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Monday October 28, 2013 173rd Edition

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Dodgy training leads to police investigation » Special report page 8 PERSONAL INJURY EXPERTS All accidents and personal injury claims: • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers Injury Claims • Public Liability Claims • Mining Accident Claims • Total and Permanent Disability Insurance Claims • Boating and Holiday Accident Claims Darren Sekac is available for consultations at the Whitsunday and Proserpine offices on Thursday, by appointment only.

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Record -breaker 540km pipe connects Dalby to Gladstone » Full report page 6

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CONTENTS NEWS

Westpac-Golding on same boom page

Cockatoo spreads wings

Dodgy certificate leads to police investigation

Adani abandons east-west rail plan

10 Biofuel to power mining industry?

6 22

12 New houses empty in

accommodation glut

Numbers You 11 Numbers Numbers Can CountYou On** You

13 Coal prices down but rail tariff up

Can Count On Can Count On* *When audited by the CAB Numbers You audited * by the CAB *When audited the *When CAB On CanbyCount *When audited by the CAB

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News - Golding industry conference

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Mixed outlook for CQ industry

Neville Hiughes - GTC Financial, Josh Lobodin AECOM

KEYNOTE speakers at the 10th annual Golding Industry Conference in Gladstone have painted a cautious yet positive picture of the region’s mining and gas future last week. More than 180 people have registered for the two-day conference, organised and hosted

Bronwyn McWilliam - Golding, Paul Montague - FREO Group

by the Gladstone Engineering Alliance. The event seeks to inform the mining and gas communities about the challenges and opportunities in the broader Gladstone region. Speaking on Wednesday morning, Golding chief executive Geoff Caton and

Tony Edwards - Qantaslink, Carli Hobbs - GEA

Westpac’s head economist Bill Evans both confirmed Queensland was entering a new phase in the mining boom. “Since 2011 we have had speculation that the boom is just starting, is almost over, or continuing depending on where you sit,” Golding’s Mr Caton said.

“The considered opinion seems to be that the capital intensive period, which has affected Gladstone over the last four years, is drawing to a close, but in the future we are looking at volume growth. “In the past where everything has been quick, quick, quick, it’s more likely now to

Surat and Galilee long way to go RAIL business Aurizon has not written off two of Queensland’s biggest rail infrastructure projects, but concedes there is a “long way to go”. Both rail projects are pivotal to the development of major new mining provinces in Queensland. One rail proposal will take coal from the Galilee Basin to near Bowen, whilst the other will take coal out of the Surat Basin to Gladstone. Both require the construction of hundreds of kilometres of new rail across productive agricultural areas and floodplains. They also require major investment by the coal miners who will use them. Speaking at the recent Golding Major Industry Conference in Gladstone, Aurizon’s Victor Herbert said they were hopeful that something will happen. “Surat Basin Rail - we are reaching some agreement on that project but really not much is happening there, so nothing to talk about on that one ,” he said. “The only other one we are working with at the moment is the partnership with GVK in the Galilee Basin.” “It’s still under discussion and hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement, and then maybe next year we can commence doing some detailed feasibility studies.”

28th October 2013

“But there’s still a long way to go for us, and its going to be a big job if it happens.” “There is a few 100 kilometres of line, so lots of civil construction, which is certainly an interesting opportunity for people in this room.” “I guess the price of coal might have something to do with it as well.” While the Galilee and Surat Basins remain more long-term possibilities, the company is pushing forward with a range of upgrades to existing facilities. Work is well underway on building new rail infrastructure to service the new Wiggins Island Coal Terminal. Aurizon says the project will deliver a 30 per cent increase in coal tonnage transported from the southern Bowen Basin by 2015. The company is also spending $130 million on the Goonyella rail system, which will lift coal haulage capacity by about 10 million tonnes a year and make it the largest export coal rail network in the country. On the 107 kilometre Bauhinia rail line that services the Rolleston coal mine in the the Southern Bowen Basin, Aurizon is undertaking an electrification project which will allow them to use new high-capacity electric trains.

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be cheap, cheap, cheap or at least value, value,value.” In line with this trend, Mr Caton forecast that there would be more ‘hard’ dollar contracts and the need to deliver projects to the right standard with efficiencies that meant it could also be cost effective. Looking at the bigger picture, Westpac economist Bill Evans said growth in the world economy was likely to remain soft for the next 12 months. “The economy is going to really struggle to fill the void left by the mining sector. Meanwhile the rest of the world economy looks pretty soggy,” he said. “Next year is not going to be an easy year for China. We expect growth around 7.4 per cent, which is less than the 10.5 per cent growth we have seen in the past. “The big issue for the US is the labour market. I think Europe is a write-off and I expect there to be a crisis in France next year.” For the metallurgical coal sector, Mr Evans says while production has got back to pre-flood levels, he said there remained profitability issues. “Twenty per cent of producers have production costs above the 80th percentile production cost and 10 per cent of those are in Queensland.” “The last time we saw that was in 2009 and we only averted the crunch because China’s economy was stimulated and disaster was averted. “I don’t think we will see that this time.”

News - Golding industry conference

Sheldon Brady - Westpac, Colin Walz - Walz Constructions, Mark Gregory - Walz Constructions

Glen Churchill - GADPL, Lance McKay - Toxifree Solutions

Henry Holdway and Alan Maclean -Fredriksen, Maclean & Ass, Louis Jordaan and John Koleskey - Projects Unlimited

Jeff Homeline - AURECON, Liam Hogan Westpac

28th October 2013

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Pipeline finally connects Dalby to Gladstone

BURIED BENEATH: The last of the pipeline buried near Biloela recently.

IT’S finally complete - 46,200 four-tonne pieces of pipe have been connected to form QGC’s underground gas highway from the Surat Basin to Central Queensland. The 540 km pipeline passes through 580 fences and 1147 creeks, roads, tracks, and railway lines. More than 1500 workers helped build it over 12 million working hours and project vehicles have travelled more than 44 million kilometres to do the job.

It’s Australia’s longest large-diameter pipeline, and the final pieces have just been buried near Biloela. Integrity tests will now be carried out, and the pipeline’s easement rehabilitated. The pipeline was laid by construction contractor MCJV, a joint venture between McConnell Dowell and Consolidated Contracting Company Australia. Later this year, the pipeline will begin to transport natural gas from QGC’s tenements in the Surat Basin to the QCLNG

plant on Curtis Island near Gladstone, where the gas will be liquefied for export. The pipeline stretches 200 km from Dalby to Wandoan and then more than 340 km from the gas fields to Curtis Island. Facilities north of Miles and on Curtis Island are now being finalised to regulate gas flow through the pipeline. QGC Managing Director Derek Fisher said the milestone represented a worldclass engineering feat. “This is a tremendous achievement, meaning we remain on track to start commissioning the world’s first plant to convert natural gas from coal seams into liquefied natural gas next year,” he said. “In the process we have set records for Australian pipeline construction, including the longest twin pipe-pull in Australia when The Narrows channel at Curtis Island was crossed earlier this year.” Meanwhile, QGC has this week opened its first operational site in Gladstone, a 2000m2 supply base which will act as a control point for all equipment and materials going to and from the LNG plant once it is operating. The QCLNG plant is on track to be producing LNG by next year, with only one of 80 construction modules still to arrive. Staff and contractors at the supply base will be among about 200 people, most of whom are from the local area, who will operate and maintain the LNG plant.

Applications close soon for BMA scholarships CQUNIVERSITY Australia and BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) are calling on students interested in study in ‘nonmining’ disciplines to apply for scholarships under the 2014 BMA Community and Indigenous Scholarship Program. Applications for scholarships, which close on November 1, are for enrolment at CQUniversity Australia in areas of study that can help to fill skills shortages in the regions including medical and nursing careers, allied health,

28th October 2013

business and education. Already 10 students from the Central Queensland region have benefitted from the scholarships awarded through the BMA Scholarship program last year. The scholarship program, in its second year, provides up to $5000 per year for full-time students to cover educational expenses for the duration of study up to four years. Last year’s successful applicants included students studying occupational therapy,

health science, paramedic science, nursing, business studies and learning management (primary). There are 15 scholarships available and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. The Scholarships offered each year as part of the five year partnership between BMA and CQUinversity Australia. Applications are open until 5pm on 1 November 1, 2013 and further details can be found at: www.cqu.edu.au/bma

Pipeline facts • 46,200 individual 12m lengths, each of four tonnes • 1147 crossings of creeks, roads, access tracks, railway lines and third-party utilities and passing through 580 fences • Workforce of more than 1575 at peak construction for a total of 12 million working hours • Project vehicles travelled more than 44 million kilometres • Buried with between 0.75m and 1.5m of cover, depending on terrain and land use, with cover of more than 1.5m at creek, road and railway crossings • Fusion-bonded epoxy coating and cathodic protection to prevent corrosion • Remotely activated valves at least every 90km for shutdowns • Operation constantly monitored from QGC’s Chinchilla operations centre • Regular inspections from air and on ground

Cockatoo spreads wings COCKATOO Coal is planning to raise $408 million to expand its Baralaba mine project, repay debt and fund a takeover of rivals, the Blackwood Corporation. The company will issue new shares to raise $153 million, and has secured a $255 million finance facility from ANZ. The finance facility will fund a takeover of rival company, Blackwood, which holds exploration licenses throughout Queensland.

To sweeten the deal, Cockatoo Coal will offer two of its shares for every one Blackwood share. It is expected that independent Blackwood directors will recommend this offer to their shareholders. Cockatoo Coal is hoping to use the equity raised from the sale of shares to get rid of a $95 million debt and expand its Baralaba project, which is currently proceeding on schedule. Shareholders will vote on the proposal in December.

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Dodgy certificate leads to police investigation

Trainer Tash Fee found she and her partner had been duped by another training company.

A ROCKHAMPTON training company is being investigated for document fraud after allegations fake certificates were issued to miners and drillers. Tash Fee runs TNT Training at Calliope, near Gladstone, and she has lodged a formal complaint against the Rockhampton company with Gladstone CIB. “My partner Todd, a drilling trainer, sat his Cert IV in OH&S with them last year, but I had an inkling something was wrong so I contacted the RTO [Registered Training Organisation] and they had no record of Todd or his qualification,”

she told Shift Miner. “This trainer has just gone out there thinking they are above the law, churning out certificates they are not authorised to hand out - it is just so brazen.” Only RTOs are authorised to issue nationally accredited certificates. However, many RTOs use other training companies in partnership arrangements to run courses, but the formal certificates can only be issued by the umbrella RTO. “This is particularly the case during tough times,” said Ms Fee. “The costs of running an RTO have skyrocketed so a lot have closed down and a lot are using other companies as co-partners to reduce operating costs.” In this instance, the training company was not an RTO and not authorised to issue certificates, and the umbrella RTO has no record of the students who have been issued with certificates under their logo. “These days there are sophisticated software programs and anyone with a computer and a printer can quite easily make a certificate look like the

real deal,” said Ms Fee. “The unsuspecting client is just happy to have their qualification and believes it to be legit.” What makes this case interesting is that Ms Fee and her partner are trainers themselves and didn’t initially notice anything dodgy about the certificates or the course. “We trusted this organisation because they came with impeccable references and convincing experience, but the message I want to get out is for people to be vigilant - don’t be fooled by glossy exteriors. “Check your certificate. It should a national provider number, certificate number and student number as well as the RTO’s name and contact details.” But Ms Fee said the best way to ensure the qualification is genuine is to ring the RTO directly and have them search for your details on their database after sitting the course. “People have paid good money for this course, and the certificates are not worth the paper they are written on.

“I hate seeing people pay good money for something that’s worth nothing,” said Ms Fee. “Not to mention you go out on a mine site and someone gets hurt it opens up a can of worms and snakes come out.” Ms Fee has been extremely vocal about her outrage over the allegedly dodgy certificates - and has posted warnings on Facebook and LinkedIn but has been careful not to identify the company. It prompted the Rockhampton-run North Australia Career and Training Services (NACTS) to post its own response on its Facebook page: “There are unsubstantiated allegations being made by Natasha/Tash Fee on her personal Facebook page and other public media sites against an unnamed training company. “We cannot comprehend the motive behind these remarks and what organisation they refer to. Clearly, these allegations cannot be intended to refer to North Australia Career & Training Services (NACTS). Our excellent reputation for exceptional

quality of service and unrivalled integrity is renowned nationally and internationally. “We invite Natasha Fee to identify the training company and substantiate the allegations or immediately withdraw them to ensure innocent entities such as NACTS cannot be inadvertently damaged by inference.” When Shift Miner contacted NACTS owner Jeniffer Deasy, she said Ms Fee was going about her complaint in the wrong way. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate going on social media. I am concerned about how it portrays our industry,” she said. “It is very slow for business at the moment and I have lost staff, and mining RTOs especially are struggling and having this in system doesn’t help. “There are proper channels she could go through to lodge her complaint.” Ms Fee maintains she has gone through the right channels and went straight to the police, the relevant training authorities, ASQA, and government departments.

Qld coking coal still expanding TWO major export coking coal investments have been unveiled over the past six weeks in defiance of the current coal price downturn and signaling the industry’s long-term commitment to Queensland, according to the Queensland Resource Council (QRC). Tuesday, October 15, marked the official opening of a 20-year life extension program at Rio Tinto’s Kestrel mine, west of Emerald. “With last month’s official opening of the Daunia mine, the Kestrel extension sends a clear message to the world’s steelmakers

28th October 2013

that Queensland remains the go-to province for quality coking coal,” said QRC’s acting chief executive Greg Lane. Treasurer Tim Nicholls officially opened the extension, which will employ more than 500 people. Mr Nicholls said the opening of Kestrel South provided yet more evidence that Queensland’s coal industry had a vibrant future. “Kestrel South will contribute to our expected 7.6 per cent growth in coal exports this year,” he said.

“Queensland ports are putting through tonnages at pre-GFC levels with a total of just over 34 million tonnes exported from Queensland in July and August.” Mr Nicholls said the state government was supporting the coal industry through a raft of measures aimed at reducing red and green tape. “We’ve implemented reforms to streamline resource permit approvals, we’ve cut the time taken to assess Environmental Impact Statements and we’re delivering a more integrated

approvals process. “The government is also supporting future exploration and investment in the mining industry.” This year’s Budget included $30 million for the Geological Survey of Queensland, and the government’s resources cabinet committee, set up last year, is working on strategies to support the industry, Mr Nicholls said. “One of the committee’s goals is to get to a point of have a single piece of legislation covering the resources industry.”

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Adani abandons plan LANDHOLDERS in the Clermont region are hoping a face-to-face meeting with the Premier last week and meetings with GVK Resources this week will bring some certainty to their future. As many as 100 graziers in the Clermont area are likely - at some point - to have a major railway line through their property, taking coal from the Galilee Basin to port. However, just where the railway line will go, how it will be engineered, and whether it can be used for commodities other than coal remain major areas of concern. At one point there were as many as nine different rail routes being proposed to take coal from the Galilee Basin.That situation was largely resolved when the state government intervened and decided there would be just two defined corridors mining companies could use. An east-west route was favoured by proposed coal miner Adani, and a north-south corridor was favoured by GVK. However, Clermont grazier Shontae Moran from Double D station

says that plan seems to have changed. “Adani have told landholders they no longer want to use the east-west corridor immediately, as their priority focus is to now build a rail line west of GVK in the north-south corridor,” she told Shift Miner. “That new proposal is going to affect a further seven to 10 properties, adding to the already 110 currently likely to have rail lines through them.” “I can understand the state’s position, they need the Galilee to go ahead, and as landholders we can see the value in that. “But in the future we want to see a project put forward that is going to tick all the boxes.” Of particular concern for Mrs Moran is ensuring that rail lines are engineered in such a way that overland flows are not disrupted. “The Premier was understanding of those issues [when we met last week], and he said he has been vigorously insisting that there is no impact on flooding. “But we are concerned that some of the numbers for flood heights being used in the engineering and design are not correct.

“They are relying a lot on gauging stations, and there is a maximum half a dozen along the river that have only been there since the 1990s.” Ms Moran said property owners have records going back to the turn of the century, and that information should be interpreted. “GVK did try and do some of that, but it has still not been addressed, and there are lots of local influences that are not being taken into account,” she said. “For example, we have a creek on this place that in a big flood flows backwards, and in times of flood the water creeps over the country in ways that they are not appreciating.” While the Newman government says it wants the Galilee mega projects to go ahead, progress is as slow as the recovery in the coal price. For property owners like Mrs Moran, it means their own plans are put on hold as well. “We want this rail line to be built and to work, and we want it to be available for other commodities in the future. Having this uncertainty about where the line will go, means everyone’s property planning is on hold.”

“

Coal explorer one step ahead A MID-cap coal explorer is shoring up rail and port access for a new coal project in Central Queensland. International Coal wants to be exporting coking and thermal coal from its Consuelo project, near Rolleston, by 2016. Putting it one step ahead of other explorers in the region, the company is in discussions with Aurizon and the key proponents of the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET). “Planning and negotiation of infrastructure access often requires extensive lead times,” chief executive Glenn Simpson said. “In order to keep on track with our exploration and development schedule, we need to move early to shore up access to infrastructure

either through direct means or through secondary contracts. “We are not locking anything in yet but we need to start a dialogue so that it is all systems go if our exploration comes up as expected.” The Consuelo project is located close to an existing rail head on the Blackwater rail system near Glencore’s Rolleston mine, which extends about 425 km by rail to Gladstone’s port. The company is in talks with Aurizon about the Blackwater rail system to shore up access before drilling recommences in the coming months. The discussions to date have given International Coal management confidence that capacity will be available to meet the current development schedule, the company said in a statement.

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Biofuel could power mining industry

At the Rockhampton Research Station are John Raison, Jackson Gerrard (Qld Govt), Reg the forester, Anne Stunzner and Jenny Hayward.

A NEW biofuel project powered by Central Queensland vegetation could have big benefits for the mining industry. The CSIRO is looking at ways to produce diesel and aviation fuel from biomass in the region and new technology is emerging where biofuel could be produced in processing plants distributed around the region. “It allows initial processing in

the region, so there will be more jobs, and the markets for fuel are in the region too,” CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences chief research scientist Dr John Raison told Shift Miner. “Diesel can be used by farmers and mining, which is just on the doorstep.” The project team visited Central Queensland several times to speak to businesses and groups who might use the bio oil locally, including the

mining and resource industry. “We had a meeting with big industry in Gladstone as to what synergies there are and the feedback was positive,” Dr Raison said. “If we can produce the diesel at a competitive price they said they would will use it. “The other links were with alumina refinery people as one of the by-products is bio oil and char, which can be help with the

refinery process,” Dr Raison said. The study, just completed, looked at three sources of biomass: a rotational system where new trees are grown, harvested every 10 years then regrown; harvesting native grass; and the management of regrowth for on-going biomass production. The project is exploratory at this stage and grew out of the scoping study CSIRO conducted in partnership with Boeing in 2011. The next stage of the project is to get potential partners from state and federal government, aviation, mining and agricultural sectors and then put together a major proposal for funding. “Our plan would be to get it all stitched up by end of the financial year and to commence full activity by the middle of next year.” The idea is to initially build a small plant that will require about 60,000 tonnes of biomass a year, then in another five years another 10 would be built. There would be a progressive scale-up over a 25-year timeframe until the plants would produce 470 megalitres of

aviation fuel each year – about 5 per cent of Australia’s annual use of aviation fuel. “A lot of money is needed to start up,” Dr Raison said. “The difficulty in this industry is overcoming the risk so investors will do it, so we need to link the three areas: those producing the biomass, those processing it into fuel and those who use the fuel.” If the project goes to full scale, it would need about 5 million tonnes of biomass per year. That is approaching 1 million hectares of land. Economic modelling shows that biofuel is still more expensive than fossil fuel, but Dr Raison said once the project started it would become more efficient. Currently estimated costs to produce aviation biofuel is $1.10 a litre and about $0.90 for fossil fuel. “We think it looks reasonable promising and needs more study in detail as there are lots of uncertainties as there is no industry as yet, but a good research and development program will reduce the risks and encourage industry investment.”

QGC and grazier in court over weeds AFRICAN Lovegrass was at the centre of a legal spat between gas giant QGC and a Surat Basin grazier. Grazier Richard Golden’s family property at Yuleba is weed-free, and he’s determined to keep it that way. But increased traffic by gas industry vehicles keeping tabs on the 49 QGC-owned wells that now dot his property increases the risks of weeds being spread, particularly African Lovegrass which is known to grow just 25km from the property. Under the Conduct and Compensation Agreement (CCA) signed between Mr Golden and QGC, all vehicles are required to be washed down before entering the property. Mr Golden took legal action when seven out of the 15 random checks found that contractors were not complying. He hired a legal team and issued QGC with Notice of Default, stating the company had breached the terms of the agreement, and their right of entry to his property was suspended. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court in Brisbane two weeks ago, but it was dismissed. A spokesperson for QGC said this issue should have been worked out through the CCA dispute resolution.

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“QGC takes all grievances raised by landholders seriously and will continue to address weed management at team meetings with staff and contractors,” the spokesperson said. Mr Golding told the Queensland Country Life that the gas company has now gone to the other extreme and has set up dedicated inspection points at two of the Golden’s gates and the company is now rigorously complying with everything the Goldens have asked for in terms of weed hygiene. “It’s gone from the sublime to the ridiculous; QGC now have two inspection points coming into the place operating 24/7 and they look like little villages,” Mr Golden said. QGC said it acted quickly to address the concerns raised by Mr Golden and confirms that the appropriate measures are in place to monitor QGC and contractor compliance with weed certification requirements for Mr Golden’s property. “Both parties have agreed to use best endeavours to ensure that in the future they adhere to the dispute resolution process set out in the Conduct and Compensation Agreements entered into between the Goldens and QGC,” the spokesperson said.

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Goodbye AGJV, hello John Holland

The first of the stacker gantries is lifted into place at the WICET coal stockyard.

LAST week Abigroup Golding Joint Venture (AGJV) workers at the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) near Gladstone started receiving their pink slips as the contractor begins to demobilise its workforce over the next month. For the past two years, AGJV has been responsible for the bulk earth and civil works, but the stockyard and concrete works are now drawing to a close. “Just as AGJV have gradually demobilised their workforce, John Holland Group have gradually increased their workforce to undertake the next phase of the stockyard construction, being the structural, mechanical and electrical works,” a WICET spokesperson told Shift Miner. Overall, the WICET workforce numbers remain stable, she added. The stockyard, jetty and wharf are under construction and progress includes the completion of the stockyard reclaim tunnel structures following the final arch pours in September, with backfilling about 95 per cent complete. Approximately 50 per cent of the jetty, wharf and dolphin piles have been

driven, while approximately 40 per cent of headstocks have been installed. Aboveground, 14 stockyard trestles are in place and the first of the stockyard gantry lifts took place two weeks ago. The lift and install of the 140-tonne structure was undertaken by John Holland, with the gantry placed on top of the stockyard trestles. Once constructed and commissioned on site by John Holland, the stacker gantries will in-load coal from the rail receival area to the coal stockyard, via the overland conveyor. The installation of the first of 21 stacker gantries for Stage One of the project was coordinated and undertaken by WICET and John Holland workers. The team utilised a 1100-tonne transilift ‘pick and carry’ crane and a Liebherr 280-tonne crawler crane. Meanwhile, another key shipment of terminal infrastructure was received at the weekend, with the 111-tonne stacker tripper arriving by barge on Saturday afternoon. The stacker tripper will be used to transfer coal from the main stockyard conveyor to the stacker bridge out-load system.

Gladstone concerns over fourth LNG plant heard AFTER demanding a meeting with state government representatives to tell them they were getting a raw deal from the Arrow LNG plant proposal, Gladstone Regional Council was left feeling more positive. Queensland’s Coordinator-General has met Gladstone’s mayor to discuss her concerns over the approval of a fourth LNG plant for the industrial hub. The state government recently approved a proposal by Arrow Energy, a subsidiary of Shell Australia, to build an LNG plant on Curtis Island. But Gladstone mayor Gail Sellers said she was worried that council’s concerns about the project had not been addressed. She said the council’s had listed more than 100 concerns with the project during the EIS process. One of those is that Gladstone has suffered from a lack of social infrastructure compared to other resource towns in Queensland. Arrow’s total contributions towards social infrastructure amounts ‘up to’ $11.5 million, which is well short of the $72.5 million sought by council, she said. “The point we tried to make is that we had three of plants built in this region so we are the best placed to know how we are affected,” she told Shift Miner.“ We had concerns around the project

starting without accommodation in place or car parking in areas for fellows going to work. “They are picked up by buses and we need those areas conditioned as in areas that don’t upset residents.” Two weeks ago, Cr Sellers demanded a meeting with the Coordinator-General and state government representatives, and yesterday that meeting occurred. “He [the Coordinator-General] was extremely good and has committed to getting back to me,” she told Shift Miner. “I am very happy just with the way it was handled. He is used to dealing with parliament, but he came with the right attitude, listened to our complaints and said he would go away, look at it and come back to us.” Cr Sellers said the conditions for Arrow’s project were noticeably less than the conditions of previous LNG projects, which was all the more disappointing given council’s clear and continued dialogue with the State Government and Coordinator-General. While the EIS has already been approved, Cr Sellers said she hoped the meeting would help get locals concerns addressed and areas of the project tightened up. She expects a response within the next two weeks.

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28th October 2013

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Qld coking coal still expanding

At Kestrel Mine, the underground drift allows employees to travel in a dolly car to the mine below.

TWO major export coking coal investments have been unveiled over the past six weeks in defiance of the current coal price downturn and signaling the industry’s longterm commitment to Queensland, according to the Queensland Resource Council (QRC). Tuesday, October 15, marked the official opening of a 20-year life extension program at Rio Tinto’s Kestrel mine, west of Emerald. “With last month’s official opening of the Daunia mine, the Kestrel extension sends a clear message to the world’s steelmakers that Queensland remains the go-to province for quality coking coal,” said QRC’s acting chief executive Greg Lane.

No dredging outside zone NO new ports will be able to dredge outside five key areas along the Queensland coast over the next decade, under a draft port strategy released by the state government. The Queensland government has proposed declaring five Priority Port Development Areas (PPDAs) for the state’s leading longestablished ports where development will be concentrated and encouraged. The strategy is not surprising, as key ministers in the government have spoken often about wanting to concentrate development in key areas. The Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said PPDAs would be created for the ports of Brisbane, Mackay/Hay Point (two separate zones), Gladstone, Townsville and Abbot Point. “Along Queensland’s 6,973 km coastline, there are 20 ports including 15 trading ports, two community ports, and three gazetted non-trading ports,” Mr Seeney said. “This is the government’s blueprint for managing and improving the efficiency and environmental management of the state’s port network over the next decade. “This strategy will also prohibit capital dredging for the development of deep water port facilities outside of PPDAs for the next 10 years. “This will ensure the protection of the balance of the Queensland coastline from capital dredging projects. We are working to have legislation in place by next year to deliver on these commitments.”

28th October 2013

News

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Treasurer Tim Nicholls officially opened the extension, which will employ more than 500 people. Mr Nicholls said the opening of Kestrel South provided yet more evidence that Queensland’s coal industry had a vibrant future. “Kestrel South will contribute to our expected 7.6 per cent growth in coal exports this year,” he said. “Queensland ports are putting through tonnages at pre-GFC levels with a total of just over 34 million tonnes exported from Queensland in July and August.” Mr Nicholls said the state government was supporting the coal industry through a raft of measures aimed at reducing red and green tape. “We’ve implemented reforms to streamline resource permit approvals, we’ve cut the time taken to assess Environmental Impact Statements and we’re delivering a more integrated approvals process. “The government is also supporting future exploration and investment in the mining industry.” This year’s Budget included $30 million for the Geological Survey of Queensland, and the government’s resources cabinet committee, set up last year, is working on strategies to support the industry, Mr Nicholls said. “One of the committee’s goals is to get to a point of have a single piece of legislation covering the resources industry.”

New houses empty in accommodation glut IF you need to stay in the Central Queensland mining town of Middlemount tonight, you’ll have no problems finding a bed. This week, accommodation provider Oaks Resorts opened its new facility in the town, taking the number of rental accommodation options available to more than 100. Eighteen months ago private rentals in Middlemount were scarce, but the 27 units in the new complex will add to current oversupply of rooms, units and houses available for short and long-term rent. The Middlemount Milieu is a new residential estate with 60 housing lots. Currently 10 houses are leased, and the rest will come online over the next two months. The houses are all privately owned by investors - some local, others from interstate - but property manager Wendy Northey says locking in leases is hard work in the current climate. “Rents used to be $1600 a week but now they are yielding about $500,” she told Shift Miner. “We are getting some demand from locals who are interested in living in brand new accommodation, as opposed

to the tired, old houses owned by the council or Anglo American. “But certainly this is a very difficult time to be doing my job.” However, Ms Northey refuses to be too pessimistic as the first of the new houses have only just become available, and the market is yet to be tested. She is hoping rents will fall in the $500/week category. “A brand new house should get at least $500-$550 back as a return on investment and they are well worth it,” she said. “But because there are so many coming on the market that might drive prices down in the short term until there are some new mining contracts and there is some growth in the region again.” Is the new development sustainable if conditions don’t improve? “I don’t know, ask me in six months,” said Ms Northey. “We don’t know whether there is a market or not yet, and I think people will certainly wait and see how things are going before they jump in.” She said some investors were keen to sell their houses, so there could be some good deals for locals who wanted to buy into the estate.

Gum trees used to detect gold

It follows more research from CSIRO published last year that found termites could also be used to detect large deposits of gold. At a test site in the Western Australian goldfields, termite mounds contained high concentrations of gold, indicating there were larger deposits underneath. Termites and ants burrow into this layer of material where a fingerprint of the underlying gold deposit is found, and bring traces of this fingerprint to the surface. The insects bring up small particles that contain gold from the deposit’s fingerprint, or halo, and effectively stockpile it in their mounds.

A NEW way to locate buried gold deposits could be as simple as looking for gold particles in the leaves of Eucalyptus trees. A team of Australian scientists has found that gum trees in the Kalgoorlie goldfields of Western Australia are drawing up gold particles from the earth while their roots search for moisture during drought. The minute particles are then deposited on their leaves, twigs and bark and would be completely untraceable, except for the use of an x-ray imaging machine. In one case, the trees were growing above a gold deposit buried 35 metres underground. The findings were released in Nature

Communications last week and could lead to the discovery of deeply buried gold deposits in difficult-to-reach locations. Traces of gold are sometimes found in soils surrounding gum trees; however, without heavily disturbing the area and digging to great depths it is difficult to determine whether the trees are indeed located above an as yet undiscovered gold resources or if the gold particles were blown there by wind. Considering the 45 per cent decrease in gold discovery over the past decade, the link between gum trees and buried gold deposits could prove instrumental in developing new technologies for mineral exploration.

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Can you afford not to donate to the rescue helicopter? By Nicky Way

CHRS picking up from Curtis LNG plant 22Sep13 010

I’m at work and I make out the sound of the RACQ Capricorn Rescue Helicopter landing in Tieri. I’m chilled to the bone and goose bumps prick my skin. Who is hurt? Will they be okay? Is it my husband? He isn’t home and he should be. Someone I probably know is hurt - maybe critically - and

more than likely seriously. Were they working at the mine? Did it happen on the highway? IS IT MY HUSBAND? The chopper doesn’t stay long maybe 10 minutes, long enough for me to call the pit and find out my hubby’s on his way home and the chopper was for a road accident just outside of town. Two people hurt,

not critically, but bad enough they won’t be driving anywhere soon. In the past year, the RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) completed 411 missions, and it cost more than $5 million to run. Almost two-thirds of the funding comes from donations, and CHRS’s Kirsty Hansen said fundraising is critical to keeping

the choppers in the air. “Early this year we started a 10,000 regular payroll donors in ten months campaign to help us raise those funds,” she said. “It’s been a slow start, so far we’ve got 1000 payroll donors but we’re confident that we’ll find the other 9000 by our target June 30, 2014,” Ms Hansen said. “If 10,000 workers donated just $2 a week, not even the price of a cup of coffee or a cold beer from their pay, we would raise $1 million towards the operating services of the chopper, that would be amazing.” If you live and work in any Central Queensland town between St Lawrence in the north, Alpha in the west, and Agnes Water in the south, it will be the RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service and its crew that come to collect you if you get hurt. “Many people don’t realise that the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service is the only chopper looking

after miners and their families in the mining towns of Blackwater, Clermont, Emerald, Middlemount, Moura, Rolleston, Theodore and Tieri and has been for many years. “It’s payroll donors and other donations and sponsorship that help us to keep helping Capricorn miners, workers and their families,” Ms Hansen said. And payroll donation isn’t hard - just ask your payroll officer for the details. As I’m talking to Kirsty I make a quick mental check, have I got my monthly direct debit from my bank account in place? Yes, yes I have, but by god and no offence RACQ Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service crew, I hope I never, ever have the pleasure of meeting you! For more information contact CHRS Public Relations and Community Coordinator Kirsty Hansen on (07) 4922 9033 or by email marketing@chrs.org. au. You can also find more information at www.chrs.org.au

Coal price down, rail tariff up South Walker Creek CENTRAL Queensland coal companies have come out swinging against a 36 per cent rail price hike that Aurizon has put on the table. At a time when most coal companies have slashed operating costs and discretionary spending, the rail and track provider is seeking a massive jump in rail tariffs. Under the new pricing regime, Aurizon’s tariffs would rise on average by 34 per cent on a dollar per net tonne basis, adding $1.2 billion of additional costs to coal companies using the Central Queensland coal network over the next four years. Before the new regime can be implemented it must first be approved by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA). Major mining houses including Anglo American, Rio Tinto, BMA and Glencore have all made lengthy submissions to the QCA - and so has industry lobby group the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). Aurizon’s apparent grab for cash was a primary concern for coal companies when the state government privatised

Queensland Rail and sold off its coal assets. In its submission to the QCA, Glencore’s Anthony Pitt said in most, if not all, instances of monopoly coal chain infrastructure being sold into private ownership over the the last decade, it had never translated to efficient services or capacity. In its submission, Anglo American believes Aurizon will abuse its monopoly position especially given it owns the track and the trains - unless regulated. “The past behaviour of Aurizon Network in respect of key negotiations leads Anglo American to the view that it is absolutely essential that UT4 is prescriptive in nature, as any other approach will be open to allowing Aurizon Network to be opportunistic in use of its monopolistic power not only for its own benefit but also its parent and related subsidiaries,” its submission read. In his submission, Rio Tinto’s infrastructure boss Tim Renwick points out the current economic climate for coal mines.

“This debate is also occurring against a backdrop of immense cost and margin pressure (Queensland mines have been found to be amongst the most expensive in the coal sector) and slowing growth (Aurizon Network forecasts year on year growth between 2012 and 2013 of only 4 per cent). “Over the same period, however, Aurizon Network expects to increase regulated revenues by 22 per cent and EBITDA by 48 per cent.” The QRC has made a lengthy submission on behalf of its members, and says if Aurizon is allowed to proceed Queensland coal producers will lose more footing in the international market place. “This proposed hike in prices comes at a time when coal companies are cutting their discretionary costs deeply in a bid to restore some semblance of profitability or at least minimise losses in the face of weak prices for coal,” said QRC chief executive Michael Roche. The submissions can be read in full on the QCA’s website www.qca.org.au

a shining light

A RECORD-BREAKING three months at South Walker Creek mine in Central Queensland is behind a 14 per cent in surge coal production for mining giant BHP. In its latest operational review, BHP acknowledges the mine’s strong performance coupled with production at the new Daunia mine at Moranbah - as the main drivers of the

substantial jump in September quarter production compared to the same period last year. Improved Coal Preparation Plant performances at Blackwater and Saraji have also been credited as playing a part in the production turnaround; however, a planned longwall move at Crinum and scheduled maintenance at Goonyella Riverside and Peak Downs meant those gains were partially offset. The company has managed to save $2.7 billion in cash over the past 12 months, but it seems the cost-cutting agenda is not over yet. “Our rate of expenditure will decline again next year and if our investment criteria cannot be met in any one project, product, or geography, we will redirect our capital elsewhere or we will not invest,” said BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie. 28th October 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Miner’s Mind

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Feeling valued at work? By Charlie Cameron

THE other day I was having a discussion with a good mate of mine, Barry, about the differences and what it’s like working for either a big mining company or a small contractor. Barry got made redundant by one of the big companies a few months ago and just recently started working again as a multi-skilled operator for a small contractor. “The biggest thing for me, and what the difference is, is that now I feel more valued as an individual,” Barry said. “I’m not just another cog in a big machine. It’s only a small crew where I work now, so everyone has to get on with one another, and we each have to be able to do a wide variety of tasks as well.

“When I was at my old job, I did just one thing, everyday, and that was it. I didn’t feel very valued and I didn’t think I was fulfilling my potential. “I kinda knew I was only there for the money, so it didn’t bother me too much at the time. But looking back, I can see that I was unsatisfied because I felt like I didn’t really matter to anyone, or to the company.” Barry explained to me that working for a small contractor was much more satisfying, even though he took a big pay cut, he feels his new role has more responsibility. Being able to contribute to the success of a small company is far more likely to be recognised

because you’re not obscured by hundreds of other employees, and this is what Barry’s point was. He simply wanted to be valued, he wanted to feel like he was an integral part of the team. He had found a new sense of satisfaction because he was recognised as an individual who had the skills and qualities that the small company was in need of. “I’m no longer just a resume stacked up with hundreds of others on a desk somewhere,” he grinned. Barry’s experience might not be typical. There might be any number of satisfied workers out there under a huge corporate umbrella, and there could be just as many unsatisfied workers

employed by a ‘mate of a mate’ for a small contractor. The psychological factor here worth noting, is that one important aspect of our job satisfaction in the mines, or perhaps anywhere, is feeling valued. Reflecting on this, I recall how a supervisor I once had would always thank us for our efforts at the end of the day. Something as simple as this goes a long way. When workers feel valued, they tend to reciprocate by way of “mirroring”: they themselves are more likely to value their job, value the company and superiors. So by being valued, people will more likely value others. To explore this in more depth and how it relates to the mining

industry, I asked another friend of mine about her experience working for one of the mining giants. I told Sarah (who has been a dump truck operator for eight years) about Barry, and asked what she thought. “Yeah I went through that stage of feeling like a number and not a name when I first started, too,” she said. “Especially when I saw new people coming and going practically every shift! I wondered if I would last. “But I stuck around, made a name for myself by being good at what I do, and I think I have created for myself a decent sort of reputation that the supervisors recognise, and so they value me for me. “I never chased the money and went from one place to the next. I stayed where I am to this day – I survived quite a few lay-offs – and I actually believe the bosses valued this.” “It’s not the company’s fault they don’t value someone, whether it’s a big company or a small one. “That ‘someone’ has to make sure that he or she is a someone, not a no one. “You have to do your job well, turn up everyday on time looking respectable, be polite to everyone, and then, when you do that long enough, you will earn the right to be valued.” Perhaps it’s irrelevant if you work for one of the big companies or a small company. Job satisfaction and feeling valued, might be more about getting out what you put in. Do you feel valued at work? Text us your thoughts. Comment or SMS 0409 471 014

Tune into the Michael J. Breakfast show from 7:35 am every Monday for 4RO's CQ Mining Update, with special guest Angus from Shift Miner.

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Shift Miner’s Most Eligible

Bachelor & Bachelorette Here’s round three of our Bachelors and Bachelorettes. It’s not too late to enter, see details below.

Well ladies, here’s another bachelor to add to the mix… meet the latest contestant in competition:

Robert Dyson, 30 Lucas Drilling/QGC pipeline, Woleebee Creek

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Riding my dirtbikes or travelling.

My signature dish is: Chicken and cashews or beef kievs.

My perfect date would be:

My best attribute is:

A nice romatic dinner overlooking the ocean, followed by a sunset walk along the beach (so I can push them in the water haha!) or a day out on the dirtbikes or jetskis.

I’m loyal, honest and would give the shirt off my back if it meant helping someone, providing they are trying to help themselves.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is:

Loyal, proud, crazy, class clown, random, fun and a good cook (my cousin says I’m a stubborn sh*thead who knows how to party).

Live with no regrets, head high with pride.

My friends say I am:

So far in the competition Robert is competing against:

Shane Martyn, 27

Dan Beshman, 24

Brad Hornby, 23

Eamonn Smith, 31

When I’m not at work you’ll find me:

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: In Roma. I used to live there and seem to be always going back.

When I’m not at work you’ll find me at?

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: At the Nugget or

Camping and searching for good 4WD tracks

The best advice I’ve ever been given is:

Moranbah airport

Spotless, Wooleebee Creek

Reputation is everything

Don’t swear in front of your mother

My perfect date would be:

Rugby, red wine and romance

A relaxed, spontaneous day trip

My best attribute is: When you make me smile

My friends say I am a: Gentleman, caring and cheeky!

My perfect date would be: My signature dish is: Spaghetti bolognese If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Park ranger - I love working with animals

If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): French poodle - one of my mates has one and the girls love it

Poly butt welder, Roma

At the beach surfing or at Billy’s beach house

My best attribute is? My smile

My perfect date would be? Bottle of wine and a blanket over looking the Caboolture lakes My life is best described in the song? One Direction - You don’t know you’re beautiful

My worst habit is? Addicted to 4 and 20 pies and coke.

If you could chose any animal as a pet? A lamb - chicks love them. And they have nice wool. Or a schitzu dog as my family breeds them in New Zealand.

BMD Caval Ridge project, Moranbah washing away my daily sins in the Moranbah swimming pool.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Always treat a woman with respect and when you find a good one, never ever let her go.

My perfect date would be: Having a private, candle-lit dinner on the beach with the girl of my dreams. Followed by a stroll down the beach in our bare feet with the waves tickling our toes. My life is best described in the song: Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me.

My worst habit is: Always putting myself down and thinking I will never find a girl.

My best attribute is: My smile. The ladies always comment on it and say I make them feel all warm.

Listen to Frank the Tank interview our contestants - go online to www.shiftminer.com or download the Shift Miner iphone app

30th September 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Around Town

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EYE OF THE TIGER

The Blackwater PCYC held a Boxing Tournament recently. [Photo credit: Jeanette Fletcher]

Zaine Beazley and Isaiah Brown

Tallie and Hugh McIver

Wendy McIver and Ron Hochmuth

Billy and his father Craig Evans after Billy won his Tournament

AND THE WINNER IS...

The Blackwater Crushers held their presentation night last Saturday night at the Capricorn Hotel. [Photo credit: Jeanette Fletcher]

Brodie Scales and Keano Lloyd-Jones

Roy and Andrew MacGregor

Maree Taylor and Rebekah

Jemima Johnson, Jo Walker and Narelle Ford

Sky Saunders and Amber White

Angie and Dan Hannant

Edgar Broome and Cody King

Kym and Brendan

Blake, Rick and Diane Hughes

Hamish King and Zac Clemesha

Holding a social event you want photographed?  Call the Shift Miner office on 4921 4333 to let us know.  You can also give our office a bell if you’d like a copy of any of the photos in this edition.

28th October 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Around Town

www.shiftminer.com

MiddleMount at lunch Snapped at the Middlemount Shopping Centre were many ladies enjoying a bite to eat and a couple of good-looking sorts in the newsagency. [Photo credit: Nicky Way]

Anika and Carolyn Gentle

Belinda Brown and Tash Hobbs

Kirby Simpson and Jackie Clark

Helen Thorne, Marion Danastas and Kayleen Small

Joe Corrir and Cam Glasson

let’S Get PhYSical!

Helen Daly of YOUR Way Fitness had everyone’s heart racing at a Tabata-style exercise session in Middlemount recently. It suits all levels of fitness and children are welcome! [Photo credit: Nicky, Max and Ruben Way]

Jane, Elouise and Lucy Grieger with Sonia Zette

Gina and Lucy Landimore with Helen Daly of YOUR Way Fitness

Katrina Macdonald, Leah and Sienna Patch

Melinda and Hayley Crosby with Serena Darwen

Nicky, Max & Ruben Way

Buy this and many other images at

www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together 28th October 2013

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Off Shift

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FROm THE EDITOR

Dodgy training IT is a concern when a certified trainer gets scammed by another training company. Tash Fee runs her own training company and has won many industry awards, so if she and her partner - can get scammed how many other people have been taken in? This is not the news the training industry needs when it is going through tough times and so many are closing their doors. Those that remain open are offering courses at reduced costs, and it is an opportune time for people to upskill. However, these current conditions have led to a perfect environment for some to act less than legally. Sadly, this is also a time when the industry does not need one bad egg to put the entire industry into disrepute. So how can another trainer get scammed? Perhaps because who you train with may not be the actual company you have registered with. Only registered training organisations (RTOs) are authorised to issue nationally

accredited certificates, but costs have skyrocketed and many now use other training companies in partnership arrangements to run courses to keep their operating costs down. Although another organisation may be running the course, the certificates can only be issued by the umbrella organisation. In this instance, the RTO Ms Fee and her partner used had no record of anyone who sat that particular course and had not issued the certificates. Ms Fee suggests you call the RTO and give them your certificate number to ensure it is bona fide when you have completed your course. It might also pay to ask more questions before you sign up. Ms Fee has lodged her complaint with the police and we will watch with interest. Meanwhile, buyer beware. Inga Stunzner What are your thoughts on this issue? Comment or SMS 0409 471 014

Photos to THE EDITOR

Sent in by one of our readers

Text in your best snap to 0409 471 014

CARTON OF BEER FOR YOUR EYES! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back by popular demand.

You SMS us a photo to 0428 154 653 of something youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen on site. A bogged digger, the bossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chocked motorbike - whatever tickles your fancy. Tell us in the text message what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at. Every three months weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll decide on a winner and post you out a carton of beer! So SMS your pics to 0428 154 653

28th October 2013

SHIFT MIN ER

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l@taylor s-so Level 2/ licitors.com. 17 Brisba au ne Street Mackay

Dear Editor, I am writing to you about the issue of roadworks, speed limits and traffic control. Seriously, how many road users are frustrated to the point of screaming at your windscreen about: â&#x20AC;˘ unnecessarily slow road works speed limits; â&#x20AC;˘ reduced speed when there are no works being done or the work has finished and they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t taken the signs away; â&#x20AC;˘ the roadworks are well off the side of the road and there is no danger to workers or passing vehicles; â&#x20AC;˘ traffic controllers stationed at traffic light controlled road works with a stop/slow sign when there is a big traffic light with a red or green light (how stupid are we road users); â&#x20AC;˘ a traffic control ute escorts you at 40kph through the roadworks to make sure you drive on the side of the road without the huge grader, dump truck or a huge hole (again how dumb are we); â&#x20AC;˘ inconsistent road works speed limits â&#x20AC;&#x201C; e.g. one section of new road surface with no lines marked reduced to 60kph and then the next only a few kilometres further on at 80kph or even 100kph and no reduced limit; and â&#x20AC;˘ last but not least â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the traffic controller smoking or chatting to another traffic controller and not paying attention to the roadworks and having to beep and point to get their attention that the road is clear and we should be able to go through. It is just me, or is this stuff real and wasting an incalculable amount of our tax payersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money? Someone from Local or State Government should get out on our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads and see how much money is being wasted at roadworks across the state

by roadwork companies and/or traffic control companies to supposedly keep the workers and road users safe. If Local and State Governments are just awarding these road repair contracts to companies and not checking on the details of their traffic management plans they need to wake up and smell the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;BSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; they are being fed. I am a Risk Management and WH&S expert with numerous years experience and the whole process of traffic control at roadworks needs a real good shake up by someone who actually knows what they are doing. I was heading up to Townsville last year and was stopped at roadworks. I was watching the traffic control woman frantically waving at me to move off and go through the roadworks. I pointed at her sign and as she looked at it she realised it still said STOP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; she hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turned it around as she was busy chatting to the other traffic controller sitting on an esky behind her and while she was sucking on her cigarette. So professional. Name withheld for fear of being held up indefinitely at roadworks next time I travel by some cranky traffic controller.

Last edition, Shift Miner ran a story about big planes landing at Rockhampton airport, and one reader says a correction should be made: In regards to your October 14 magazine story about the Antonov landing at Rockhampton Airport and saying that it is only one of three airports that can handle a plane that size in Queensland. I know for a fact that an Antonov landed at Mount Isa in the early 1990s carrying ball mills for the Century Mine. Shane Wood

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Frank the Tank’s Dear Frank,

My girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend has been stalking her. I want to confront him and tell him to cut it out, but he’s such a huge bloke I fear he may snap me in half. My girlfriend doesn’t want the cops to get involved. What should I do? Stevo, Alton Downs Sounds like you’re in quite a predicament here, Stevo. Your girlfriend’s ex obviously isn’t a very talented stalker since he seems to be frequently getting caught. A good stalker - like your’s truly - has all the stealth and skills of a mystical ninja, moving through the night like a shadow to steal underwear or sniff a recently used seat on the bus. I’ve actually been looking for a protege

to take up my mantle when I’m gone, someone that can soak up my years of experience and put them to good use. I tried to launch a Facebook group for stalkers, but unfortunately we were shut down after our first meeting. What’s our country coming to when it’s considered ‘illegal’ to break into a woman’s bathroom to try and steal clumps of her hair? Fortunately for you, Stevo, thanks to my vast experience in stalking I have unique insight on how to deter would-be prowlers. Finding ways to diminish your stalker’s obsession can be difficult because you never know what kind of creepy things they might be into. For example, let’s assume he likes to steal your girlfriend’s underwear and smell them. You could eat a hearty, bean-heavy Mexican meal and wear your girlfriend’s underwear around for a few hours, letting them absorb the characteristic odours associated with the aforementioned cuisine. Then you leave the underwear out

“Streakin” good love advice

for the stalker to find; when he goes to sniff them he gets a rude surprise...unless he’s into that sort of thing, in which case you’ve only enticed him further. Herein lies the problem. As a general rule, most stalkers don’t enjoy a taste of their own medicine. I highly recommend you begin stalking your girlfriend’s stalker immediately. Just try to remember that you’re doing this as a means to an end - you don’t want to become addicted. I gave the same advice to a friend of mine about 10 years ago and he’s never been the same. He was only supposed to stalk this girl for about two weeks to teach her a lesson for refusing to go out with him. Ten years later and he’s still at it. I wouldn’t mind so much but it was extremely awkward presiding over the ceremony in which he married the giant ball of her hair he’d spent 10 years collecting.

Frank

STILL IN THE UK

Fair Dinkum!

Transformers star Shia LaBeouf was kicked in the nuts recently when he refused to stop filming two girls throwing up in the street. The 27-year-old actor was enjoying a night out in London when he came across two girls throwing up in Leicester Square and

SENSIBLE SUSAN Stevo, This is a pretty serious matter. It sounds like your girlfriend’s ex might still be a little too attached. I would highly recommend making a complaint to the police if his behaviour is scaring you or your girlfriend. Since you said your GF doesn’t want to do that, I would consider confronting him in a public place and asking him to stop; tell him that you’re considering making a complaint to the police. He certainly shouldn’t be able to ‘snap you in half’ in a public place, and hopefully he’ll get the message and back off.

Susan

decided to film them on his mobile phone. One of the girls took exception to being filmed and asked the start to stop. When he refused a man accompanying the girls punched LaBeouf and kneed him in the groin. No complaint was made with the police.

Ouch! Giant wasps have descended on China, stinging anyone who disturbs them.

IN THE UK – The London Fire

Brigade has revealed that a startling number of Brits are calling emergency services for bizarre reasons. People phoned for emergency assistance for a variety of unusual reasons including a spider crawling on their pillow, dropping their mobile phone in the toilet and losing their false teeth. One elderly woman phoned for assistance fearing a fox in her garden was planning on attacking her because it had a “strange look on its face”. The decision to release the bizarre reasons for calls to the fire brigade was to promote public awareness that the number should only be used during a genuine emergency.

IN THE US

- An Ohio man sped through a roadside breath test and led police on a high speed pursuit...because he wanted to finish his Big Mac. The man eventually surrendered and

admitted to police that he’d had 15 beers. He apologised to police and admitted he’d sped through the checkpoint because he wanted to finish eating his Big Mac. When breathalysed by police he blew more than three times the legal limit (which is .08 in the US). Police charged the fast food fanatic with drunk driving and fleeing an officer.

IN CHINA

- Giant Asian hornets are rampaging across China, killing at least 42 people and injuring almost 2000. The hornets have been known to chase victims for hundred of metres, delivering more than 200 stings. Venom from the hornet’s sting is so powerful it dissolves red blood cells, which can cause kidney failure and death. Some experts believe that climate change may be contributing to global rise in the insect population. 28th October 2013

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MOVIE Review by Justin Carlos

Old-school action formula still works 2 Guns is the latest ‘buddy’ action picture in a long, long line. The film utilises the successful ‘biracial pairing’ popular in 1980s action films like 48 Hours and Lethal Weapon. Simply put, the film stars Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington.

SUGGESTED HEADING: BODY: ONE of the most successful action movie formulas is undoubtedly the ‘buddy’ picture. Embodied by movies like Lethal Weapon, the buddy pic usually features an unlikely partnership up against a massive criminal enterprise.

3 8 2 9

PUZZLES 6 7 3 1

1 3 7 2 8 9 8 2 3 4 MEDIUM

Bobby Beans (Washington) and Michael Stigman (Wahlberg) are hustlers looking to make a deal with a Mexican drug cartel. When the deal sours they decide to rob a bank north of the border where they believe the cartel has stashed a $3 million fortune. 7

10 11

5 6 8 9 2

14 17 19

18 20

21 22

5 2 7 1

# 57

Across 1. Plant specialist 5. Savoy & Hilton 9. Rainbow’s band of colours 10. Shooter’s target, clay ... 12. Sales brochure 13. From Baghdad 14. Bad habit 16. Notorious affair 19. Pressurised can 21. Flower stalk 24. Identical siblings 25. Solo card game 27. Rubbed out 28. Without shoes 29. Detective 30. Watchful

After the robbery nets the suspiciously large sum of $43 million, Beans and Stigman start to become suspicious about whose money they actually stole. From there the film takes a series twists and turns that involves the military, government corruption, drug cartels and a lot of shootouts. Aside from some novel plot twists (don’t worry, there’s no spoilers in Shift Miner) 2 Guns is pretty much your run-ofthe-mill action movie. There’s plenty of amusing banter between Wahlberg and Washington, fist fights, explosions, bullets flying from all angles and even a car chase. While the movie is undoubtedly entertaining and will definitely satisfy any action fan’s appetite for destruction, it doesn’t quite capture the same ‘edge of your seat’ feeling as its predecessors. Some of the actions sequences seem a little anti-climactic, with the conflict petering out a little prematurely. Although it’s certainly not going to go down as a classic, if you’re an action fan you certainly won’t be disappointed with 2 Guns. The engaging plot and slick dialogue between Wahlberg and Washington make the film very easy to watch. If you’re in the mood for something with a decent plot and plenty of explosions check out 2 Guns.

Down 1. Fundamentals 2. International agreement 3. Of birth 4. Import illegally 6. Come (from) 7. Green gems 8. Level-headed 11. Camera glass 15. Adamant 17. Part of bed # 56 18. Irk 20. Misplaced 21. Small raisin 22. Japanese robe 23. Mooring spots 26. Robbery

LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS S T R A T EG C A I A R E F I N E R U F G N B A L L E R I S E S C A S H C A P OB V I OU S B E L E B A N J O C L G G T E L I X I R R N S S I GN E D

9 7 3 2 1 5 6 8 4

8 4 2 6 9 3 7 5 1

5 1 6 4 7 8 3 9 2

3 9 5 1 4 2 8 6 7

COU P EW R AW T I R O S A N E E E L E B R F R M I N I M S B T HR E A Y

N B N A T H E

4 8 7 3 5 6 1 2 9

2 6 1 7 8 9 4 3 5

6 3 4 9 2 1 5 7 8

S I T U A T E D

I N O ON S R E N S S E

R D A T E C M I S E S A T E N

1 2 8 5 3 7 9 4 6

7 5 9 8 6 4 2 1 3

SHIFT MINER Handy Crossword 147ME - (15A grid) Handy Crossword 079s. pdf

28th October 2013

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Bait Shop Banter

Secret Spot fishing guru Adrian caught this beautiful gold-coloured king salmon in the Fitzroy River.

YEPPOON

- Some fickle weather has kept most anglers onshore lately; luckily the creeks and estuaries are firing. Adrian from the Secret Spot Bait and Tackle in Yeppoon says it’s the prime time to try and net a barra. “They’ve been well and truly on the chew - the freshwater reaches of the Fitzroy are finally producing, and Corio Bay has also started to produce some really good barra as well.”

If you’re chasing something different there’s reports of a variety of species being caught around Rocky and Yeppoon. “Coorooman has been fishing alright for grunter, and the bottom reaches of the Fitzroy have been fishing extremely well for blue and threadfin salmon. The Z-man four-inch minnow lures in ‘opening night’ are proving irresistible to the salmon at the moment,” said Adrian. If you fancy running the pots there’s

been some good catches of crab in Coorooman Creek.

were plenty of good catches, and it’s hoped the fishing will pick back up when the weather improves. “There were some good mangrove jack showing up in the narrows and the harbour and plenty of barra. Some people were also getting a big golden trevally around the headland at 1770,” said Ollie. Until the wind drops off it’s probably better to dust the golf clubs off and save the rod and reel for more favourable conditions.

MACKAY - Thanks to some

decent weather the fishing around Mackay has been excellent, both on and offshore. Julian from Tackle World Mackay says that most anglers who’ve ventured out wide have come home with good catches. “There’s been some really nice catches of red fish like coral trout and nannygai in the shipping channel, and some really good red throat and sweet lip around St Bees and Keswick Islands.” If you can’t get out wide the creeks and estuaries are fishing equally well. “Murray and Rocky Dam Creeks have been producing a lot of really good king salmon and barra at the moment,” said Julian. The crabs haven’t quite started to move yet, so it may be best to leave the pots at home until it warms up a bit more.

If you have a good photo or fishing yarn send it through to our resident bait chucker-

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

GLADSTONE

- A nasty southeasterly has made fishing conditions positively woeful of late. Ollie from Pat’s Tackle world in Gladstone says the wind kept most anglers at home with their feet up, and those who did head out had no luck. “A lot of people didn’t go fishing but the weather has definitely been unkind. A few blokes fished the dam over the weekend and got nothing, the wind just shut them down.” Before the wind ruined the party there

your weather forecast t

MACKAY

Gladstone

MACKAY

Gladstone

Mon 28

WEEK 1 - A trough with storms followed by cooler to cold air has helped downgrade the bushfires in NSW (See weather map.) The initial reports suggest one death, around 200 houses destroyed and 50,000 hectares burnt with estimated insurances losses around $130 million. The trough ahead should trigger more storms over southern Queensland. On the 17/18 October the first severe storms for the season moved over SEQ and verging into the southern Coalfields. The storms caused power loss to 20,000 homes from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast and also affected Ipswich, Toowoomba, Dalby and the southern Coalfields. Large hail 2.5cm was recorded at Helensvale. Some falls of

28th October 2013

note (mm): Rosentreters Bridge 59, Esk 37, Texas 30, Maroochydore 28, Toowong 21. Then mainly High Based Thundery showers (HBTS) with dry lightning caused some interesting falls in the southern Coalfields extremity. Notably (mm) Taroom 22, Utopia Downs 19, Wandoan 14, Glen Rock 11, Surat 8, Cockatoo Ck. 8. Bushfire smoke continued throughout the Coalfields. The major Zamia National Park fire has now come under control, but there have been two more major outbreaks at the Expedition Range and the Carnarvon National Park during the weekend 19-20 Oct. The trough should herald maximums in the mid 30s and then a more comfortable easterly breeze to

With Mike Griffin

Tue 29

Wed 30

Thu 31

Fri 1 Sat 2 Sun 3

Time

0428 1025 1630 2304

2.74 1.63 3.30 1.31

0529 1123 1727 2351

3.02 1.42 3.46 1.07

0613 1211 1815

3.31 1.19 3.62

0032 0652 1255 1859

0.84 3.59 0.97 3.74

0111 0730 1339 1941

0.64 3.84 0.78 3.82

0150 0808 1422 2022

0.48 4.05 0.63 3.84

0229 0846 1505 2102

0.37 4.20 0.53 3.82

0026 0637 1231 1837

1.68 3.85 1.90 4.53

0111 0718 1319 1921

1.35 4.25 1.57 4.78

0148 0755 1401 1958

1.04 4.63 1.27 4.98

0223 0829 1442 2036

0.77 4.97 1.02 5.12

0259 0905 1523 2114

0.55 5.28 0.84 5.18

0336 0942 1604 2153

0.39 5.54 0.71 5.18

0413 1021 1647 2234

0.29 5.73 0.66 5.10

Mon 4

Tue 5

Wed 6

Thu 7

Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10

Time

0307 0926 1549 2144

0.33 4.29 0.51 3.75

0347 1008 1635 2228

0.39 4.31 0.56 3.62

0428 1054 1722 2316

0.52 4.24 0.68 3.45

0511 1145 1815

0.73 4.10 0.84

0011 0602 1243 1915

3.27 0.98 3.93 0.99

0116 0708 1351 2023

3.13 1.20 3.79 1.06

0231 0827 1503 2136

3.11 1.32 3.72 1.02

0451 1101 1732 2317

0.28 5.82 0.69 4.93

0532 1143 1819

0.38 5.80 0.82

0003 0613 1230 1909

4.69 0.58 5.65 1.01

0055 0700 1322 2008

4.40 0.87 5.42 1.20

0157 0757 1424 2115

4.15 1.19 5.18 1.30

0310 0908 1537 2230

4.03 1.44 5.02 1.26

0434 1032 1656 2344

4.12 1.52 4.99 1.06

start the week. Temperatures gradually rise inland as a ridge makes conditions rather pleasant in the east. Boaties! The north-west extremity of the Tasman high hangs in on coast! Mon-Sun: ESE/E 10-15 tending NE avo in south. Could be some slight variations of this.

conditions in the east and warmer temperatures – early thirties in the west. If it weakens late week warmer maximums could raise the fire dangers ahead of a trough in the south. If storms develop on the NSW/ QLD border isolated HBTS are possible for the southern Coalfields around the weekend.

WEEK 2 - The SOI has taken a steep fall to +0.2 (before going to print and could fall below zero). Does this mean that the dryer conditions could continue into early summer? Makes one ask – “are we going to get a drier wet season than normal?” The large Tasman high should continue to influence the Queensland coast. That means comfortable

Marine Lovers! The ridge should be weakening – sea breezes return! Mon-Tue: ESE 11-16 possibly more with a brief shower north of Cape Manifold. Wed: ESE/E 10-15 tending NE in the south avo. Thr: ESE/ENE 15-10. NE 15-18 afternoon inshore. Fri-Sat: E/NE 8-12 tending NNE 15-20 avo inshore. Watch for late storms in the south late weekend!

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Outrageous Restaurants WHEN you jet off on holiday part of the fun is dining out at restaurants...or at least it’s supposed to be. We’ve scoured the web and come up with five of the most outrageous restaurants in the world. Love them or hate them, they’ve all got the distinction of being unique...in one way or another.

The Heart Attack Bar and Grill Situated in Las Vegas and holding the Guinness World Record for the world’s most ‘calorific’ burger, the Heart Attack Bar and Grill is unrepentantly contributing to obesity in America. Pictured below is the double bypass burger, which looks like too much food for most. Horrifyingly, the menu goes all the way up to the ‘Octuple Bypass burger’. The Heart Attack Bar and Grill certainly lives up to its name with one customer dropping dead while eating a triple bypass burger and two spokespeople suffering fatal coronary episodes. Oh, and if you’re over 350 pounds (150 kilos) you eat for free.

Soldantekaffee

Bacon Bacon

Located in Indonesia Soldantekaffe is possibly the world’s only Nazithemed cafe. Decorated with swastikas, propaganda and a giant portrait of Hitler, the cafe is run by waitstaff in Nazi uniforms. It was briefly shut down in 2011 for an investigation into its offensive nature but has since reopened.

Who doesn’t love bacon? The neighbours of this San Francisco restaurant, apparently. Bacon Bacon was cooking over 300 pounds of delicious pork per day in order to service its menu, which basically consisted of bacon everything - including bacon chocolate and bacon jam. After nearby residents complained about the constant smell of bacon, the restaurant was forced to close. Now the good news - Bacon Bacon is once again open for business and serving up delicacies like deep fried bacon. My heart hurts just thinking about it.

Snow Village Ice Restaurant, Finland If you’re after a hot meal this one probably isn’t for you. The entire restaurant, including the tables and chairs, are made of ice. You can enjoy cold smoked salmon, potato soup and, of course, Vodka. When your holiday is over you can always look down at the toe you lost to frost bite and remember your quaint dinner at the ice restaurant.

Mokutanya Yakitori Restaurant This Florida restaurant obviously has little respect for the king of the jungle. They charged patrons $70 for a skewer of lion meat. The farm-raised lion was cubed and sold in what appears to be a one-off culinary experiment. The gourmet restaurant also serves peacock and swan.

28th October 2013

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Weird stuff for Halloween HALLOWEEN may not be quite as big a deal in the land down under as it is in the States, but it’s a good excuse for most Aussies to throw a costume party. If you’re holding or attending a Halloween party, don’t forget to stock up on the essentials, like these…

Sharknado costume

Weird pizza face

Possibly the most successful ultra-B grade movie in recent memory, Sharknado has also inspired this awesome costume.

No Halloween party would be complete without decorations. Forget cobwebs and plastic spiders, set yourself apart with this totally bizarre pizza decoration.

Inflatable beard It’s almost Halloween and you don’t have a costume...plus it’s too late to grow a beard! Thank heavens facial hair now comes as an inflatable prosthesis.

Onion ring mints After you’ve eaten your five-pound gummi bear you’ll most likely want to freshen your breath...forget peppermint, give your breath the winning aroma of onion rings!

Five-pound gummi bear So you need candy for your Halloween party, why waste money on heaps of tiny gummi bears when you can have one gigantic one? Unfortunately eating the entire fivepound gummi bear in one sitting will likely result in Type 2 diabetes.

SHIFT MINER’S PICK

What’s Happening?

Charleville Cup Festival

Saturday 2 November - Tuesday 5 November

For more details: www.charlevillecup.com.au Region: Queensland - Charleville

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modern minimalist Balinese inspired resort apartments and split level Jacuzzi penthouses all with extraordinary ocean views, at Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat sets new standards of luxury adult only boutique accommodation in the Whitsundays, guests can expect a high level of privacy coupled with exceptional unobtrusive personalised service, at Whitsunday Vista Resort located just moments from the vibrant Port of Airlie offers exceptional value ocean vista spa suites and apartments. www.athotelgroup.com

Airlie Beach Whitsundays QLD Australia t 07 4948 4300 e stay@athotelgroup.com w athotelgroup.com

28th October 2013

Charleville Cup Festival is four days of food, fun and fashion. Enjoy an evening of fun, food and entertainment on Saturday; a Bookmakers Golf Fun Day on Sunday, and Sunset Food Fun and Fashion Fair in the park that evening. Try the Cosmos/Bilby experience by day and buy a winner at the Race Club Calcutta Monday evening. Frock up and go racing on Tuesday for the Charleville Cup Race Day held on Melbourne Cup Day. There is fun for the kids and Fashions on the Field for all.

Middlemount Fun Run Sunday 3 November

For more details: www.pinkribbonday.cancer.org. auRegion: Queensland - Middlemount /Dysart / Tieri Run, walk, push a pram and take the dog to the Breast Cancer Fun Run/Walk at the Middlemount Golf Club on Sunday 3 November. Kicking off at 8.00am, Mum, Dad, bub, kids, the dog are invited to take part in a fun 3 or 5 km run/walk starting and ending at the Middlemount Golf Club. Registration is $5 and its a gold coin donation for the post dash breakkie. There will also be caps for sale. The event is part of the ‘Girls night out in the Mount’

fundraising drive to raise money to donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Donations go towards research into cures and treatment and support of those affected by Breast and Gynaecological Cancers including; cervical, ovarian and other sometimes fatal cancers that affect at least 50 women every year. For more information contact Kate Clive on 07) 4985 9449

Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix Saturday 9 November 2013 - Sunday 10 November 2013

For more details: www.formulapowerboats.com.au Region: Queensland - Bundaberg The Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix will host Round One in Bundaberg and is the only Queensland event of its Five Round National series. Patrons can look forward to an extreme sport that is both fast and colourful with hairpin turns and high speed passing manoeuvres. Also popular will be the six litre and unlimited displacement classes who will compete for the Trojan Cup and Iron Nuts Shield. Venue facilities include food and drink vendors, licensed bar, public address system, some grandstand seating, controlled access to the pits and the opportunity to meet the drivers. It should prove to be a great family day out!

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Sport Clermont miners too strong on battlefield Shift Miner Magazine

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FOOTBALLERS from Rio Tinto’s Clermont mine have won the Stellar Recruitment Battle of the Mines rugby league carnival in Emerald. The Clermont miners were unbeaten in all four games and too strong for the five other mines that competed in the event. There was daylight between first and second, with the CFMEU Pride grabbing the silver medal with two wins. The Oaky Creek Crusaders took out the wooden spoon, unable to register a win

in the 10-game tournament. Punters might have expected the Lake Lindsay Battlers to challenge Clermont for the title, especially having ex-Queensland and Australian player PJ Marsh in the side. They registered just the one win, as did the boys from the Kestrel mine. Game development officer for the NRL, Andrew Lawrence, said that while there was some spirited competition, the carnival is more about engaging with the

community than the quest for the trophy. “The whole aim of the battle of the mines is to get mines to compete and create a positive environment,” he said. “When the guys play together it creates a really positive workplace environment; the guys get really excited about it.” “Through the carnival we might get someone who’s retired (from football) to go down and sell raffle tickets at their local club. It’s about trying to create that

community link through football.” He said that the most memorable moment of the carnival came not from length of the field tries or 50 metre field goals, but from a solemn tribute to tragic losses within the community. “To me the most memorable feature was when the five teams came together in a circle in the middle of the field to have a minute’s silence for a couple of people who had passed away in the rugby league community. It was just really touching.”

Age shall not weary them. Miners battle it out at McIndoe Park last weekend in Emerald

A Fun Run for a serious cause in Middlemount RUN, walk, push a pram and take the dog to the Breast Cancer Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, November 3. Event organiser Kate Clive said the relaxed day will start at 8.00am at the Middlemount Golf Club. “We want Mum, Dad, bub, kids and even the dog to come down and take part in a fun 3 to 5 km run/walk that will start and end at the Golf Club. “Registration is only $5, and for a gold coin donation you can get a post-dash

sausage sizzle. There will also be Breast Cancer Caps for sale,” Kate said. The event is one of a number of community events held for the ‘Girls night out in the Mount’ fundraising drive held recently in Middlemount to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. “We’ve spent almost a month holding breast cancer fundraisers including a bake sale on election day, the Girls Night out, Police Charity Golf Day and now the fun run. It would be great if we can raise $10,000,” Ms Clive said.

Kate Clive said breast and gynaecological cancers have touched many people in the Middlemount community. “I lost my grandmother to breast cancer but I could name many other local women and families that have been affected by women’s cancer. “We can’t be complacent, these cancers won’t go away in a hurry. We have to keep raising awareness of the cancers and keep raising money to help find a cure. “That’s why we’ve organised these

events,” Kate said. “All of the donations we get will go towards research into cures and treatment for the diseases and support of those affected by Breast and Gynaecological Cancers including cervical, ovarian and other sometimes fatal cancers that affect at least 50 women every day.” For more information contact Kate Clive on (07) 4985 9449 pinkribbonday.cancer.org.au or www.nbcf.org.au

Giving a helping hand to the Nebo State Emergency Service

Proud to be a part of Proud to beQueensland a part of the central the central Queensland Community and Community and committed to the future. committed to the future.

The Nebo State Emergency Service received an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) as part of the Nebo Community Benefits Scheme, a partnership between Hail Creek Mine and Isaac Regional Council.

Pictured: (L-R) Local controller Isaac region Alex McPhee, group leader Moranbah Gerad Corkhill and Hail Creek Mine’s Helen Singer training with the new equipment.

The decade long partnership has also allowed the community to purchase operation shelters, a Stab Fast stabilisation unit and vehicle-cutting equipment to be better equipped in dealing with road incidents on the Peak Downs Highway. riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

28th October 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Money Matters

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ATO Crackdown targets online sellers

ARE you an avid eBay seller? If so the ATO may already have you under their microscope. As part of a new welfare and tax crackdown the tax office has called for eBay, rental authorities and transport departments to hand over personal details. The Human Services Department of the ATO last month ordered eBay to hand over the names and dates of birth of sellers with “significant sales”. Human Services Minister Marise Payne said if someone is making money from eBay or a similar online business, they should be reporting it. “Income is income, whether you’re

selling goods in a shopping centre or through an online store,’’ she said. “I take a very dim view of people who defraud taxpayers. They are in effect stealing from their fellow neighbours and citizens. `I would like to say to anyone who attempts to earn profits in this manner without declaring their income, that there is a strong chance you will be caught.”. Details have also been sought from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) and the Office of State Revenue to determine whether any capital gains tax has been missed. Queensland Transport was also asked to hand over information about people who purchased a vehicle worth more than $10,000 in the past two years. A spokeswoman for the ATO told the Courier Mail that it was checking real estate details. “The ATO is checking for a number of compliance issues, including compliance with capital gains legislation where a property may have been rented during its holding by a taxpayer,’’ she said. It is expected the ATO will cross check the records of 10.4 million individuals around half the population of the country - with data provided by state organisations like the RTA.

Rio sells $2 Million Diamond

RIO Tinto has sold a rare Argyle diamond at auction for a record $2 million. Overseas buyers were quick to snap up the tender of 64 diamonds, which included ruby, pink and blue stones. The Argyle Phoenix, a 1.56 carat Fancy Red Diamond, fetched the highest per carat price ever for a diamond from the Argyle mine, selling for just over $US2 million dollars. Rio Tinto Diamonds managing director Jean-Marc Lieberherr said there were several bids over $US1 million for other single stones in the auction. “We are delighted with the results for the 2013 tender collection which are a reflection of their rarity, provenance and global reach.”

He said the fact that many of the diamonds fetched prices above their estimates was indicative of the increasing demand for Argyle diamonds. All of the 64 diamonds in the tender were sold. The Argyle mine, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, produces 90 per cent of the world’s rare pink diamonds, and is the world’s largest supplier of naturally coloured diamonds. A new $2.2 billion underground mine at Argyle opened in April this year and is expected to produce 20 million carats per year, extending the overall life of the mine to 2020.

28th October 2013