the Report

Transcription

the Report

TMEC | Annual Report 2014/15
Contents
President’s Report
– Ray Mostogl...................................................... 5
One day in November:
A visit by the Chinese President
and the TasInvest Conference...........................23
CEO’s Report
– Wayne Bould.................................................... 6
Industry Report:
Tasmania’s potential tin boom.........................24
Energy & Freight Reports
– Ray Mostogl...................................................... 7
New Government Agency Representatives
Learn The Industry Ropes.............................25
Environment Report
– Aaron Brannigan.............................................. 8
The Deny King Melaleuca
Heritage museum and
mining interpretation trail............................26
Land Access Report
– Kim Denwer...................................................... 9
The mining industry embraces
shaved heads for a good cause....................29
Occupational Health & Safety Report
– Aaron Brannigan............................................10
Local High School Students learn
that Savage River mine is well-worth
its weight in magnetite..................................31
Tasmanian Minerals Emergency
Response Committee Report
– John Lamb.......................................................11
2014-15 Financials...........................................33
Profile: Steve Rush
–R
enison’s Emergency
Response coordinator..................................14
Board of Directors............................................38
2014-15 TMEC Members.................................41
2015 Tasmanian Minerals
and Energy Council’s Conference...............15
Bell Bay Aluminium Celebrates 60 Years
................................................................................17
Nyrstar Hobart Secures
Multi Metal Future............................................18
Women in Resources National Awards
–T
assie’s entrants:
Rebecca Ritchie & Jennifer Kotek...............21
3
The Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council aims to
be the organisation recognised for leadership, effective
issues management and cooperative action for the State’s
minerals and energy industry.
Our mission is to promote the development of a safe,
profitable and sustainable minerals and energy sector,
which operates within community standards.
ACN:
009 554 616
ABN:
19 009 554 616
Telephone: (03) 6223 8600
Email:[email protected]
Website:www.tasminerals.com.au
4
President’s Report
for all of Tasmania’s Energy Intensive Trade Exposed
businesses. TMEC was a signatory to a number of
national media releases and letters to the Prime Minister
and Opposition Leader pushing for this change. Again
TMEC attended the Enquiry chaired by Mr Richard
Warburton AO LVO which provided input to the changes.
Ray
Mostogl,
President
While progress has been made in the space of approvals
which cross multiple jurisdictions, there is still a parcel
of work required before I think our members would be
willing to say it is acceptable.
At last year’s AGM, I made a quip where I described the
correlation between commodity price and what each
of the companies represented at the AGM were willing
to pay for parking; good revenue equalled higher cost
parking. Taking that analogy further this year, I suspect
even car-pooling and bicycles may be in vogue at this
year’s AGM!
At a State level, the Energy milestone was achieved in
May with the release of the State Government’s Energy
Strategy. TMEC had lobbied for a change in how the
State viewed its Energy Businesses leading up the
election. This was bolstered by TMEC’s, “Big Picture”
campaign which indicated there was strong community
support for the continuation of the Mining and Minerals
Processing businesses.
In the spirit of the point I am making, members should
be pleased to have confirmed a key priority for TMEC
this year has been to resize the Association to better
fit member’s expectations. TMEC CEO Wayne Bould
together with Alison Hilder have done a remarkable job
to relocate TMEC’s administrative centre from Hobart
to Burnie and at the same time reconfigure the various
services to better suit current technology which in all
cases have reduced the operating costs.
TMEC were quick off the mark to hold the State
Government to account for its election promises and
to the credit of the State Government, a working party
was formed and commenced early on in the current
government’s term.
In addition to Energy, a number of Directors remained
actively involved in Chairing and supporting the various
sub committees which seek to establish common
benefits for TMEC’s members. The “licence to operate”
aspects of the member businesses were well supported
by the continuation of the OHS Committee and
bolstered by the establishment of the Environmental
Committee.
The lease on the premises in Hobart finishes up in
January 2016, which will see a further reduction in the
Association’s cost base.
The change has also been heralded with a much
improved set of documentation standards which will
underpin the smooth transition of incumbents as and
when required, while ensuring member expectations are
unaffected.
The industry’s Emergency Response capability
continues to reshape itself to suit the changing
landscape. The contribution to the overall standards
within the industry which TMERC brings is a credit to all
involved.
At an industry level, revenues are under pressure which
attracts the obligatory cost pressure to ride through the
lean times. In saying that, ABX successfully started up
the first new bauxite mine in Australia in 30 years. While
still early days and the relative small scale, it is healthy
to see the Mining Sector broaden its base in Tasmania.
Land Access is an area with much complexity and highly
variable agendas from the different stakeholders. This is
a committee which will continue to be a vital contributor
to ensure we can strike the appropriate balance.
The interests of members have been well represented
in a multitude of forums over the course of the year, and
TMEC’s ability to put forward well considered positions
has resulted in a steady stream of requests to lobby and
support changes within the Tasmanian economy.
Against the back drop of a tough part of the business
cycle, the highlight for 2015 would have to be the Annual
Conference held in Queenstown. In true West Coast
fashion, the cold damp weather outside just helped
to make the conversations warmer and richer inside.
The level of engagement by business, community and
government was unprecedented and sets a high bar
for future events. I believe I can confidently say, the
members of TMEC would be incredibly proud to be
associated with such a signature event!
At a Federal level, the changes announced to the
Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme were arguably
propelled by examples and interactions from members
of TMEC. This change, currently scheduled to come into
effect on the 1st of January 2016, will see the barrier
to do business from Tasmania lowered. While it will
not provide an exact “level playing field”, the gap has
reduced considerably.
I would like to thank the Directors, CEO – Wayne Bould
and our Administrative staff – Alison Hilder, with support
from Natalie Johnston for the support I have received in
my first year in this role.
The other big ticket Federal item was achieving 100%
exemption from the Renewable Energy Target (RET)
5
CEO’s Report
The table below depicts the changes in staffing levels
during the year:
Wayne
Bould,
Chief
Executive
Officer
The 2014-15 year has heralded some significant changes
within the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council.
Our Board has adopted a very sensible and pragmatic
approach to our organisation “cutting its cloth
according to its environment” and has supported some
significant changes that will result in the secretariat
morphing into a smaller, leaner cost efficient unit which
can represent the industry and members’ respective
needs.
Secretariat Staffing
Levels 31 July 2014
Secretariat Staffing
Levels 31 July 2015
Chief Executive Officer
(Full Time)
Chief Executive Officer
(Consultant)
ExecutiveAssistant
(Full Time)
Administration & Finance
Officer
(32 hours per week)
Communications Officer
(Full Time)
Communications Officer
(8 hours per week)
Book-Keeper
(approx. 8 hours per week)
Natalie Johnston will be leaving the Minerals Council at
the end of November 2015. We sincerely wish Natalie the
very best with her future endeavours and thank her for
her efforts over the past three years.
The Board supported two guiding principles, viz:
The office at 32 Davey Street Hobart was closed and
vacated on 27 March 2015, with the lease on the
premises terminating in January 2016. The cessation of
the lease will see a further reduction in the association’s
cost base in the coming financial year (in the vicinity of
$130k per annum). The archives are currently housed
in a storage unit at Camdale pending a decision on the
need for the establishment of a formal office facility in
the North of the State.
1. All administrative changes are made with the aim
of reducing costs; and
2. The long term effectiveness of the organisation
socially and politically must be maintained without
impacting the quality and value of the service
offered to our members.
The retirement of Terry Long and the resignation of both
Jayne Roberts and Jessica Downham saw the staffing
level in the office at 32 Davey Street, Hobart reduced
to one, our Communications Officer, Natalie Johnston.
Prior to the 2014 State election, TMEC committed to
the then Hodgman Opposition that should it win the
election, we would support moving of much of MRT’s
services to the North West of Tasmania. In line with
this commitment, in December 2014 Alison Hilder was
recruited to a new and broader role of Finance and
Administration Officer and is based on the North West
Coast.
We believe that the reduction in office overheads
and the restructure of the organisation have been
delivered without any reduction in the services offered
to members or in our capability to represent industry
matters to Government. We still enjoy the same
access and influence amongst our political leaders,
underpinned by my continuing involvement with
the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Economic
Committee.
The Board is an eclectic group of talented and
innovative business leaders. They represent the majority
of the largest industries in Tasmania – industries
that are vital to Tasmania’s economy right now, and
certainly until a strategy evolves to take Tasmania into
an alternate model which leverages our State’s talent
and resources differently. I have to say that I am proud
of our organisation, the industries we represent and the
people and communities we ultimately support. In 2016,
we will continue to look for ways to improve our service
offering, our social and political voice, and all in the
most cost and value effective way possible.
In our new “leaner” format, Alison works from an office
in her home. I too, work from office space in my home.
This strategy is supported by a very cost effective move
to cloud based office services and telephone systems.
6
Energy & Freight Reports
Ray Mostogl,
Chair of the
Freight and Energy
Committees
Energy Report
Freight Report
The Energy Committee celebrated a number of pivotal
outcomes over the last year. It partnered with a number
of Tasmanian and National organisations in making a
case for full exemption for RET payments on the basis
of being Energy Intensive Trade Exposed, competing
globally with businesses not exposed to the same
requirements.
While a structured Freight Committee was not
functioning in the year, various representatives of TMEC
banded together to make the case on a number of
issues on an as needs basis.
TMEC, amongst others lobbied for change to the
Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES).
The Federal Government made a very positive
announcement about changes to the scheme’s eligibility
criteria to take effect from 1st January 2016. TMEC
welcomed this announcement and were willing to share
the observation of how significant this change will be in
ensuring Tasmanian goods are able to get to market at a
fair and equitable price.
This change took effect from the 1st July, 2015 and will
see prior RET payments in the order of $20M per annum
being retained by Tasmanian businesses.
The Energy Committee was also represented in the
formulation of the current State Government’s Energy
Strategy. A key plank in the State Government’s election
platform was to restore the State Owned Energy
businesses as drivers of the economy, not just a means
of providing cash to the government.
TMEC made a submission to a Federal Senate Enquiry
which has been established to review the Coastal
Shipping Legislation. This legislation largely impacts
the current cost of freighting plus potential restrictions
when shipping bulk minerals from one Australian port to
another by International shipping.
To the credit of the current Government, the Energy
Strategy Committee was announced and commenced
not long after the election. Deliberations were robust at
times but remained fact based.
TMEC remains available to support the necessary
changes to the Coastal Shipping practices in Australia.
The Energy Strategy was formally released in May 2015
and was heralded with a number of developments well
advanced.
The Energy Committee is setting up to establish a six
monthly progress review forum with each of the key
stakeholders as a means to hold the State Government
to account for what they have committed to delivering.
The Energy Committee maintained an outspoken
profile in the area of Transmission Regulations (Federal
domain) and is continuing to build a case for a more
far reaching review to ensure this critical energy
transmission asset remains affordable by global
standards.
Gas has not been a big part of the 2014/15 agenda, but
given recent announcements about both East Coast
Gas pricing and the changes with Tamar Valley Power
Station, this is expected to become a key area where
TMEC will need to lobby.
7
Environment Report
Aaron Brannigan,
Chair of the
Environment
Committee
September 2014, after being dormant for approximately
6 years, saw the revival of the TMEC Environmental
Committee with the first meeting held in December
2014. The Committee is made up of key environment
representatives from the major mines and processors.
We are in place to service and contribute as a
representation of all members of TMEC and hence we
welcome all contributions and encourage all members
to get involved.
This committee has the unique ability to operate as a
close knit group and align on responsible environmental
stewardship in Tasmania, for Tasmania. The current
committee although it started off rusty (there were a
few shy members in the room) have formed an ever
strengthening relationship and take every opportunity
to share, question and align. It has become a group,
which I believe, will continue to grow in strength and
voice ensuring that the community, the government and
all other relevant stakeholders take us seriously.
Goals of the Environment Committee
During this year, three quarterly meetings were held,
predominantly getting to know each other, but
providing some great insight into not only the on goings
in the various operations, both mining and processing,
but also sharing information, knowledge and current
emerging issues and matters.
The Committee’s goal is to promote and support high
levels of environmental performance.
It aims to facilitate a two way flow of information
on environmental issues between industry and
government; influence environmental policies of
importance to the industry; advance environmental
science and management practices within the industry;
and promote the industry’s environmental expertise to
the wider community.
The committee discussed matters including waste(specifically tyre) disposal; Legacy Pollution Exchange
and Better Work Tasmania.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the
committee and its organisations for taking the time
and making the effort to attend the meetings and more
importantly make the contributions for the betterment
of the Tasmanian Mining and Energy sectors and I look
forward to continuing to serve as your Chairman in the
year to come.
It is designed to complement and augment existing
environmental practices and activities already
undertaken at the site level.
Environment Committee Key Objectives:
• Assert direct influence on key State policies,
legislation and regulation.
• Enhance knowledge through regular meetings and
workshops on relevant subjects.
• Promote environmental achievement within the
Mining and Energy sector in Tasmania to counter
any and all negative sentiment.
8
Land Access Report
Kim Denwer,
Chair of the Land
Management
Committee
Land access continues to be a challenge for our
industry. Many of Tasmania’s mines are old and in
the past 18 months we have seen mine closures and
planned closures. Without access to land for exploration
and ultimate discovery of new resources the industry
does not have a long future. During 2015 the land
management committee (LMC) has recognised four key
issues for resolution and discussion with the aim being
for a consensus approach for TMEC members via a white
paper:
4. Too many, at times conflicting, State and Federal
legislative processes to overcome, providing
additional opportunities for legal challenges to
mine approval process. This includes statutory
time limits on determinations/approvals that are
not part of existing legislation and/or are not being
complied with by statutory bodies.
The key to many (if not all of these issues) is an ongoing
and constant requirement to demonstrate the value of
mining to the economy of Tasmania, in the very least to
inform the debate with some facts. Plans are in place to
address this.
The four issues are not new and include:
1. Lack of involvement in government decision
making process, resulting in inadvertent negative
impacts on land access due to the mining industry
not being recognised as a key stakeholder at
the time. A key example is the regional forest
agreement (RFA) where on face value the issue was
only forestry where as in reality the agreement had
major ramifications for the industry.
One suggestion is that the “Take a Look at the Big
Picture” campaign was extremely effective in creating
an awareness of the contribution that industry
members makes to the everyday lives of Tasmanians
and this could be enhanced with an advertisement that
highlights the significance of the industry as a whole to
Tasmania.
2. Reclassification of land, potentially impacting
previously approved activities on existing tenure,
increasing risk to the feasibility/approval of project
development and restricting future access. This
has been a major problem for the industry for
the past decades with examples of impact being
the RFA and more recently the extensions to the
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Areas.
The white paper will be finalised and after board
endorsement will be distributed to all TMEC members to
ensure that we are all singing off the same page.
3. Negative perception of the mining industry due
to misinformation (deliberate or otherwise) in the
press or other media that is not challenged and/
or corrected. There have been numerous incidents
of incomplete/misleading communication and
deliberate misinformation or unsubstantiated
claims, generally from anti-mining groups that are
not validated by the media.
9
Occupational Health & Safety Report
Aaron Brannigan,
Chair of the
Occupational Health &
Safety Committee
The aim of this committee is simply to align on industry
and state best practice. Regular (every meeting)
interaction occurs with the regulator as a standing
agenda item. This is an excellent opportunity for
industry to interact with the regulator and for both
parties to gain insight into matters that are of concern
and how we can mitigate these matters.
Other matters covered during the year include, but are
not limited to illicit substance abuse (especially the
ICE epidemic) and mental health, two topics that have
overwhelmingly dominated the OH&S fraternity of the
Australian Resource sector this past year. As an industry
and body we have a well networked committee now,
but still the encouragement from me is for all of our
members to participate and be involved, provide us with
matters that you would like us to work on.
The Chairman of the OH&S Committee has regularly
attended the Minerals Council Australia OH&S
Committee meetings on behalf of TMEC, providing
feedback to the TMEC OH&S Committee.
It is no secret that the industry is economically still in a
very depressed period and as a result it is an absolute
necessity that we continue to ensure the safety and
well-being of our people within the industry as a decline
in lagging safety KPI’s is an indication that a site is not
in control of its activities (for whatever reason) and
the potential for the worst tragedy is exponentially
increased, yet it can be ill-afforded by any operation.
Fatalities shut operations down, that is the brutal reality
and it impacts on each and every one of us – not only
within the operation, but within the industry and more
importantly within the community.
The Chairman also attended and participated in the
Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Mining Industry
Fatality Forum held in Brisbane in August 2014.
The TMEC OH&S Committee also participated in two
submissions to the MCA this year namely: Developing
nationally consistent explosives regulation and the
Federal Government’s inquiry into Crystalline Meth (ICE).
TMEC also had representation through its OH&S
Committee at the Tasmanian Mine Safety Steering
Committee, a tripartite committee to discuss a number
of issues regarding legislation, on behalf of its members.
Stay safe, all the best for the festive season and we as
the TMEC OH&S Committee look forward to continuing
to serve you in the coming year.
The Tasmanian Mine Safety Steering Committee met
three times during the year and agreed to recommend
the following changes to the law to the Treasurer:
• Update current supplementary legislation
• Leave Section 10 out of the mining legislation
• Only have sections pertinent to the mining industry
in the mining legislation and remove any and all
regulations that are covered in other Acts.
10
TASMANIAN MINERALS EMERGENCY
RESPONSE COMMITTEE (TMERC)
11
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2015
John Lamb,
Chair of the
Emergency
Response
Committee
• Promote grass-roots cooperation between sites (eg
shared “rookies” courses);
• Return to an externally-facilitated captains’
workshop to be hosted on a site and to incorporate
a practical exercise; and
• Reduce the annual competition to a single day – or
two short days – with simplified corporate support
events.
The TMERC was established
from the Mines Rescue
Steering Committee in 2010 to promote and foster
Emergency Response capability in the Tasmanian
Minerals Industry.
Each of these items was implemented throughout the
course of the year.
Achievements & Events
Captains’ Workshop
Once again the TMERC was active, meeting five times
throughout the year in addition to its two regular
gatherings - the ERT Captains Workshop and the
Emergency Response Competition.
The TMERC 2015 Captains Workshop was hosted by
Grange Resources on site at Savage River. The seminar
was conducted over a two day period, this brought 21
Captains, Vice-Captains and ERT Coordinators together.
The seminar was facilitated by Andrew Burt from Mines
Rescue – New South Wales and guest speakers, John
Lamb – TMERC Chair, Ben Maynard Grange Recourse
GMO, Mark Smith and Craig Sault – WST and Hamish
McGovern – Safety & First-Aid Education.
The committee works in three key areas:
1. Communication and collaboration: Promoting
sharing and teamwork within the industry and
showcasing the capability of the industry to the
wider community;
The workshop incorporated:
2. Simplification and standardisation: Removing
unnecessary complexity and making emergency
response practices and protocols familiar and
predictable state-wide; and
• An accredited leadership training module;
• A practical exercise designed to test leadership and
team capability in a mutual aid setting; and
3. Pursuit of excellence
• An associated mock Mines Inspector’s interview.
Continuous improvement to ensure Tasmanian Minerals
Emergency Response reflects industry best-practice.
Heart rate, oxygen saturation and other measurements
were collected throughout the workshop from
volunteers wearing standard mining “self-rescuers”.
This information is important in designing effective
rescue strategies for persons who may be wearing these
devices for prolonged periods.
2015 Industry Context:
The committee identified several aspects of the 2015
Tasmanian Minerals Industry that greatly affect its
activities:
While participants found all elements to be valuable,
the practical exercise broke new ground. The scenario
was specifically designed to test the effectiveness with
which a multi-site mutual aid response can be mounted,
including the arrival time for second and third teams;
and identified an area of weakness that the TMERC will
work to address in 2016.
• Shrinking member base (closure of two mines and
no new mines opened);
• Reduced funding and time available from members
and sponsors as the industry deals with low metal
prices; and
• Tragic 2014 still fresh in our memory and as a result
a strong desire on all sites to be well-equipped for
emergencies.
In summary, there is a demonstrated need and great
desire to achieve a high level of emergency response
capability within Tasmania’s Minerals industry but
reduced resources with which to deliver this.
The committee identified that the TMERC must “cut
its cloth” to size in order to continue to deliver value
to member sites and selected four actions by which to
achieve this:
• Reduce the number and complexity of projects and
initiatives (stick to our knitting);
12
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2015
Service Recognition Awards
Thanks to sponsors
In 2014 the committee resolved that Emergency
Response service within Tasmania’s Minerals Industry
would be recognised by the awarding of service pins
from 2015 onwards.
TMERC wishes to thank the following major sponsors of
the 2015 competition for their generous support:
Service intervals of 5 years are recognised, either active
in a site Emergency Response team or industry-wide
in the TMERC. As 2015 is the first year in which these
awards will be made, an impressive 141 service pins
were presented!
The first presentation of pins took place at the
Competition Dinner. Those not present at the dinner will
be presented with their award on their work site.
2015 Tasmanian Minerals Emergency Response Competition
The 2015 event saw a return to the more traditional
“Mines Rescue” competition format and was hosted by
Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture at Renison
Bell.
The mutual-aid combined team was retained, as was
the ability for surface and underground teams (from
metalliferous mines, coal mines and mineral processing
facilities) to compete alongside one another in
situations relevant to their workplaces and training.
TMERC also thanks Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint
Venture for their generosity in organising and staging
the event.
Teams and Events
The competition has not taken place at the time of
going to press and the TMERC Chair will provide an
update at the Annual General meeting in November.
The following teams are registered to compete:
Chairmans Statement of Thanks
• Grange Resources
My sincere thanks on behalf of the Tasmanian
Minerals Industry to the men and women who serve in
Emergency Response teams on sites throughout the
state, and to the members of the TMERC who work
tirelessly to support them.
• Bluestone Tin
• Bell Bay Aluminium
• MMG Rosebery
• Cornwall Coal
•T
MERC team comprising members from Grange,
CMT, Renison Bell and Henty.
John Lamb
Committee Chair
The Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council website
www.tmec.com.au will contain a list of results.
TMERC Office Bearers 2015
Chair: John Lamb
Vice-Chair:
Douglas Ralph
Treasurer:
Jason Clarke
Asst Treasurer: Ivan Markota
Secretary:
Tim Bowden
Asst. Secretary: Leigh Spilsbury
TMEC Support:
Alison Hilder
www.tmec.com.au
13
Profile:
Steve Rush’s
Emergency Response
dream
It would be Steve Rush’s dream-come-true if Bluestone
Mines Joint Venture Tasmania, better known as
Renison, were to win the 2015 Tasmanian Minerals
and Emergency Response competition being held in
November.
Steve left the Rosebery mine in 2000 to work for
three years as transport manager at Lloyds North.
While he enjoyed this role, it was his passion for the
mining industry that coaxed him back into it when the
opportunity at Renison arose in 2008.
As Renison Mine’s Safety Training and Emergency
Response Coordinator, part of Steve’s job involves
organising the ER competition being hosted by Renison
this year.
Steve became a drive-in, drive-out ‘seagull’ 16 years
after buying a house on the North West Coast. These
days he rents a house in Zeehan through the week and
travels home on weekends to catch up with his wife,
three adult children and nine grandchildren.
“At last year’s ER comp we won the underground
competition. So I hope this year we win the overall
comp,” Steve says.
“In 2008 all the mines on the West Coast were in full
operation in contrast to now,” Steve says.
“I’ve worked at Renison in my role since 2008. As well
as the ER side, I’m the mine’s site safety trainer which
involves ensuring that all mine personnel are up to
date with current legislation for all high risk licences, for
example, and Renison’s site procedures.
“But mining is renowned for its cyclical periods and I’m
confident that prices will pick up again soon, as has
been reported recently.”
Renison, which is Australia’s biggest tin mine operating,
employs approximately 300 people including
contractors. The Advocate newspaper reported on 8
August 2015 that half owners Metals X advised that its
three key tin projects included Renison along with a
planned Renison Tailings retreatment program called
Rentails and Mount Bischoff.
“Renison is a great place to work as everybody is easygoing and friendly. The best thing about the job is that
it’s very flexible and that there is a lot of variety with
different challenges every day.”
Steve’s mining career started in 1981 working as a
‘nipper’ at the Rosebery mine. During his 19 years
here he moved into jumbo development mining and
underground training in using gear.
The Mount Bischoff tin mine was discovered in the late
1800s and was Tasmania’s first major mine. Tin at the
time was the metal of choice. The riches from that
mine alone underpinned the rise of Launceston from a
provincial town to a city and that’s why the tin symbol is
still contained in the city’s Coat of Arms. Mount Bischoff
has been on Care and Maintenance since 2011.
“I was the first person at the Rosebery mine to operate
a diesel operated loader. It was quite a switch from the
early days when we used air operated boggers.”
14
2015 Tasmanian Minerals & Energy’s
Council’s Conference
It is said that change is often a good thing which brings
different and rewarding outcomes.
best of the industry.
The conference generated strong media coverage
with regular reports from ABC Radio, the Advocate,
the Examiner and The Mercury. They covered, among
others, presentations by historian Nic Haygarth, the
Minister for Resources, Paul Harriss, the Minister for
Energy, Matthew Groom, the Minister for Infrastructure,
Rene Hidding, the Opposition Leader, Bryan Green, and
Independent Senator Jaqui Lambie.
And so it was the case for the 2015 Tasmanian Minerals
and Energy Council’s conference and tradeshow from
1 - 3 July.
In a break from tradition it was held in the West coast’s
mining heartland of Queenstown instead of Hobart or
Launceston and it incorporated TMEC’s annual business
forum/ tradeshow traditionally held in Launceston in
March.
Nic Haygarth started the presentations by looking at 150
years of mining in the Tarkine and suggesting that the
Tarkine’s extensive mining heritage had “terrific tourism
potential.”
The decision to hold the conference in Queenstown
provided a gesture of goodwill to a town and
community following a recent tough couple of years,
and also as a nod to its 100 plus years of mining
ancestry and perseverance riding the highs and lows of
the industry.
TMEC’s President, Wayne Bould, acknowledged that
the mining industry was going through a tough time
and that it was more a global issue than a problem with
the lack of hard work of the key players. Wayne Bould
reminded us that the West Coast of Tasmania was one
of the richest polymorph mining areas in the world and
that it was a valuable resource which is why we wish to
encourage new investors to the region.
The conference kick started on the first night with a
short train ride from Queenstown to the old mining town
of Lynchford for a causal barbecue. The conference
was well attended by over 120 people and included 29
presentations over two days by politicians, industry
figures, educators, stakeholders and members. The
presentations can be viewed at: http://tasminerals.
com.au/events.
West Coast Mayor, Phil Vickers, spoke of the importance
of the Venture Minerals Tin Mine proposal at Mt Lindsay
and he reiterated the message that West Coast was
open for business.
While Avebury Nickel Mine Limited’s public
announcement that they were unable to raise the
funds to ensure the re-opening of the Zeehan mine at
the same time the conference was being held was a
stark reminder of difficulties within the industry, the
conference very much took an upbeat approach. Billed
as “Your Future Tasmania,” it brought focus to the major
economic and social drivers within the regions and the
Minister for Resources, Paul Harriss, warned against
green groups’ push for a larger Tasmanian World
Heritage Area such as the Tarkine, which would be very
harmful for the mining industry.
“There’s no doubt mining across Australia has been
going through a tough period,” Minister Harriss said.
“But with forecasts that most commodity prices will
15
2015 Tasmanian Minerals & Energy’s
Council’s Conference
have recovered by 2017, we need to lay the groundwork
now to fully capitalise on the upswing.”
The conference included a significant section on the
innovative role of education in the industry. Dr Craig
Lindley from CSIRO Digital Productivity and Mineral
Processing Flagships, for example, discussed the
potential in optimising productivity and their project
with Bluestone Mines and MMG Rosebery.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the government
should look at flexibility of the royalties regime so the
Mt Lyell Copper Mine could reopen and that he would
declare a new mining zone around the Mt Lyell lease.
The conference was a financial and literal success with
very positive feedback obtained. We look forward to
holding future conferences in Queenstown.
Senator Jacqui Lambie courted controversy by
comparing environmentalists and the Greens Party to
Islamist state terrorists.
TMEC gives special thanks to the conference sponsors
and to TMEC Life Member, Bob Calvert, who acted as
Master of Ceremonies throughout the conference.
Site Manager of the Mt Lyell Copper Mine, Jared DeRoss,
said that although the mines future was still marginal, it
was looking more promising than it had in some time.
Copper Mines of Tasmania, he said, had completely
overhauled its safety management system to try to
ensure there were no more deaths from a mud rush
within the mine.
The Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council would like
to thank the following sponsors for their support of the
2015 Conference:
Department of State Growth
MMG Rosebery
TasRail
Barminco
Bell Bay Aluminium
IPM Safety
Jemrok Pty Ltd
Komatsu Australia Pty Ltd
Stornoway
Mancala Pty Ltd
Hagen Oil
Burnie Airport Corporation
Net Sea Freight - Tasmania
Braddon Liberal Team
Marketing and communication specialist Richard
Gerathy spoke about the importance of community
engagement and how it was more important than ever
for resources companies looking to establish mining
projects, particularly in sensitive environmental areas.
Richard Gerathy said companies needed to engage with
the 80 per cent of the community who cared about both
jobs and the environment they live in. He said another
10 per cent of the community would be ambivalent,
and the other 10 per cent determined to oppose any
development.
“Activism is now a profession, and those employed
are doing what they are paid to do,” Mr Gerathy said.
“I encourage mining companies to begin community
consultation early.”
16
Bell Bay Aluminium
celebrates 60 years!
To mark 60 years of aluminium smelting in Tasmania,
Bell Bay Aluminium opened its doors to more than 1,000
visitors on Sunday 20 and 27 September 2015 to give the
community a unique look at the first aluminium smelter
built in the southern hemisphere.
Members of the public and former employees joined
current employees and their families to celebrate the
smelter’s birthday. There was a wonderful feeling of
friendliness and nostalgia in the air! The feedback
received has been overwhelmingly positive with many
visitors thanking BBA staff for making them feel so
welcome.
Historical displays and memorabilia were showcased
in the onsite visitor’s centre and cafeteria. Guided bus
tours by Bell Bay Aluminium‘s knowledgeable and
experienced staff provided an insight into how the
smelter’s aluminium products are made. The tours were
so popular they booked out both weekends within the
first hour of the site being open.
The open day wrapped up the two-month long
celebrations at Bell Bay Aluminium which also included
a visit by the Tasmanian Premier, Will Hodgman and
state cabinet, workforce lunches, commemorative gifts
and quite a lot of birthday cake.
Bell Bay Aluminium’s General Manager Ray Mostogl
and the Premier of Tasmania, Will Hodgman.
Images by Rob Burnett
17
Nyrstar Hobart Secures
Multi Metal Future
In July 2015 an important milestone was reached for
Nyrstar Hobart with the signing of a binding agreement
for the key terms of a funding and support package
between Nyrstar and the Tasmanian Government.
The Metals Processing transformation aims to leverage
the unique capabilities of Nyrstar’s zinc mines, polymetallic mines, zinc and lead smelters to extract the
maximum value from the elements contained in the raw
materials.
Plant Manager Richard Curtis said the package
enables Nyrstar to proceed with two important growth
projects and also supports the acceleration of certain
environmental projects.
Richard noted that most importantly, the projects
support the site’s longer term sustainability, which is
critically important for the 600 employees who work
at the site and the further 3,500 jobs which rely on the
plant’s operations for employment.
“In total, Nyrstar is investing approximately AUD
$ 52 million on four important growth projects at
Hobart. Two projects relate to preparing the site for
the end of the Century mine and a more complex
feedbook. These projects are well advanced,” he said.
The other two projects which are being made possible
through a structured funding agreement supported by
the Tasmanian Government relate to:
• Minor Metals: Handling of new materials
(zinc oxide) involving a new bagging installation;
and
• Implementation of a new side leach plant for
leaching and precipitation of minor metals by
reaction tanks and thickeners.
The investments at Nyrstar Hobart will see the site
move from a primary zinc producer to a concentrator of
value, and were identified through a Smelting Strategic
Review (SSR) in 2012. They form part of Nyrstar’s Metals
Processing transformation blueprint consisting of
approximately 25 projects globally, categorised under
deconstraining smelters, building fuming capacity and
minor metals extraction.
18
ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS
Nyrstar Safety, Health, Environment and Quality
Manager Todd Milne said over the past five
years Nyrstar has invested AUD $20 million
in environmental remediation, recycling and
rehabilitation programs including a major
Stormwater Harvesting and Recycling project which
directly relates to the site’s sustainability strategy.
The Tasmanian Government’s support of this
strategy is a component of the funding agreement.
The support enables Nyrstar to fast track the
next phase of the groundwater remediation and
interception program and brings the site a step
closer to achieving its vision of isolating the site
from the river.
“Our vision is to isolate the site from the river
by capturing 100% of untreated stormwater and
groundwater from our site”, he said.
Nyrstar’s commitment to this strategy has most
recently been recognised with the Stormwater
Harvesting and Recycling project receiving the
Tasmanian Water Associations Environment Merit
Award and Tasmanian Engineering Excellence
Award.
SHEQ
Manager,
Todd Milne
Plant Manager Richard Curtis and Environment Minister Matthew Groom MP unveil an
interpretation panel,which highlights Nyrstar Hobart’s significant environmental progress.
The panel is located at the new Stormwater detention dam that is part of the sites $6
million Stormwater Harvesting and Recycling Project.
19
Leach Operators Symon Greenland,
Scott Berry, Perry Sward
Nyrstar Engineers
Dan Brown and Sam Abetz
New Town Primary Students
taking part in Tree Planting.
Casting Superintendent Michael Davis holding
Hobart’s premium Zinc product EZDA.
Roast Operator Christopher Hayes
20
Women in Resources National
Awards – Tassie’s entrants
Rebecca Ritchie,
Senior Environmental
Advisor for Copper
Mines Tasmania
Tasmania had two finalists in the 2015 Women in
Resources National Awards, held in Perth, Western
Australia, on 24 September. The finalists were
Rebecca Ritchie in the Exceptional Woman in
Australian Resources category and Jennifer Kotek
in the Exceptional Young Woman in Australian
Resources category.
“I’m involved in the management of environmental
matters across the site which includes the underground
mine, water and exploration leases, abandoned open
cut pits, the mill, filter plant and a tailings dam as part of
two-person team.”
“I also lead environmental investigations on site
and perform environment inspections and audits. I
report internally, to the parent company in India, and
externally, including National Pollution Inventory report,
and National Greenhouse Gas report NGER.
One of the first things you learn about Rebecca Ritchie is
that she’s a good listener.
And no doubt this is a useful skill in her job as senior
environmental advisor for Copper Mines Tasmania and
in her many community engagement roles.
“I participate in contractor management for
environmental projects, covering aspects of budgeting,
safety, supervision, induction, site based training, and
timesheets.”
Rebecca’s not exaggerating when she says that she tries
to get involved in the community as much as possible
as a volunteer and with her CMT hat on. She is involved
in at least 12 community / charity / schools / education
and training groups and associations, including State
Emergency Services volunteer (Road Crash Rescuer in
the West Coast of Tasmania), Landcare volunteer and
Wildlife Carer for sick and injured native animals.
Rebecca is a big believer in diversity in the workforce
whether that’s through gender, nationality or age. “It’s
positive and opens up new ideas.”
“I think the Australian resources sector’s goal to have at
least 20 percent women in non-traditional roles by 2020
is a fantastic initiative.”
After completing a Bachelor of Science at James Cook
University in Queensland some years ago, Rebecca
first started working in agriculture in Queensland. On
finding herself surrounded by mines she switched to the
resources industry and never looked back.
Her advice to young women considering working in
the industry is: “You can do it. Talk to people, find out
what study and qualifications are required, and find out
what jobs are needed in mining: truck drivers, surveyors,
accountants, Environmental advisors and engineers.”
Rebecca has worked at the Mt Lyell mine for seven years.
What does she like about her position? “The diversity.
I’m lucky to be involved in all parts of the mine and
mill from exploration to tailings management and site
rehabilitation.”
21
Women in Resources National
Awards – Tassie’s entrants
Jennifer Kotek,
Human Resources
Advisor MMG Rosebery
Mine
MMG Rosebery’s Jennifer Kotek is unfazed by being a
minority in the workforce.
Jennifer has worked in her role at MMG Rosebery since
August 2013 and describes her involvement in the
reinstatement of a site apprenticeship program as one
of the highlights in her role so far, among others.
She is one of about 20 females out of a MMG workforce
of approximately 270. She is also the only female on the
site’s Mines Rescue team.
“The apprenticeship program ensures the continuous
improvement and ongoing operations of the mine by
training skilled labour, with the knowledge and expertise
in specialised technical sectors are developed and
retained with the workforce.
“I’m treated as one of the boys and probably one of the
loudest people here,” Jennifer says.
Aged 29, Jennifer is a Human Resources advisor and
thrilled to have been nominated and to be a finalist in
the Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources
category in this year’s Women in Resources National
Awards.
“The key benefits being the ability to build, train and
maintain locally sourced talent from the community.”
After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and Science
at the University of New South Wales in 2011, Jennifer
obtained a Graduate HR Advisor position at Rio Tinto
Northparkes mine, before moving into her current
position.
“My Human Resources role is very broad and it includes
organisational development, remuneration and
benefits, industrial relations, union liaison, one-on-one
counselling and performance management,” she says.
Jennifer relocated from sunny Sydney to take up the
position. She admits that Rosebery can be “a bit rainy
and cold, but when the sun shines its magical.” She
lives in Rosebery with her partner, Jessie. He studies full
time via correspondence as well as doing the cooking.
In their spare time they love travelling the state fishing,
hiking and camping.
What makes a good HR advisor? “Being able to ask the
right questions, having empathy, being unbiased and
critically evaluating the information in front of you,”
Jennifer replies.
“Mining is very dynamic, always changing and often
challenging. I may have my day all planned out but
things often come out of the blue and you’ve got
to be on your toes and be able to analyse with the
information you have in front of you.”
22
One day in November:
A visit by the Chinese President and the
TasInvest Conference
TMEC Director
John Lamb at
TasInvest
remain competitive on the international market until
new ventures are brought on line to replace their
contribution to the State’s economy and job market.”
Mr Bould was hopeful that the agreement will
strengthen financing opportunities for the current
group of miners on the cusp of bringing their projects
to fruition such as King Island Scheelite and Stellar
Resources, providing jobs on Tasmania’s West Coast and
King Island.
Tasmania pulled out every
stop as the world’s eyes
focused on us for a day in
November 2014 when the
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited our shores.
The legislation for the historic trade deal with China was
introduced into Parliament on 16 September 2015.
An exclusive two day TasInvest conference was held
at the same time to promote the State’s key sectors to
potential Asian markets and to coincide with the inprinciple signing of a Federal free trade deal with China.
Mr Bould sourced the Minerals Council of Australia’s
statistics which have advised that the China Australia
Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) will further strengthen a
minerals and energy trade already worth more than $80
billion annually. The agreement will eliminate Chinese
tariffs – which currently range between 1.5 per cent and
10 per cent - on all minerals and energy exports within
two years. When applied at current rates, these tariffs
impose a burden of about $600 million on the bilateral
minerals and energy trade each year.
The State’s mining, minerals and processing industries
were represented by TMEC’s CEO Wayne Bould and
TMEC Director John Lamb who participated in the
TasInvest conference. Mr Bould also attended the State
Dinner in honour Mr Xi held at the Great Hall, Parliament
House in Canberra.
Wayne Bould said he was confident the free trade
deal signed with China will benefit the State’s mining,
minerals and processing industries.
In addition, MCA advised that Australian exports to
China already account for nearly 6 per cent of Australia’s
GDP, making it Australia’s largest trading partner. Worth
$100 billion dollars annually, Australian exports to China
are more than the combined value of Australia’s exports
to the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom,
South Korea, France, Canada and the 10 South East
Asian nations of the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN).
“The agreement ensures the removal over time of
Chinese tariffs on resources such as nickel, zinc,
aluminium and alumina; as well as a moratorium on the
imposition of any tariffs on iron ore.
“This free trade agreement will impact many of
Tasmania’s bigger businesses for the better and it may
open up new markets or access to new customers for
Tasmania miners and processors.
“TMEC along with MCA believe that the passage of the
legislation by late October/early November is vital,” Mr
Bould said.
“It is essential for the state’s economy that big
Tasmanian businesses with ageing infrastructure
23
Industry Report: Tasmania’s
potential tin boom
The state is no stranger to tin mining with a significant
present and past history. It started with the Mount
Bischoff tin mine discovered in the late 1800s, for
instance. Tin at the time was the metal of choice. The
riches from that mine alone underpinned the rise of
Launceston from a provincial town to a city and that’s
why the tin symbol is still contained in the city’s Coat of
Arms.
past three years have delayed approved mines from
getting off the ground by using the Federal Court
system to delay approved projects in the hope that the
proponents go broke or otherwise abandon the project.
Despite this, there are a number of tin projects in the
pipeline and confident of getting off the ground. Elementos Ltd, for example, have steadily and positively
been making progress in opening up a new tin mine
near Waratah in the north west and have pledged to
employ 200 locals when full operation gets underway by
2021.
The Mount Bischoff mine has been on Care and
Maintenance since 2011. It is owned by Bluestone
Mines Tasmania Joint Venture, which also owns the
underground West Coast Renison tin mine. The Renison
mine first opened in 1890 and these days it employs
around 300 people and is one of Tasmania’s main mines
and Australia’s biggest tin mine.
They will start work cleaning up old tailings at the
historic Cleveland tin mine in 2017 in an operation that
will employ about 30 people. An open pit operation
will be developed the year after before mining moves
underground in 2021 and the workforce is boosted to
200.
The Advocate newspaper reported on 8 August 2015
that half owners Metals X advised of its three key tin
projects, which included Renison along with a planned
Renison Tailings retreatment program called Rentails
and Mount Bischoff.
Elementos CEO Tim McManus said it was around a 15
year project. It is one of the few mines that the extreme
environmental group, the Tarkine National Coalition,
have given their nod off approval.
“While the Mount Bischoff mine remains on care and
maintenance, significant resources remain at depth
and numerous historically mined areas remain underexplored,” Renison mine half-owner Metals X Limited
said in its 2012-13 annual report.
Stellar Resources plans to start the production of the
Heemskirk tin mine near Zeehan on the West Coast in
2017. They have sourced the findings from the German
Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources
which predicts a severe tin shortage by 2020 due to
declining supply.
This is no surprise considering that Tasmania’s West and
North West Coast is regarded as one of the most highly
mineralised areas in the world for its size. The fact that
this area includes the vast Tarkine, a region that covers
some seven per cent of the Tasmanian land mass, has
been creating problems in projects progressing.
As recently as September 2015 Stellar reported much
improved project economics plans to speed up its
progress towards possible production following
successful results from an optimisation program.
The former Federal Environment Minister rejected a
blanket world heritage listing of the Tarkine region
in 2012 and it was understood that even if all the
proposed mines proceeded, it would be no more
than one per cent of the Tarkine region. Despite this,
the environmental group, Save the Tarkine, for the
After a tough few years, the Tasmanian mining industry
is hopeful of a better year and that projects in various
stages of development are able to come fruition soon.
Mount Bischoff
24
New government agency
repRESENTATIVES learn the
industry ropes
It was an intense and informative induction to
the Tasmanian minerals and mining world for
representatives of a new government agency.
“Their education on the minerals industry is thus often
limited to what they may read in the press which, as we
know, is not always accurate nor balanced. TMEC has an
ongoing agenda to engage with and educate our public
servants whenever the opportunity arises and the Board
believes that this is valuable despite the effort involved.”
Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council director John
Lamb hosted a visit to three Tasmanian sites in late May
2015 for Major Projects Approval Agency Tasmanian
branch delegates.
On this occasion, two representatives from Canberra
and two from Launceston visited Savage River, Rosebery
and Bell Bay sites. At each site they were addressed by
the General Manager and discussed aspects of each
operation and its experiences with the approval process.
It is a Commonwealth Government agency established
in July 2014 to guide proponents of large or
economically significant projects through the various
layers of approvals that may be necessary.
“They are regarded as a key part of the Government’s
‘war on red tape’,” John Lamb said.
“The party toured each site and have reported back
to us that they found it an extremely valuable and
educational experience,” John Lamb said.
“Nominally, the agency assists projects valued above
$50 million, however in the Tasmanian context their
work extends to include much smaller projects on the
basis of economic significance.
Members seeking advice or assistance with project
approvals can contact the Tasmanian office on (03) 6333
0455 or check the website: www.tas.mpaa.gov.au
“Many minerals projects are likely to fit this description
and even projects such as tailings dams are significant
as they have the capacity to interrupt the normal
operation of a site if they are delayed in the approval
pipeline.”
The Tasmanian branch is co-located with the Office
of the Coordinator-General of State Growth (state)
in Launceston and TMEC’s first communication with
them identified a very low level of awareness regarding
the minerals industry in general, what we do, how we
contribute and where we may need assistance.
“Members should not be surprised by this – we
find commonly that whilst politicians regularly visit
member sites, the bureaucrats working in the various
departments and agencies often do not,” John Lamb
said.
25
The Deny King Melaleuca
Heritage museum and mining
interpretation trail
Tasmania is sprinkled with mining history. The
following article shares the story of the fascinating
Deny King and his years of tin mining at the
isolated and wildly beautiful Melaleuca. Now his
daughter Janet Fenton is playing a crucial role in
helping bring the past to life again.
Janet Fenton is the natural fit as the President of the
Friends of Melaleuca as the daughter of Melaleuca’s
well-known tin miner Deny King, considered the King of
the Wilderness.
The remote Melaleuca in Tasmania’s South West, which
can only be reached via foot, sea or boat, is renowned
for its world heritage area and also for its mining history.
It was a small mining settlement from the 1930s until
recently where high grade alluvial cassiterite (tin oxide)
was mined.
The volunteer group Friends of Melaleuca was formed in
2009, shortly after Melaleuca was permanently listed on
the Tasmanian Heritage Register. The area is important
for both its natural and cultural values. The site includes
the homestead and garden of the late Deny King.
Janet Fenton sorting treasures in the
red Engine-shed for planned heritage
mining trail at Melaleuca. (Photo Erika
Shankley). The daughters of Deny and
Margaret King, Janet and Mary, spent
a unique childhood growing up at
Melaleuca.
Janet Fenton said that one of their primary aims was
to demonstrate that a mining area can be successfully
rehabilitated and used for tourism and education.
The group aims to undertake practical work such
as maintenance of heritage buildings and other
infrastructure. At the moment their main projects are
a clean-up of the site, and weed control. They also
organise fundraising events to support their activities.
Friends of Melaleuca 2015 working bee team
26
The Melaleuca Heritage museum and mining
interpretation trail are being brought to fruition with the
help of the Tasmanian mining and minerals industry.
Bell Bay Aluminium, MMG Rosebery and Grange
Resources, for instance, have each donated $2,000
towards it.
The author of The Life of Deny King, Christobel
Mattingley, said that twice yearly King made the
precarious trip from Melaleuca to Hobart on his boat
to transport tin and return with supplies. In 1955 King
undertook the immense job of building an airstrip to
help lessen his family’s isolation.
“The museum will cover themes such as the progress
from hand to mechanical mining and issues around
living and working in a cold and wet remote area and
straddle mining history, science and conservation,”
Janet said.
“That unwitting agent of change, King made SouthWest Tasmania, until then only visited by fishermen
and bushwalkers, accessible to mining companies,
photographers, journalists, and sightseers. So he built
two commodious visitors’ huts,” Mattingley wrote.
The self-sufficient Deny King was more than a tin miner.
He was also a highly regarded bushman, naturalist and
artist. Melaleuca was his home from 1936 until his death
in 1991. In 1939 he gained a diploma in automobile
mechanics from the International Correspondence
School, Sydney, while working full time in isolated areas.
“Quietly spoken with a slow drawl, stocky, and
immensely strong, King was renowned for his
hospitality, humour, and willingness to tackle
challenges.”
In 1954, tin miner Deny King had a D2 Caterpillar dozer shipped to Melaleuca for use
in his small tin mine. In 1957, with financial support from the Mines Department, he
completed a gravel airstrip with the little D2. Deny King on his D2. - Note the sledge
made from a forked tree branch. (Photo Mark Creese) and Deny’s 1950s Caterpillar D2
maintenance guide. (Photo Janet Fenton).
27
The critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot which breeds only around Melaleuca,
has become a well known icon of the place in recent years. The Department of Primary
Industry, Water and Environment is running a program aiming to bring the pretty little
bird back from the brink. The fire frequency around Melaleuca due to past mining could
have suited the parrot. (Photo Geoff Fenton).
Deny King first instigated a recovery program for the parrot.
Deny King with a pump at the old engine shed at Melaleuca, circa 1947 (right) and a
volunteer removing rust and oiling the same pump in 2015. (Photos: King collection and
Janet Fenton).
28
The mining industry embraces shaved
heads for a good cause
TMEC CEO Wayne Bould and the Minister for Resources Paul Harriss
happily undergoing a full head shave.
What was it about a day in March 2015 that caused
members of the mining industry to eagerly have their
hair shaved off or their hair died vibrant colours?
“In the fun and competitive spirit of the event Minister
Harriss beat me in our fundraising attempts. Final score:
Minister $2,885 and myself: $2,143.”
It was getting behind the 2015 Leukaemia Foundation’s
Shave a Head Foundation event, which the industry did
in its typical gung ho style.
Meanwhile on the West coast, mine sites also got into
the essence of the competition.
Old hands of the Shave a Head event, MMG Rosebery
aka Murchison Mining, raised $9,458.
The Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council’s CEO,
Wayne Bould, took up the challenge and went shave for
shave with the Minister for Resources, Paul Harriss, on
Salamanca lawns in Hobart.
The 2015 Top Tassie team, Grange Resources’ Savage
Shavers, raised $11,626. Congratulations to the Team
Captain, Karen Ashley, for raising $2,000.
“I’m all for doing my bit to help raise awareness and
research money for leukaemia and other cancers,”
Wayne said.
29
Aaron Brannigan,
Linda Williams and Christina
Van Der Westhuizen – MMG Rosebery
General Manager, – MMG Rosebery
The Grange team
30
y
its weight in magnetite
Each year the mining and
minerals industry are involved
in extensive community
engagement. Many of these
events are not reported. The
article below provides such an
example.
“Students were escorted around the mine site
experiencing the working environments including
mobile maintenance workshop, geology, concentrator
operations and having a go on the training simulator
for haul truck, dozer and excavator which was a great
experience for all the students.”
TAPP is a program designed to assist students
wanting to pursue a career in a trade or vocational
education as well to engage students who are at risk
of disengagement from education due to social and or
domestic circumstances and or diverse learning needs.
In what has become an annual pilgrimage, some
35 Burnie High School students got a good dose of
the diversity of mining life following a visit to Grange
Resources’ Savage River.
TAPP teacher Steph Prendergast said that the Savage
River trip was considered an institution by TAPP
students.
It was Burnie High School’s fourth visit to Savage River
as part of The Trainee and Apprenticeship Pathway
Program (TAPP).
“Around 75 per cent of the students have advised over
the years that the Savage River excursion was their most
memorable experience of TAPP,” Steph said.
Savage River’s Senior Operations Manager Gilbert
Charles said the visit by students on 24 March 2015 was
another great success and a mutual enjoyment and
benefit for students and Savage River staff.
“Our young people who have a desire to become
anything from Diesel Mechanics to Emergency Response
Personnel can appreciate the magnitude of the
operation, the dedication and expertise of staff and
how important it is to apply themselves to learning as a
lifelong endeavour – not just something you wait to do
until you leave school.
“Student were provided with a detailed insight into the
mine and concentrator operations and importantly
talking with our people who make the mine operate
safely, efficiently and productive,” Gilbert said.
31
its weight in magnetite
“They learn more about the importance of Work, Health
and Safety and following rules and protocols in their one
day at Savage River than we are able to describe in the
confines of the classroom. These students learn from
the staff that you can start in the mining industry at any
level from TA, Trades or with University qualifications
or a combination of all of these throughout a career in
mining.
their chosen trade (including hospitality, hairdressing,
metal fabrication, mechanics - auto/diesel, IT, business
administration, body works - motor, child care, disability
services and community services) as well as one day
per week work placement with a local business and
TAPP OPTIONS students attend school four days per
week and work placement 1 day in order to study their
options subjects (Maths Extended, Wood Work, Metal
Work, Art, etc.).
“They learn how mining contributes to the economy
not just on a local but a national and global scale. They
learn about environmental responsibility and how
Grange acts as a steward in terms of biodiversity and the
rights for plant and animal species to exist.”
TAPP evolved from a Boys Only program run in 2006 by
two innovative male staff members, Mathew Smart and
Jeremy Norton, to a male and female program currently
coordinated and taught by Alan Frankcombe and Steph
Prendergast.
More information on TAPP
TAPP students have to apply in writing and attend an
interview and state their clear intention of what trade
they wish to pursue, why they will attend school every
day and understand that it is a work place therefore
sickness and safety protocols are to be followed.
The selected students are divided into two groups
- TAPP TAFE and TAPP Options. All students attend
school full time during Term One and during subsequent
terms the TAPP TAFE students attend TAFE classes
that cover units of competence at Certificate I level for
32
2014-15 Financials
33
A full version of the Financial Report has been distributed to directors and is available from the Secretariat.
This extract from the annual financial statements should be read in conjunction with the full version of the report.
34
A full version of the Financial Report has been distributed to directors and is available from the Secretariat.
This extract from the annual financial statements should be read in conjunction with the full version of the report.
35
Crowe Horwath Tasmania is a member of Crowe Horwath International, a Swiss verein.
Each member firm of Crowe Horwath is a separate independent legal entity.
36
Crowe Horwath Tasmania is a member of Crowe Horwath International, a Swiss verein.
Each member firm of Crowe Horwath is a separate independent legal entity.
37
Board of Directors
President
Ray Mostogl
Vice President
Ben Maynard
- Bell Bay Aluminium
- Grange Resources
As General Manager
Operations for Bell Bay
Aluminium (BBA), Ray
Mostogl is the leader of the
190,000 tonne smelter’s
operations in Tasmania with accountability for BBA’s 430
direct employees, technology and cash position. Ray
has been BBA’s General Manager since 2011 and has led
the smelter through what has been a turbulent time for
manufacturing in Tasmania and Australia.
Ben is the General Manager
of Operations at Grange
Resources. He joined
Grange in 2009 having worked with the Savage River
mine for over 15 years. His extensive experience with
the operation covers professional expertise and
management responsibilities in geology, information
technology, business improvement and technical
services. In his current role of General Manager
Operations, Ben leads operational teams to develop
business plans and deliver production. Ben holds
a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of
Tasmania, a Graduate Diploma in Computing and
graduated the Tasmanian Leaders Program in 2012. Ben
is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute
of Company Directors.
Prior to joining Rio Tinto, Ray spent 15 years at BHP’s
Newcastle operations, culminating in a Site Manager
role during a blast furnace reline.
With over 20 years’ experience in leadership and
management roles in the metals industry with Rio
Tinto and Rio Tinto Alcan in Australasia, Ray’s other
key achievements include the development and
deployment of robust maintenance systems, enabling
predictable and capable operational performance. A
number of these improvements have been captured as
Rio Tinto Group Asset Management best practices.
CEO
Wayne Bould
Ray holds an Advanced Diploma Mechanical Engineer
(Newcastle 1983) and is a Graduate of the Australian
Institute of Company Directors.
- TMEC
In addition to his role as
CEO of the Tasmanian
Minerals and Energy Council,
Wayne is also Executive Chairman and Trustee of the
Bonney Group of companies. He also serves as a
current business member of the Joint Commonwealth
Tasmanian Economic Council which is jointly chaired by
leading Tasmanian businessman Mr Dale Elphinstone
and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Vice President
Aaron Brannigan
- MMG Rosebery
Aaron is the General
Manager - MMG Rosebery.
He has over 20 years’
experience in mining
operations across South
Africa, Canada and Australia. Aaron previously was Mine
Manager - MMG Rosebery, Mine Manager - Gwalia for St
Barbara Limited in Western Australia and Underground
Production Superintendent/ Underground Manager
for Barrick Gold Corporation in W.A. Aaron has a
degree in Metalliferous Mining from the University of
Johannesburg and he is currently studying a Masters of
Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University
of Melbourne’s Business School. Aaron also holds
a First Class Metalliferous Mine Managers Certificate
of Competency (Queensland), Metalliferous Mine
Managers Certificate of Competency (South Africa) and
is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy.
Wayne has over 40 years’ practical and managerial
experience in the petroleum, forestry and mining
sectors. He began his career with Golden Fleece
Petroleum in Hobart in 1969 and partnered with
Shell Australia in developing and operating Shell’s
downstream distribution business models. Wayne
owned and operated a niche management consulting
business which provided hands on specialist assistance
to a variety of businesses in a wide range of sectors
across Australia. Wayne entered the mining and mineral processing
industry when he joined Newmont Australia in 2004,
performing various roles before being appointed as
Newmont Mining Corporation’s Global Director Business
Excellence in 2008. Wayne was Chief Operating Officer of
Grange Resources Limited from 2009 until 2013, and was
Managing Director from 2013 until 2014.
38
Board of Directors
Kim Denwer
Cassie Arnold
- MMG Rosebery
- Bell Bay Aluminium
Kim has 29 years’ experience
as exploration geologist
in Tasmania, most states
of Australia, Papua New
Guinea and Thailand. He
has experience with a variety
of commodities and mineralisation styles in a range
of countries and environments. Kim is a Tasmanian
geologist and has explored in and around many of the
West Coast Tasmanian mines. Kim holds a Bachelor of
Science (Honors), Master of Economic Geology from the
University of Tasmania and is a Fellow of the Australian
Institute of Geologists.
Cassie Arnold is the Manager
Commercial Services at
Bell Bay Aluminium. She
has 19 years’ experience
in the mining industry and she has worked at various
mines around Australia. Her background is open cut
Metalliferous (gold, copper and iron ore), limestone
and underground and open cut black coal. Cassie has
worked in green fields exploration through to mine
closure and rehabilitation. She has held both senior
operational roles including Mine Manager and a variety
of statutory positions in both Tasmania and Western
Australia. Throughout her career, Cassie has also
been involved in business improvement and strategic
planning. Cassie holds a Bachelor of Engineering in
Geological Engineering from Royal Melbourne Institute
of Technology (1996) and a Graduate Diploma in Coal
Mine Strata Control, University of New South Wales
2011.
Malcolm
Hillbeck
- Venture Minerals
Malcolm is a Mining
Engineer with 55 years’
experience at operations,
senior management and
corporate levels in the
mining industry. He has an extensive background in
the management of underground and open cut mining
operations as well as the planning and development
of mining activities, corporate negotiations, project
evaluation and acquisition. Malcolm has worked
at, developed and operated mines in Europe, North
America, Africa and Australia. His career includes
working in Tasmania for 20 years at several major
mining operations with significant roles at Savage River,
Cleveland, Que River, Hellyer and Rosebery together
with EBR railway. Malcolm holds Bachelor of Science in
Mining (Honours), is a member of the Australian Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy, a Member of the Institution
of Materials Mining and Metallurgy (London), holds a
Metalliferous Mine Managers Certificate of Competency
(South Africa) and a Metalliferous Mine Managers
Certificate of Competency (Tasmania).
Richard Curtis
- Nyrstar Hobart
Richard is currently the
Plant Manager and a
Director of Nyrstar Hobart
Pty Ltd.
Richard has 30 years of experience spanning functional
and leadership roles in site operations, production,
asset management, maintenance, engineering, and
manufacturing in the smelting, mining, minerals
processing and manufacturing sectors. Richard holds a Bachelor of Engineering – Mech.
(Honors) from Swinburne University of Technology.
39
Board of Directors
Scott Jones
John Stanton
- Unity Mining Ltd’s
Henty Gold Mine
- Atlas Copco
John is in his 39th year
working for Atlas Copco
Construction and Mining. He has worked in his
current position as Regional
Manager Vic/ Tasmaniafor over 25 years. John is a member of Australian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy the Mineral Institute
Tasmanian Branch and President of the Institute of
Quarrying Australia.
Scott is a mining engineer
who graduated from
Queensland University
in 1986. He has 28 years’
experience in the mining
industry and has worked in Underground and Open Pit
Base Metal, Gold and Iron Ore Mines. He has worked
for Mount Isa Mines, Hamersley Iron, Great Central
Mines, Newcrest Mining, Kimberley Metals Group and is
currently with Unity Mining as General Manager of the
Henty Gold Mine on the West coast of Tasmania. Rod Tidey
While at Newcrest, Scott was General Manager Safety
and Health for eight years and is passionate about
improving the safety performance of the mining industry
through the elimination of fatalities. He has completed
studies in Risk Management, Business Administration,
Ethics and is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow.
– South 32 - Temco
Rod has a career spanning
26 years in the Manganese
Industry. He started at BHP
TEMCO in 1989 working
across various supply
and finance roles. In 2001 he commenced as Manager
Commercial TEMCO with responsibility for finance,
supply and IT. In 2004 he was appointed Australian
Manganese Finance Manager with responsibility across
GEMCO Manganese mine on Groote Eylandt and
TEMCO and a specific focus on royalty and company
reorganisation and risk management.
John Lamb
Queensland.
John previously was the
CEO Bonney Group Logistics
Solutions, Chief Executive
of Shaw Contracting, former
General Manager at MMG
Rosebery mine in Tasmania
and the Century mine in
In 2006 he moved to Business Improvement Manager
at TEMCO overseeing operational improvements and
conducting energy contract negotiations. Rod became
Productivity Manager for BHP Billiton’s Manganese
Australia Assets in December 2013 and most recently
acting General Manager TEMCO from June 2014.
His career of 26 years includes senior mining roles in
Tasmania, WA and Queensland (both underground
and open pit) in gold and base metals as well as civil
construction; and he has held various directorships
since 1991. John is a Graduate of the Australian Institute
of Company Directors, Chartered Professional Member
of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and
holds degrees in business, IT and surveying.
Rod will again take responsibility for both GEMCO and
TEMCO commercial operations as these company’s
transition to ownership under the newly listed South 32.
Rod has a Bachelor in Business (UTAS), is a CPA
and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company
Directors.
40
Board of Directors
Jared DeRoss
Mark Wright
– Copper Mines of
Tasmania
– Cement Australia
Jared is the Site and
Projects Manager for Copper
Mines of Tasmania, Vedanta
Resource’s Australian
operation at Mt Lyell.
Mark is the Operations
Manager for Cement
Australia Railton and
Cornwall Coal operations. He has 25 years in Mining and
Processing operations, including 10 years’ experience
in management roles for maintenance and operations.
Mark holds an Associate Degree Electrical Engineering
from the University of Southern Queensland.
Jared has over 15 years of experience in mining base
metals and bulk commodities across Australia and
internationally. During his career he has been involved
with open cut and underground mines, including mining
related construction projects, and has held senior roles
with both the mine owner and the mine contractor.
While at CMT Jared has held positions of Mining
Engineer, Technical Services Superintendent and Mining
Manager prior to his August 2014 appointment as Site
and Projects Manager.
Jared holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) from
Queensland University of Technology, a Diploma in
Management, a Graduate Certificate in Engineering
Science and is continuing with study toward a Master of
Engineering Science with Curtin University. Jared is a
member of Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2014/15 Tasmanian Minerals & Energy
Council’s Members
The Council’s members include exploration, mining and
mineral processing and energy intensive manufacturing
sectors, along with companies and individuals in the
associated supply chains.
promotional events co-ordinated by the Council. There
is also the opportunity for members to seek industry
advice from the Council.
Membership is open to individuals and organisations.
Applications are submitted to the Tasmanian Minerals
and Energy Council Board for consideration.
TMEC represents the views of the industry on a range
of issues to Government – State and Federal and the
public.
The membership benefits include access, discounts and
sponsorship opportunities to all the main industry and
41
2014/15 Tasmanian Minerals & Energy
Council’s Members
Alpha Electrics
www.alphaelectrics.com.au
Atlas Copco Australia Pty Ltd
www.atlascopco.com.au
Bell Bay Aluminium
www.bellbayaluminium.com.au
Bluestone Mines Tasmania JV
Pty Ltd
www.Metalsx.com.au
Caterpillar Underground Mining
www.cat.com/home
Cement Australia Group
www.cementaustralia.com.au
Cominex
Copper Mines of Tasmania
Pty Ltd
www.cmt.com.au
Cornwall Coal Company Pty Ltd
www.cementaustralia.com.au
Cromarty
www.cromarty.com.au
De Bruyn’s Transport
www.dbtrans.com.au
Doug Hagen (Hagen Oil)
Edrill Pty Ltd
www.edrill.net.au
Elementos Pty Ltd
www.elementos.com.au
EMAC Systembuilt
www.emacmodular.com.au
Finlease Tas Pty Ltd
www.finlease.com.au
Gerathy & Madison
Communication
www.gerathyandmadison.com.au
GHD Pty Ltd
www.ghd.com/australia
Global Resource Solutions
Australia
Goanna Energy Consulting
Pty Ltd
www.goannaenergy.com.au
Gradco Pty Ltd
www.gradco.com.au
Grange Resources Limited
www.grangeresources.com.au
Injury Prevention and
Management
www.ipmsafety.com.au
Irrigation Tasmania
www.irrigationtas.com.au
Jacobs Group Australia
www.jacobs.com
John Miedecke
KC Morrison Pty Ltd
South 32 TEMCO
www.south32.net
Stellar Resources Limited
www.stellarresources.com.au
Strata Products
www.strataworldwide.com/
australia
Tamar Gold Ltd
www.tamargold.com.au
King Island Scheelite Limited
www.kingislandscheelite.com.au
Tasmanian Advanced Minerals
Pty Ltd
www.tasam.com.au
Lloyds North Pty Ltd
www.lloydsnorth.com.au
Tasmania Magnesite NL
Mancala Pty Ltd
www.mancala.com.au
Maydena Sands Pty Ltd
www.maydenasands.com.au
MMG Minerals & Metals Group
Rosebery
www.mmg.com
Net Sea Freight Tasmania Pty Ltd
Norske Skog
www.norskeskog.com
Nyrstar Hobart Pty Ltd
www.nyrstarhobart.com
Oil, Mining & Infotechnology
(OMI) Pty Ltd
Tasmanian Rigging Supplies
www.tasrigging.com.au
TasTAFE
www.tastafe.edu.au
TasRail
www.tasrail.com.au
TasPorts
www.tasports.com.au
TNT Mines Limited
www.tntmines.com.au
Total Instrument Controls Pty Ltd
www.totalinstrumentcontrols.com
Transtegic Pty Ltd
www.transtegic.com
Pitt & Sherry
www.pittsh.com.au
Unity Mining Limited – Henty
Gold Mine
www.unitymining.com.au/
activities/henty
Raygill Quarry & Mining Supplies
www.raygill.com.au
Veolia Mining
www.veolia.com.au
Rescycle Pty Ltd
Venture Minerals Ltd
www.ventureminerals.com.au
PBE Australia II Pty Ltd
Russell Fulton Pty Ltd
Ron Gregory Prospecting
SEMF Pty Ltd
www.semf.com.au
Shaw Contracting Pty Ltd
www.shawcontracting.com.au
Shree Minerals Ltd
www.shreeminerals.com
Simplot Australia Pty Ltd
www.simplot.com.au
42
William Adams Pty Ltd
www.williamadams.com.au
Life Members
Mr Bob Calvert
Mr Roger Martin
Mr Harry Stacpoole
Mr Matt Daly
Honorary Members
Mr Ron Bugg
Mrs Barbara Wilson – Rallinga
Mining
Mr Terry Long

the Report

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