriving on site rather than having to go through days of induction training under the host mine’s safety systems, Mr Raselli said. “That is a big positive for us as a company,” he said.

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CQ Coal Prospects

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Bandanna ahead in the main game Location and quality of resource are among the factors that have given Bandanna Energy’s Springsure Creek project firm footing despite the tough environment for coal, managing director Michael Gray says. The company hopes to have the project under construction by mid-2014 and shipping thermal coal out of Gladstone’s new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) from the second quarter of 2015. The planned underground mine, 40km south of Emerald in central Queensland, is expected to cost $650-750 million in its initial development - increasing to about $1.1 billion for two longwalls to take capacity out to 11mtpa. It would create 580 operational jobs and about 400 in the construction period, Mr Gray said. Bandanna is in discussions with Chinese and Korean electricity generators as it courts potential joint venture parties in the project. Mr Gray said while it was a difficult environment in which to raise finance for coal projects, Bandanna was in a good position with Springsure Creek. “We have a healthy cash balance for a small company, which has enabled us to continue, but it is certainly a difficult market for getting investment in projects,” he said. “We certainly see Springsure Creek in a very different position to a lot of the other coal assets that are currently for sale or

Michael Gray Bandanna Energy managing director

looking for funding.” Bandanna Energy was very confident about the long-term demand for thermal coal and, with the challenges of building new projects, believed it would be difficult to get new supply to meet that demand. Springsure Creek was in a very good position as it had a large resource with a potential 40-year mine life, was well advanced in the approval process and was in a southern Bowen Basin location surrounded by operating mines, Mr Gray said. “We’re only 38km from the existing rail line, so we don’t need the hundreds of kilometres of new rail that other bigger greenfield projects are looking for,” he said. “That’s why our capital cost is certainly less and why in a

tough market it’s easier to build a project like ours than some of those other projects, which are a longer way away.” Mr Gray believed it would take some time for the raft of thermal projects proposed for the Galilee Basin to get off the ground. “We also have a project in the Galilee Basin – South Galilee (in joint venture with AMCI),” he said. “I think the Galilee Basin will certainly have its day, because demand continues to increase, but just due to the current state of the market and the high capital costs it will take longer than people originally expected.” Bandanna also has an advanced PCI coal project near Dingo in the Bowen Basin Dingo West, however Mr Gray said Springsure Creek was the company’s primary focus for development as it was larger and had contracted port capacity at WICET Stage 1. “We are continuing drilling (at Dingo West) and to progress approvals, but given some of the pushback on the PCI market we are probably not pushing quite as hard as we were 12 months ago,” he said. “But we are still confident there’s a low-cost, low-capital project there which we can develop relatively quickly.” Bandanna aimed to have approvals in place for that project some time in the second half of next year, he said.

A gantry being unloaded for the WICET project.

Photo: Murray Ware

Loads of progress at terminal project The Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) project recently received two key component shipments as stage one continues on track for operations to begin in early 2015. Seven SinoStruct fabricated stacker gantries, weighing 108 to 235 tonnes, arrived at Gladstone in May. Once constructed and commissioned on site by John Holland, they will deliver coal from the overland conveyor, which runs from the rail receival facility to the coal stockyard. Their arrival was followed in June by a 23m-high, 350-tonne surge bin to assist in loading coal for export. WICET general manager project development Gerry Randell described the deliveries as significant milestones. “These shipments, which mark the arrival of major steel components for the project, reflect our shift in focus from civil to mechanical and structural works,” he said. A further four shipments will be required to deliver the remaining stockpile infrastructure equipment including further gantries, stacker bridges and supporting legs, central carriage and tripper assembly. Construction of stage one of the industry-funded coal terminal project is more than 50 per cent complete.

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The Mining Advocate | July 2013

CQ Coal Prospects

Boost for big wheels

Komatsu Australia regional general manager - Queensland Dean Gaedtke with Woollams Constructions director Craig Percival at the opening.

Komatsu Australia has boosted its capacity to assemble 960E trucks in Mackay and added the ability to roll out WA1200 wheel loaders with a multi-million dollar expansion of the company’s Connors Rd facility. The upgrade is part of a two-stage expansion in Mackay, which will also see Komatsu Australia open a new customer support facility, also in Paget. The recently opened upgraded Connors Rd complex is the sole Australian assembly location for Komatsu’s largest truck, the 960E, which has a haulage capacity of 330 tonnes. “The central Queensland fleet of 960Es is the largest anywhere in the world, and as such our investment in Mackay is of global significance to Komatsu,” Komatsu Australia managing director Sean Taylor said.

Positive signs for Bluff Carabella Resources has reported a positive outcome from a detailed concept study for the Bluff PCI coal project, 20km east of Blackwater. The project economics were robust based on a truck and excavator open-cut operation, the company said. Mining lease and environmental authority applications were lodged in February. “Carabella will now advance the project into a feasibility study phase,” managing director Anthony Quin said. “Subject to the outcomes of that process, we envisage commencement of mining activities in H1 2014.”

Talwood resource strengthens Aquila Resources has announced an increase in the coal resource for its Talwood coking coal project, 35km north of Moranbah. The total JORC resource now stands at 434.9 million tonnes, up from 246.5 million, with maiden measured resources defined of 77.9 million tonnes. Aquila has lodged a mining lease application and says the resource will produce a low ash coking coal with a thermal coal byproduct. The tenement lies immediately east of the BMA Goonyella Riverside and Peabody North Goonyella mining operations.

Byerwen edges forward The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed $1.76 billion Byerwen coal mine, 45km south of Collinsville, has been released for public feedback. Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney described this as another important step in the rigorous assessment of the opencut coal mine project, a joint venture between QCoal and JFE Steel. “If approved, the project could provide

a huge boost to one of Queensland’s four economic pillars – resources – and create up to 350 construction jobs and up to 545 jobs when the southern and northern mine pits are operational,” Mr Seeney said. “It also has the potential to deliver up to 10 million tonnes per annum of product coal for export primarily to Asian steel mills over a 50-year project life.” The project includes four proposed mining zones - with eight open-cut pits – as well as two coal handling and preparation plants. Mr Seeney said the key potential impacts and mitigation measures addressed in the EIS included land clearance and offset strategies, the release of mine water and impacts on the Suttor River.

Tweak for Eagle Downs Aquila Resources and Vale have set a new construction schedule for their Eagle Downs underground longwall mine in response to “continuing softness” in coal prices. The joint venture partners recently approved a $97.2 million budget for the project this financial year, saying they had asked project managers to focus on critical path development tasks and reprioritise some of the scheduled early works. Works detailed under the budget include completion of the box cut and portal arches for the mine, commencement of drift driveage, establishment of power and water supply on site, and maintenance of existing gas drainage wells. Aquila Resources executive chairman Tony Poli said the overall construction schedule for Eagle Downs would be affected, with its previously anticipated completion date of November 2016 now being revised to the first half of 2017. This year’s budget included expenditure for exploration on prospective tenements adjacent to Eagle Downs, he said.

CQ Coal Prospects

July 2013 |

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The Mining Advocate

the Australian coal industry, excess port capacity in Queensland, specific shipping limitations and concerns about the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medium-term outlook, the company said. Meanwhile, North Queensland Bulk Ports general manager of planning Bob Brunner in June confirmed that weakened demand had pushed back the planned start of construction of a new two-terminal facility at Dudgeon Point near Mackay to 2015.

Extension plans assessed The State Government says environmental assessments are under way for a BMA mine extension project outside Moranbah. BMA proposes to amend its existing Red Hill Mining Lease Application to allow for an extension of three longwall panels of the Broadmeadow underground mine and a future incremental expansion of the Goonyella Riverside mine. A BMA spokeswoman said the company was seeking the approvals to enable and sustain mining activities within the existing mine complex, however it had ceased work on the Red Hill greenfields coal mine project associated with that lease application. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In August 2012, work on the Red Hill greenfields project study ceased against a backdrop of a challenging market environment,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The study remains deferred and any further consideration on timing will be based upon approvals obtained and an assessment of the market environment.â&#x20AC;?

INDUSTRY UPDATE - GAS

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Northern gas plans Armour Energy has entered an agreement with the APA Group to transport up to 330 petajoules of gas per annum from its northern Australian gas projects to Mount Isa, Sydney and various markets in Queensland. Stages 1 and 2 of the Northern Area Gas Scheme (NORGAS) will require the construction of 350km of pipeline to transport up to 130 petajoules per annum (PJ/a) of gas to Mount Isa from the project area south of Burketown. This gas will target the Mount Isa market, with the balance transported to Ballera in south-west Queensland then on to southern markets and/or Wallumbilla in southern Queensland. Armour said Stage 3 of the project would see delivery of nominally 200 PJ/a of gas to Gladstone, where the LNG industry was forecast to be short of gas required during the early stages of the LNG export projects. The fourth stage would see the interconnection of Queensland and Northern Territory gas markets and pipelines. Armour is targeting February 2016 for the delivery of first gas from its North Queensland project area.

Up, up and away

APLNG raises the roof The Australia Pacific LNG project team has successfully raised the roof of one of two LNG storage tanks – an event marking the halfway point towards first LNG export in mid-2015. ConocoPhillips downstream project manager Kent Anderson said it took less than eight hours to lift and secure the 1050-tonne, 88m domed roof. “The complexity of the roof raise is in itself a construction feat, with 1050 tonnes of carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium materials lifted into place by low air volume created by fans – in principle, not dissimilar to blowing up a camping air bed,” he said. The Curtis Island LNG facility has 2300 people working on site.

Support for Surat women The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in Queensland and the Northern Territory is seeking members for a new Surat Basin subcommittee dedicated to providing a networking platform for women in the region. The organisation is looking for a chair, co-chair, secretary and treasurer. It is also looking for regional representatives and event co-ordinators for Miles and district, Chinchilla, Tara, Jandowae, Dalby, Wandoan, Taroom, Roma, Mitchell, Injune and Surat. For more information email NAWIC QLD/ NT treasurer and national director Gabby Bush at gabby.bush@leicon.com.au.

QGC milestone The Queensland Curtis LNG project has reached another major milestone with installation of the roof on the project’s second tank on Curtis Island, near Gladstone. The 900-tonne steel dome rose 38m as fans under the structure increased air pressure during a three-

The Train 2 carbon dioxide absorber is lifted into position.

hour lift, which followed a similar process at the adjacent tank in February.

Down to earth QGC has awarded a $25million earthmoving contract to T&W Earthworks of Condamine, which is expected to double its workforce. T&W Earthworks will clear, grade and build gas well sites and roads for up to three years in the Surat Basin and is expected to employ up to 50 people to do the work. The contract brings QGC’s investment in earthmoving with Surat Basin suppliers to more than $300 million after the award of work to five local businesses in 2012. The company expected up to 250 jobs to be created by Bruhl Roadworks and Earthmoving of Tara, Mike Jones Earthmoving of Wandoan,

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Bowen Basin Mining Club luncheon

The Mining Advocate

PHOTOS: Damien Carty

Moranbah Community Centre

David McLerse (Ausenco), Jan Anfruns (Anglo American), Jodie Currie (BBMC), Margaret Davies (Anglo American) and Michael Roche (Queensland Resources Council).

Michael McGrath (GW Industrial), David McGrath (Allsafe Training), Jason Hartwell (Zero Harm Training), Tim Kummerfeld (Launch Accounting) and Ty Moore (Prime Rentals).

Shayne Ritchings (Jet Engineering), Karen McIntyre (MAIN), Tony Hutchinson (Jet Engineering), Matthew James (Fugro Spatial Solutions) and Brett Willis (Tefol Northern Division).

Dale Appleton (Isaac Regional Council), Leah Fay (BMA), Karen Looby (BMA) and Clinton Lacey (Hastings Deering).

Peter Gooch (Corefleet) and Mark Chaplin (Tex on Site) with Rob Pout (Corefleet).

Michelle Landry (LNP), Colleen Clarke Coolee and Dan Mayes (both from Clermont Group) with Mark Harper (Bushies Mining Models).

Bowen After Hours networking event Queens Beach Motor Hotel, Bowen

Andrew Wilcox (Whitsunday Regional Council), Greg France (Whitsundays Marketing and Development) and John Bakewell (Taylored Offshore Services).

David Jones (Air Construct), Jo Marks (TEL) and Bill Johnson (BAE Engineering).

Mark McNab (Abigroup), Jodi Hamilton (Quest), Jeff Byrnes (Baulderstone) and Scott Harrris (ARUP).

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Trudy Angel (Angel Signs), Colin Thompson (Melco Engeering) and Nikki Wright (Department of State Development).

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BETWEEN SHIFTS

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

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HomeGround Gladstone

Philip Brown (Aggreko Generator Rentals), Rebecca Francey (Worley Parsons) and Neil McDonaugh (HomeGround Villages).

Wally Ingra with Pamela Rosenthal (HomeGround Villages) and Julie Ingra.

Mal Broomhall (The Bullion Group) and Nicola Bridges (ALS Environmental).

Warren Lancaster and Bryce Hassam (both from Energy Power Systems).

Ben Byrne (Decmil Group), Owen Nevin (CQ University) and Peter Granato (HomeGround Villages).

Chris Dunphy (MIPEC), Julie-Ann Devilee (Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) and Derek Leach (McCoskers Contracting).

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Shane Burt (Hamilton Island Services) with Mike Grayson and Andrew Sheales (both Central Highlands Regional Council).

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Neville Bell, Dwayne Lazar, Tony Black and David Ward (all from Isaac Regional Council).

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Matt Webb (Isaac Regional Council), Bruce Kerr (Bluewater Sound and Lighting) and Jamie Roberts (Isaac Regional Council).

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Engineers Australia Gen2x event

The Mining Advocate

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Anura, Mangala and Roshini Fernando (JCU).

Jamie Russell, Sam MacDonald and Lachlan Plumb (JCU Engineering Undergraduate Society).

Glenn Stephens (Consult Civil), Kiel Shutterworth (Port of Townsville) and Charlie Morgan (GHD).

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Eric Roberts (JCU), George Case (JCU post-graduate) and Cheng Tong Pang (JCU geology student).

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Johannes Mendgen, Cat Curtis and Pierre Warburton (all Aston Metals).

Craig Hart (Mineral Deposit Research Unit) and Adele Seymon (AMIRA-International).

Ellen Eastaugh (Xstrata Copper) and Rachael Hammond (Anglogold Ashanti).

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The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Civil Contractors Federation NT Branch golf day

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Garden Park Golf Links, Darwin

Mic Bellis, Vincent Wilson, Dylan McLachlan, Roy Waiomio and Gordon Alexander (NT Bitumen).

Brad Campbell, Greg Morhan and Mark Nicholls (ATOM Supply).

Marcia Kelly, Kevin Williams (Civil Contractors Federation) and Ross Lindsay.

Leonie Cornell, Denise Turnbull, Vera Howe and Lisa Chapman (East Arm Civil).

Brian Gallaugher, David Armstrong, Chris Pick and Ashley Harrison (Territoria Civil).

Michael Edwards, Chris Irvine and Des Irvine (Komatsu).

Australia China Minerals Investment Summit

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Darwin Convention Centre

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The Mining Advocate

Camps dish up healthier lifestyle Easternwell camp residents are getting more greens as the company’s Healthy Lifestyle Program hits the mark. The drilling and well-servicing company has significantly overhauled its camp menus to boost the workforce’s vegetable consumption and decrease red meat consumption. In just six months, Easternwell reports vegetable consumption has increased by 10 per cent and red meat consumption has decreased by 10 per cent, with workers eating more seafood and chicken instead. Easternwell Camp Management general manager Marco Waanders said workers on camps and rigs encountered many barriers to choosing healthy options. “Being away from home and

the family support network can sometimes result in a lack of motivation to eat well,” he said. “So we have been working hard to not only dish up healthier food options but provide the knowledge and encouragement about how to live a healthier life. “The key to making this program successful is that we are simply providing people with the means to make small yet significant changes such as filling up a little more on vegetables and trying to alternate red meat consumption with seafood or chicken.” Following the success of the first six months of the program, Easternwell is aiming to chalk up a further 10 per cent increase in vegetable consumption in the next 12 months. Terry Sanders from Easternwell Santos Mobile

Camp in Injune said he’d noticed a difference in his health since the program was implemented. “It can get pretty tough to stay motivated to eat well when you’re out on roster,” he said. “When I go to fill up my dinner plate, there are so many delicious yet healthy options to choose from now.” The program, which took two years to develop in conjunction with RHealth Limited, also promotes such measures as reducing sugar intake and increasing water intake during the summer months. Easternwell also recently started a campaign to assist staff to quit smoking and provide them with free nicotine replacement products and organised counselling sessions with Quitline.

Darren Hanalo is among the Easternwell Camp Management crews plating up more vegetables under a healthy lifestyle program. Photo: Paul Harris

Ausco Modular ﬁnds room for expansion near Bowen Ausco Modular has snapped up a 436room village outside Bowen in North Queensland as “a strategic long-term acquisition”. The camp at Merinda, near the Abbot Point port facilities, was previously owned by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation and managed by Ausco during coal terminal expansion work. Ausco Modular acquired it recently for an undisclosed sum following a tender process, adding the camp to its Stayover workers’ accommodation network. Ausco Modular general manager for strategic development Roger Bradford

said the site was very well positioned to service a raft of developments stemming from Bowen and Galilee basin coal projects, particularly associated rail and coal terminal construction work. “There’s no specific client we’re targeting at this point in time but certainly a number of companies have expressed interest in the site for their accommodation requirements,” Mr Bradford said. The site has development approval for up to about 500 rooms and preliminary planning approval that would allow it to go to 1000 people, he said. While there

were no immediate plans for such an expansion, Mr Bradford said the option was there if clients’ accommodation needs exceeded 436 rooms. The Merinda village was temporarily closed pending the expected construction activity in the region, Mr Bradford said. “We’re confident in time that facility will be the right facility in the right location,” he said. Established in 1961, Ausco Modular provides modular and transportable buildings to hire or buy throughout Australia as well as managing accommodation.

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Its portfolio of Stayover accommodation includes villages in Chinchilla, Dalby, Blackwater and Dysart. The company is also building a 304room short-stay accommodation village in Darwin, due to open in August to help meet growing demand for workforce accommodation as work continues on the Ichthys LNG project. Mr Bradford said the acquisition near Abbot Point would significantly increase the company’s capacity in central Queensland and further demonstrated Ausco Modular’s commitment to supporting growth in the area.

Building Mining Communities 25

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

SUPPORTED BY BHP BILLITON CANNINGTON

New state of play The 2013 Queensland ABB Mining Golf Challenge kicks off in July with a new round targeting the more serious golfers among the fundraising competition’s ranks. Organiser Marcel McLeod from the Rotary Club of Townsville Daybreak said also the main ambrose competition this year would be held across three days in August – Friday the 9th, Sunday the 11th and Friday the 16th. He said organisers had switched to a Sunday date for one of the social rounds in the hope it would suit more wouldbe participants than Saturday, when many people had family commitments. The Townsville-based challenge attracted about 150 players last year, raising about $25,000 to be used for studies into mental health issues relating to mining workers, families and communities. “We’re hoping to get more than that this year,” Mr McLeod

said. “We’re going to try to expand our reach a bit in terms of marketing.” Mr McLeod said it was also hoped that some people travelling to Townsville for the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference, August 18-21, may come early and join in the golf challenge. The restructuring of challenge dates this year is hoped to better suit the event’s mix of serious and social golfers. “There is only a handful of people who play serious and the rest are hackers out for some fun,” Mr McLeod said. “Townsville Golf Club is running a stableford competition in the month before the mining challenge, so we will slot players into that. “They have to make a minimum of two games during that competition. We’ll add up their scores and, as long as they play in the ambrose as well in the team event, they will be up for Champion of the Mines.”

For social players, it would be business as usual, he said. Teams of four can choose to play on any of the three scheduled days in August for the ambrose competition at Townsville Golf Club. The main funding goal is to support a PhD scholarship to the tune of $29,000 per year for up to three and a half years to investigate mental health issues relating to workers, families and communities associated with the mining and minerals processing industries, and the effects fly in-fly out operations have on mental health. Mr McLeod said applications were open and the research was expected to begin in the next university term through James Cook University. Future golf challenges would help fund this research, with surplus money being used to assist organisations associated with providing mental health services in resource industry communities, he said.

Andrew Johnson, Jane Mahady, Ildiko Susany and Joseph Del Re from Bell Shakespeare theatre company.

Bell brings bard’s work to outback Members of the Bell Shakespeare theatre company recently treated children and adults from Cloncurry, Julia Creek and McKinlay to an innovative entree to the works of a literary great. Every year the Sydney-based professional company hits the outback trail to showcase the works of William Shakespeare thanks to a partnership with BHP Billiton. The main target is young children and teenagers, but Bell Shakespeare corporate partnerships executive Stephanie Stojanovic said an evening performance at the McKinlay CWA Hall was also staged for adults. “We really didn’t know how the community would react to the performance but the 45 who attended really enjoyed it,” Ms Stojanovic said. She joined the tour to north-west Queensland with professional actors Andrew Johnson, Ildiko Susany, Joseph Del Re and Jane Mahady. The company presented two shows, Such Sweet Sorrow (a 50-minute précis of Romeo and Juliet) for the younger children and Macbeth Undone (a shortened version of Macbeth) for students in Years 9 to 12 at Cloncurry State School.

Greg ‘Ribby’ Austin from BMA Blackwater before and after his shave.

BMA a cut above the rest BMA Blackwater Mine in central Queensland has reclaimed its “top of the crops” crown with a mighty fundraising effort in this year’s World’s Greatest Shave Mining and Energy Challenge. The 2013 challenge was a record-breaker – raising more than $700,000 statewide compared to about $645,000 last year, Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland corporate partnerships manager Paul Barnard said. “It’s absolutely marvellous – we’ve never hit that number before,” he said. The 2013 challenge saw 64 teams from Queensland’s mining and energy sector raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland by securing sponsorships or donations to shave, colour or wax their hair. Blackwater mine participants raised more than $144,000 to top the list of fundraisers, followed by BMA Peak Downs Mine at Moranbah and the Abigroup Golding Joint Venture at Gladstone.

Mr Barnard said BMA Peak Downs had topped the fundraising list for the last two years, however teams of staff or contractors at Blackwater mine had dominated the competition until then. The winning Blackwater total included “matched giving” funds from BMA, he said. Mr Barnard said the involvement of the three major LNG projects at Gladstone had helped boost this year’s overall tally “We have to really try and get a lot of engagement out of the Gladstone area now because there is so much happening there – Gladstone is the new Moranbah so to speak,” he said. The challenge helps support patients and their families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, particularly those from regional communities who need to relocate to Brisbane or Townsville for medical treatment.

QGC boosts indigenous health Gas company QGC is providing $425,700 to establish a mobile clinic to improve health services for indigenous people in central and southern Queensland. In a partnership with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, QGC will fund the fit-out of an off-road caravan for use by doctors, nurses and indigenous health workers. The Gladstone-based clinic, which is expected to be running from August, will service an area west to Emerald and south to Roma and Miles. QGC managing director Derek Fisher said the clinic would strengthen health services in line with commitments made in the $150 million Queensland Curtis LNG Social Impact Management Plan.

Arrow grants scholarships Arrow Energy recently granted university scholarships to 25 indigenous students from across Queensland. The students received their awards from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Minister Glen Elmes and Arrow chief executive officer Andrew Faulkner at the launch of Arrow’s Reconciliation Action Plan at QUT Gardens Point in Brisbane. The scholarships help cover the cost of stationery, textbooks, internet access and IT as well as travel, accommodation and living expenses.

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July 2013 |

The Mining Advocate

Vacuworx lifting equipment Vacuworx Australia recently named Sargent as sole distributor for its vacuum-based lifting equipment. Sargent chief executive officer Zac Zahner said this was a great opportunity for Sargent to further develop the supply of Vacuworx units to the pipeline sector and other infrastructure and resources clients. The Vacuworx lifting system promises to help operators move material faster. Connecting and disconnecting the suction takes a fraction of a second and the equipment operator can place material with precision.

ARB Intensity lights The A ARB Intensity LED driving light ra range is the product of three years of design and engineering engineerin work. Thirty-two LEDs with a life span of more than 50,000 hours produce a white light that ARB describes as being the closest possible colour to sunlight, ensuring the Intensity light reduces eye strain and driver fatigue.

Immersive Technologies training system Immersive Technologies will display what it describes as the world’s first complete mine operator training system at AIMEX in Sydney Olympic Park, August 20-23. The new system features a training model blending eLearning, instructor-led training and medium and highfidelity simulators. It offers global operator benchmarking tools to allow mining operations to benchmark their equipment operators against global norms based on data captured from more than 23,000 operators.

ABB substation The ABB 66kv modular substation, designed by Brisbane-based firm CMD, has earned a gong at the 2013 Australian International Design Awards. CMD founding chief executive officer Craig Mounsey said the self-contained unit was developed to be visually appealing. “The design allows for the product to be expanded using a modular methodology in order to customise specific clients’ requests of optional extras,” he said. The high-voltage substation is estimated to be able to potentially save more than $2 million for its users by cutting facility downtime, service needs and installation labour.

MineARC rock bolt cutter MineARC has released a hydraulic rock bolt cutter described as being lightweight, safe and easy to use, yet powerful enough to cut GEWI bars and cable bolts within 20 seconds. The 9kg device was developed in conjunction with mining and contracting companies. It allows cutting and removal of tails from roof bolts without grinding or oxycutting, with no hot work permit required for operation.

Aussie Scud Australian Pump Industries says it has put a decade of research into its Aussie Scud pressure cleaners, which are now exported to Japan, Africa and the Middle East. Developed for tough applications in civil engineering and mining, the Aussie Scud range offers heavy-duty, highpressure blasters in petrol and diesel drive. They extend from 3000psi to 7300psi (500bar) machines.

Mining truck turntable

HexArmor protective gloves The HexArmor Chrome Oasis 4030 is the latest protective glove from Diplomat Blades. “It offers the highest level of cut and impact protection on the market, while its advanced breathable technology ensures wearers won’t overheat due to their personal protective equipment,” Diplomat marketing manager Matt Russell said. The mechanics-style glove featuring HexVent technology was especially suited for protection from hazards such as metal burrs, wires or slivers in oil and gas production environments, he said.

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A new mining truck turntable promises to improve the dump cycle times of a truck fleet by rotating ultraclass dump trucks – up to 360 tonnes capacity – at the dump station within 15 seconds. Developed by the Australian Turntable Company, the device can be relocated for ever-expanding mine sites, making it ideal for in-pit crushing. Equipment Placement plans to showcase the innovation, described as a world first, at its stand at AIMEX 2013. “Given that it only takes up 100sq m, it also acts as a space saver and a traffic organiser,” Equipment Placement representative Mike Crockett said.

BIG BOYS’ TOYS

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Show a vehicle for excellence Paget businessman Dave Sammut’s gleaming red 1957 Chevrolet was among about 180 striking sets of wheels showcased at the recent Mackay Motor Show. Mr Sammut, owner of Sammut Harvester and Hydraulics, has restored the two-door Chev 210 sport coupe from a shell to its present state over the past three years. As well as investing his own time into the job on most nights and weekends, the qualified diesel fitter has had help from “a few guys” in areas such as panel beating, spray painting, electrical work and upholstery. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. at’s “I have a ’38 (Chevrolet pick-up), but I’ve always wanted a ’57 – that’s the year I was born and I always liked that style of car.” ed The biennial motor show, held at the Mackay Showgrounds, featured nd a range of vehicles including hot rods and muscle cars, motorcycles and trucks, according to Mackay Rod and Custom Club president Steve Ware. p, The club had paid for the top 12 show cars in Australia to join the line-up, he said. “We had more than $4 million worth of cars in the shed,” Mr Ware said. The club believed 12-13,000 paying guests had attended the show, in addition to children, he said. Mr Ware said the club donated about $50,000 every two years to a range of charitable causes. It is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

from and Lyn Keen Above - Dave FJ Coupe. h their 1955 Brisbane wit

Top and left - Dave Sammut from Paget with his 1957 Chevrolet.

Left and below - Leisa and Shane Chinnock from Hobart brought this 1986 XF two-door Falcon.

Above and right - Adrian Woodley from Canberra’s 1968 Camaro.

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EXPLORATION AND DRILLING

July 2013 |

Funding boost for geoscience

Ambition takes ﬂight As a child, qualified surveyor Matthew Ewing dreamed of being the pilot of a fighter plane. Years later he has combined his passion for aviation with a decade of experience in surveying for the mines and has started up his company Airmap3D. The company uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV ) technology to provide cheap and fast surveying and mapping options to the resources sector and other industry. The UAVs are essentially model aeroplanes with onboard GPS and auto pilot systems. The UAV is pre-programmed to a flight path before taking off into the air, where it can capture thousands of photographs. The data is then extracted as high-resolution images and 3D models. Mr Ewing said the military had been using the technology for the last 10 years for surveillance and work with explosives, but it had only become available to the commercial market in the last few years. “When this technology came about it really captured my attention, and cheaper production costs have made it more accessible and a feasible option for people like surveyors,” he said. Mr Ewing said the use of UAVs in business was a much more affordable option than traditional manned aircrafts, which were expensive and slow in providing results. “All mines get air data collection at some point throughout the year and it’s horrendously expensive and a slow turn around,” he said. “UAV technology is cheaper, it’s faster, it’s safer, and it’s not dependent on things like the weather. Cloud cover is generally not a problem at all for the UAVs and there are very few days a year when they aren’t able to operate.” Mr Ewing expected to see increasing use of UAVs in the future. “The uses are endless for this type of technology - obviously in surveying, search and rescue … anything where manned aircrafts have previously been used could potentially tap into this technology,” he said. “In the future I can imagine calling Domino’s and ordering a pizza and it being delivered by a UAV. But perhaps Australia will take a little longer than other places on that front.”

Cape York and the Mount Isa region will be targeted as part of a raft of exploration projects funded by a $30 million State Budget commitment. The projects include: • Mount Isa geophysics – seismic and crustal conductivity surveys in the Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Dajarra-Boulia areas aimed at stimulating greenfields exploration; • Cape York mineral resource assessment - geological mapping and sampling to re-evaluate emerging strategic mineral potential (such as rare earths); • Geochemical data extraction – extracting data locked in the Government’s company report archive and providing easy, searchable access; • Collaborative drilling grants – co-funding drilling by innovative explorers targeting high-value deposits under shallow cover; • Extension of the core library – expanding Queensland’s capacity to store economically and scientifically valuable core samples; • Seismic section scanning – to preserve the decaying archive of hard-copy format company seismic sections by converting them to digital formats.

Above - A threedimensional model of a mining pit generated by the photogrammetry capabilities of Airmap3D and its UAV.

Right - Matthew Ewing launches a UAV during manufacturer training last year.

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Directors of The Solar Group, Stephen and Deb Porter, standing beside an Energy Hub.

Energy Hub venture ﬁring on all cylinders Mackay-based company The Solar Group will start assembling its awardwinning Energy Hub transportable power device in August, employing as many as 20 people. The Energy Hub, which stores power from an array of three or four 275-watt solar panels, won the Queensland Government initiative “The Big Idea” in 2011. Since then, the company has further developed the Energy Hub in partnership with Melbourne-based company Trivantage and Mackay-based group CCTV. The Solar Group company director Stephen Porter said $600,000 had been invested in the Energy Hub, which has a wide range of applications and is ideally suited to remote mining locations. He described it as an advanced, transportable energy source that utilises solar panel power for applications including LED area lighting, 240volt power supply, standalone environmental and dust monitoring, mobile weather stations, plus tracking and security via two-way GPS and wireless

components. It also has the capability of producing 100 litres of fresh drinking water per hour. Mr Porter said he was convinced the Energy Hub would change the mindset of many companies which had looked at but remained unconvinced about alternative energy sources.

Energy Hub has a wide range of applications and is ideally suited to remote mining locations. Three Energy Hubs are being used in the Bowen Basin undertaking a variety of tasks. Stand-alone lighting harvested via the sun also illuminates entrances to the Eagle Downs mine project and the Isaac Plains mine intersections. An Energy Hub is being used at the Eagle Downs site to monitor work on a box cut project via CCTV mounted on a 6m tower fitted to a hub. Two Energy Hubs are

also located at the Anglo American Grasstree Mine in the Bowen Basin where ultrasonic level sensors monitor open-cut water levels to avoid a repeat of two years ago when valuable equipment was stranded by rising flood waters. Information from one hub is relayed to a second hub on high ground, which acts as a repeater station sending the data by microwave to the mine’s control station. Mr Porter said trailers to transport the Energy Hubs would be built in Melbourne by Trivantage and shipped to Mackay for assembly of the Energy Hub components. “We are expecting between 15 and 20 people to be involved in the process, depending on demand,” he said. Looking forward, Mr Porter said research and development would be focused on improving the battery storage capacity of the hubs. The Solar Group is a foundation member of the Mackay-based Cleantech Alliance.

Lighting and Solar

July 2013 |

Company builds on its energy expertise Blue Planet Buildings chief executive officer Mark Ottery with one of the modular buildings.

Blue Planet Building’s solarpowered buildings have been assembled at Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific (DNAP) sites at the Lady Loretta mine 140km northnorth-west of Mount Isa, as well as at Mt Margaret and Ernest Henry Mining located near Cloncurry. DNAP project manager Jarrod Ketter said the opportunity to utilise solar for permanent offices on Dyno Nobel depots and Incitec Pivot offices was huge.

“Application is very flexible. They can be used in any remote location,” Mr Ketter said. The solar panel array on each roof can generate about 1.5kw of power and buildings can be joined to increase the power output. Mr Ottery said the whole system could be transported in 12m containers and be up and running promptly to meet or exceed client expectations. INF2095

A Sydney-based company has come up with an innovative system of relocatable, sustainable modular buildings incorporating solar cell arrays to harvest energy from the sun. Blue Planet Buildings staff have spent three years refining the system to suit Australian conditions and have attracted interest from the mining industry, related businesses and contractors. The flat-packed modular buildings can be tailored to suit a range of applications and can be constructed on site in a matter of hours, according to BPB chief executive officer Mark Ottery. Every Blue Planet Building product qualifies for a Renewable Energy Certificate issued by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. The design features the option of battery power using off-grid inverters that communicate with the on-grid inverter, effectively managing the power and producing consistent, clean 240volt power.

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Alliance promotes green innovations Mackay-based Cleantech Alliance aims to establish an innovation precinct networking nationally and internationally for green energy solutions. A spin-off from the Mackay-Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation, the alliance has hit the ground running. It has lodged a $7.5 million funding application with the Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education to create an innovation precinct. Alliance economic development manager Laura Sachse said the main objective of the Innovation Precinct Program was to create national industry-led networks that built critical mass across groupings of organisations in areas of competitive advantage and emerging opportunity. “These new networks will create growth opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Australian business,” she said. Ms Sachse said the alliance’s role would be to deliver services to assist members with various facets of developing the environmentally friendly projects. Services on offer include the development of financing models; information on a suite of services available to members from government to help with accessing export markets; assistance with attracting business partners and investors into the region; collaborative marketing and promotion; and a range of financing services. Ms Sachse said it was hoped that the alliance would ultimately be self-funded. To assist with the self-funding objective, a variety of memberships is available ranging from as little as $500 for seeding companies through to $10,000 for an industry partner. High on the alliance’s list of priorities is setting up a pilot program to showcase an environmentally friendly project.

Lighting and Solar

The Mining Advocate | July 2013

Bright ideas and tailored solutions Industrial lighting on mining sites has seen significant innovation take place to contain operational costs and enhance safety. Coates Hire national product manager (air power, light and welding), Stephen Lincoln, said LED lights had emerged as the most obvious trend. “Coates Hires has expanded its range of LED product offerings with a recent intake of portable, remote-area lighting products, all of which contain LED technology,” he said. Mr Lincoln said the products had been extensively researched

to ensure they met industry and Australian regulatory requirements. “Operational safety, environmental considerations, and the demand for continual product improvement has seen lighting products within Coates Hire change in recent years,” he said. Mr Lincoln said inclusions to the hire portfolio included reduction in engine sizes, timer operation, battery isolators, isolation devices, hose management, simplification of electrical in-service testing facilities and the use of extra

low-voltage equipment where possible, all of which contribute to lower running costs. Extensive research has also been undertaken to come up with “clever” lighting solutions. Mr Lincoln cited glare as being an issue in certain lighting applications. He said steps had been taken to address this problem in consultation with industry professionals with the introduction of lighting balloons and/or barrel lights. “With the rapid growth over the past few years within the

Coates Hire offers a range of lighting options when work needs to run around the clock on mining sites. Photo: Ashley Roach

mining industry, Coates Hire has had a number of urgent requests to provide lighting towers with a low colour rendition that allows the construction of mine sites to continue (at night), thus minimising the impact to wildlife and their natural habitat,” he said. “In consultation with suppliers, Coates Hire now offers the Turtle Tower, a lighting tower

that offers filtered light that is basically the same as an orange light you see on freeways.’’ Mr Lincoln said Coates Hire worked hand-in-hand with customers to trial, develop and provide solutions to large area mine lighting. In addition it is also working on innovations in the areas of automatic start and stop operations, GPS tracking and in-vehicle tracking.

Innovative company shines a light on safety

A Jonker Light positioned over a high wall.

Pit mining operations that run around the clock throw up a raft of safety issues when darkness falls. Jonker Engineering research and development staff have addressed the complex challenge of providing a costeffective but safe working environment when the sun sets. The result is the patented Jonker Light, which evolved from the twin challenge of providing a lighting tower product that would illuminate the high wall and pit below at the same time without compromising the quality of light in both areas. The towers come in a number of models which emit up to 40,000 watts and extend up to 24m. Managing director John Jonker said he set up a tower on a stretch of road and he was still able to read a newspaper from 300m away. “The top-of-the-range 40,000-watt model will illuminate the bottom of a 100m pit,” he said. Mr Jonker said he had heard that one of his lights replaced eight standard lights on a mining site in Western Australia, but he wouldn’t recommend doing that to a

client. The towers need to be serviced every 500 hours and refuelled every 30 hours, adding to cost savings compared to other models. Jonker Hire, a distribution company within the Jonker Group, has either sold or leased 90 towers in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, New South Wales and Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Clients include the titans of the mining industry - BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, Fortescu Metals, Xstrata and Thiess. With offices in Brisbane, Dalby and Emerald, the family business has expanded to an Australia-wide operation. Attention to detail based on client input has resulted in transport and movement solutions for specific applications of the light towers including 4WD models, track-driven, skid and a self-drive variants. A trailer has also been designed to move a tower over longer distances. Mr Jonker described himself as more of an innovator than a designer.

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Lighting and Solar

July 2013 |

The Mining Advocate

Plugging into battery storage The powerline network in Queensland needed to be upgraded to receive “incoming” energy and many transformers which dot the network have needed to be upgraded after voltage fluctuations were detected. Smart meters to monitor the energy flow also needed to be fitted to home powerboards. The Ergon Energy spokesman could not put a dollar cost on the network upgrades but referred to State Government estimates that solar panels have resulted in an increase of $100 to $200 annually on power bills. But the spokesman said the State Government had shelved a widely publicised plan to charge solar panel owners a network connection fee, at least for the time being, because of the costs associated with servicing the growing number of people making use of the rebate system. The 44 cents rebate ended on June 30, 2012 but people who took advantage of registering up until July 9 last year had until June 30 this year to have solar panels installed. As of July 1 this year a new 8 cents rebate was introduced, which will end on July 1, 2014. The Ergon Energy spokesman

The proliferation of PV (photovoltaic) solar cells on the roofs of homes and businesses across Queensland has resulted in significant cost increases for energy providers. But the arrival of efficient and affordable battery storage power will mean less reliance on the electricity grid, which will set the alarm bells ringing. An Ergon Energy spokesman described battery storage technology as “the next big thing” in the industry. The ramifications are far reaching and battery storage options are already being offered by a number of solar system providers. Energex and Ergon Energy, the two main power providers in Queensland, have traditionally provided power “one way” to consumers and were not equipped to absorb incoming power generated by the solar cell revolution. The 44-cents-per-kilowatthour rebate valid until 2028 made financial sense to those who could afford it based on the average home consuming 7.2 megawatt hours per year. Add to this steeply rising energy costs and the idea of solar panels was a winner.

Solar power involves cost increases for energy providers. Photo: shutterstock.com/zstock

said there had been a slowdown in solar installations, which would ease the cost burden on the provider with the change to the rebate system. “But we are still getting people installing systems to take advantage of the 8 cents rebate,” the spokesman said. Asked when he thought battery storage of power from solar cells would become viable, he would not speculate. “We are energy suppliers, not researchers into battery technology,” he said. But a study run by Ergon Energy involving electric cars

provides an interesting insight into the march of technology. The Mitsubishi cars used in the study by staff and members of the public cost $50,000 each when the survey began about two years ago but are now priced at $30,000. Battery storage systems already on the market in the clean and green state of California in the US carry a 10-year warranty, are about the size of an inverter and will meet basic home needs (refrigerator, basic light, cell phone charging) for a few days in the event of a natural disaster. They will

also assist in offsetting costs of drawing power from the electricity grid. But they remain costly. Lead acid batteries are still the most cost-effective option but are bulky and take up space when installed in strings. Whether batteries used in a residential context can produce the cost reductions witnessed in electric car manufacturing remains to be seen, but if they do it is likely to trigger another surge in solar panel usage which will have a significant impact on energy providers and industry.

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Are you looking for high output LED floods that will endure the rigours and harsh environments encountered in the mining & industrial sectors? If so Haymans Paget have the floodlight for you... HID floodlights are expensive to maintain, an HID replacement lamp on a drag-line boom can fail within hours of its installation. Factor in the high costs of labour and machine downtime and it’s alarming! But there is an alternative solution to high maintenance costs. Until now, few LED manufacturers have had luminaires that compare favourably with 1500W – 2000W metal halide fixtures. Put simply, they don’t match the light output nor effectively throw light the required distances.

They utilise high quality optical lenses to provide outstanding performance and deliver light exactly where it’s required with little or no glare. GSEO are a world leader in the design and manufacture of high quality optical lenses for LED lighting. Their luminaire range, which all utilise optics, includes mining specific walkway, flood & emergency light fixtures. They also design and manufacture lenses for the world’s leading smart phone & laptop brands.

GSEO, a high-tech Taiwan-based company have introduced a vibration resistant, high wattage, high performance LED floodlight. There are three models available with 15, 65 & 120-degree beam angles.

Their R & D team consists of over 200 thermal, electrical, optical and mechanical engineers developing high end lighting and optical systems. Their manufacturing division has a staff of 12,000 operating in state of the art production facilities in several countries.

Designed specifically for the mining & industrial environment, they are suitable for drag-lines, rope shovels, lighting towers, warehouses or in fact most situations that require consistently high light levels.

To find out more about upgrading from unreliable HID lighting to maintenance free LED floodlighting contact Haymans Electrical Paget and ask for a demo either on-site or at our Paget warehouse.

MINING & INDUSTRIAL

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES CABLE

CONTROL

LIGHTING

Mining, Construction & General PVC Single & Multicore Orange circular Power to 33kV Steel Wire Armoured Multicore Rubber Flex Submersible Control Cable

Medium Voltage Switchgear Motor Controls & Starters Contactors & Overloads Glands Explosion Proof Consumables Conduit & Ducting UPS’s Circuit Protection Flameproof Accessories Electrical Installation Terminating & Insulating Materials

AUDITS & DESIGN LED & HID Conveyors Walkways Drag-lines Rope Shovels Processing Plants Light Towers Warehouses Workshops Stockpiles Coal Wash Plants Ship Loaders

NEW GENERATION

Mining & Industrial LED Lighting

Hi-Power Floods Drag lines, Coal storage Light Towers, Hi-bays

Walkway & Conveyor Superior performance available in 30W, 50W, 90W & 110W

Emergency Lighting Lithium-Ion battery, Remote battery case, 2hr run time

New Generation LED fixtures from GSEO utilise precision Optical Lenses to shape & intensify the light, resulting in 30 - 50% more light on target than conventional LED luminaires. Our team of Optical, Lighting, Electrical, Thermal & Mechanical Engineers design our lights to perform. We don't guess, we deliver quality light, on target, to exceed your expectations!

HAYMANS ELECTRICAL

MINING & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIERS

17 Platinum Court, Paget, Mackay Phone: 07 4998 5100 Email: paget.branch@mmem.com.au

GENIUS ELECTRONIC OPTICAL Distributed by Haymans Electrical Suppliers

Is it possible... to save more on business travel because you’ve partnered with a travel industry specialist? With over 30 years of experience in working with mining companies, FCm Travel Solutions knows that industry knowledge, service ﬂexibility and reaction times are key to effectively managing your travel. FCm has developed an in-depth understanding of the resource sector’s unique requirements. Our knowledge of mine sites, air routes, accommodation, site and car hire regulations ensure your people receive unrivalled travel management advice for every booking.

Yes it is. To ﬁnd out how you can save more with a mining industry travel specialist scan our QR code or contact us today.

1300 558 041 fcmtravel.com.au Better travel ideas. Greater savings.

World’s Leading Travel Management Company

Australian OpCo Pty Ltd (ABN 20 003 279 534) trading as FCm Travel Solutions. Level 2, 545 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000. Licence numbers NSW 2TA002547, VIC 32360, ACT 18800566, QLD 3124259, SA TTA192799, WA 9TA1362, TAS TAS160, NT LTA149. FCMAUS54521

Looking to invest in property? With over 120 locations in NSW we are able to find the investment that is right for you! Talk to the people who put you first. For more information about investing in the NSW property market go to firstnational.com.au or phone 1800 032 332

FORCE ACCESS... NUMBER ONE FOR SERVICE. Force Access has now ﬁrmly established itself as the leading supplier of elevated work platforms for the mining industry right around Australia.

NATIONWIDE

With an intricate knowledge of MDG15 and full ASNZ:4801 OH&S accreditation, Force has been the preferred major supplier at Xstrata’s Mangoola and Ravensworth North projects, the Coal & Allied / Rio Tinto Bengalla Expansion Phase 1, BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal RX1 as well as Stage One and Stage Two of the hugely successful NCIG project, Apache Energy Devils Creek Gas Plant with John Holland, FMG Solomon Iron Ore Plant with RCR, Sino Steel Iron Ore Plant at Cape Preston with Laing O’Rourke as well as other major projects in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.

NSW Sydney Newcastle Tuggerah Wollongong Muswellbrook ACT Canberra QLD Brisbane Gold Coast Townsville Mackay Gladstone NT Darwin WA Perth Karratha

Force Access knows that schedule efﬁciency and workplace safety are not mutually exclusive. Critical projects require exceptional supply chain management and Force continues to lead the industry in being the supplier of choice for working at heights on critical mining projects.

VIC Melbourne SA Adelaide Whyalla

That’s why when it comes to safety and service when working at heights, it just has to be Force.

EMAIL admin@forceaccess.com.au

FREECALL

AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management

1800 674 777 www.forceaccess.com.au