Mine to Market - May/June 2008

minetomarket
ISSUE 86 : MAY/JUNE 2008
EPA inspection at port operation
Xstrata welcomes new environmental legislation
Fresh water for Cloncurry students
Queensland Health releases ‘get bled for lead’ report
2 : mine to market
WELCOME
This month, the Queensland Government passed legislative changes to move nine
Queensland mines, including Mount Isa Mines, from their Special Agreement Acts
to contemporary legislation. Xstrata welcomes this regulatory change affecting our
mining and processing operations which aligns with our objectives of sustainable
development and continuous environmental improvement. For more information
please refer to page four.
A working partnership established in May between Ernest Henry Mining and the
Cloncurry Shire Council, saw a wonderful new initiative implemented in the town
of Cloncurry. Currently faced with tough water restrictions, Cloncurry students now
have access to fresh drinking water. Read more about this project in the adjacent
story on page three.
The much anticipated Queensland Health Get Bled for Lead report and
recommendations were publicly released on Thursday 22 May in Mount Isa.
The Living with Lead Alliance hosted the public forum attended by residents who
were eager to learn more about the report’s findings. More on this story can be
found on page four. Going forward, we reinforce that Xstrata remains committed
to ensuring the ongoing health and safety of the communities in which we
operate. This is our highest priority.
Steve de Kruijff
Also this month, work started on Stage 2 of the Leichhardt River Remediation
Project to remove historical mine sediments, from old mining practices in the
1940s and 50s, that have been exposed over time as a result of natural erosion
within the river system. This project is part of Mount Isa Mines’ Whole of Emissions
Study. For more details on this project please refer to the story on page five.
We congratulate our volunteers and the Community Relations Department who
played a major role in Xstrata receiving the ‘Most interactive display’ Award at last
month’s Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo. This was a great effort by all involved.
Next month, we look forward to providing readers with an update on major
initiatives and projects at our Townsville copper refinery, port operation and
Bowen Coke Works.
Finally, we would like to thank you for your continuing support for Xstrata as we
work together with our Living with Lead Alliance partners in Mount Isa to further
educate the community about living safely with lead, and to defend the city’s
reputation as a great place to live and work.
STEVE DE KRUIJFF
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Xstrata Copper North Queensland
Kevin Hendry
KEVIN HENDRY
EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER
Xstrata Zinc Mount Isa
10%
4,300
8%
4,200
Price (p)
2%
4,000
0%
3,900
–2%
3,800
–5%
3,700
–8%
3,600
–10%
3,500
–12%
Xstrata PLC
20
15
10
5
Mar-2008
Apr-2008
May-2008
Date
Percentage
5%
4,100
Volume (m)
Xstrata is listed on the London and Zurich
stock exchanges. As at 28 May 2008 the
Xstrata share price on the London Stock
Exchange (XTA.L) was 40.09 (GBp).
XSTRATA STOCK PRICE
Input from all Xstrata North Queensland operations
is invited. Any articles, innovations, achievements,
ideas or suggestions are very welcome. Please contact
Catherine Peters, Community Relations, Mount Isa Mines
on email: [email protected]
or phone: 4744 3140.
CONTACT THE EDITOR
Kylie Power, Administration Assistant,
Bowen Coke Works
FRONT COVER
12%
4,400
ISSUE 86 : 3
Fresh water for Cloncurry students
Enjoying the fresh drinking water (front, left to right) Kiel Pickett, Jada Fickling and Nicholas Daniels
(back) John Twomey – EHM Concentrator Manager and Gary Hall – St Joseph’s Principal.
Students at Cloncurry State School and St Joseph’s Catholic
School had access to fresh drinking water in late May and are
now drinking freely from the schools’ designated water taps
thanks to a little help from their neighbour, Ernest Henry Mining.
The innovative partnership between Xstrata Copper’s Ernest
Henry Mining (EHM) and the Cloncurry Shire Council is delivering
fresh drinking water to the schools on a temporary basis until a
more permanent solution is reached on water in Cloncurry.
The first delivery which accommodated drinking water for 470
students and teachers at Cloncurry State School took place on
Wednesday 21 May. About 12,000 litres of water has been
decanted and supplied to the schools in the first two weeks of
the partnership. Council’s 4,000 litre potable water tank and
truck makes the round trip of approximately 65 kilometres to
collect the drinking water from EHM’s water treatment plant
and deliver it to the schools as required.
John Twomey, EHM Concentrator Manager, said the company
had made a commitment to Cloncurry’s Mayor to implement a
joint water initiative, in partnership, that would be offered to
Cloncurry’s local schools to ensure all students had access to
safe drinking water.
“Our General Manager, Mike Westerman, was approached by
Cr Andrew Daniels about this project in April and we agreed
that it was an innovative initiative that could easily be delivered
in partnership with Council,” said John.
“We are happy to continue this service to the schools, however
recognise the initiative is a temporary measure only,” he said.
Mayor Daniels and State Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan,
MP were very pleased to see a positive result to a situation
which has been ongoing for many years.
“I’m fair dinkum about sorting out the problem of water supply
in Cloncurry and recognise the key to getting results is through
a partnership approach with all stakeholders. This includes the
mines, State and Federal Government and other business,”
said Cr Daniels.
“It’s good to see there is commitment from Ernest Henry
Mining to solve some immediate problems, however, we need
to continue to work together as a community to find a
sustainable outcome,” he said.
“The State Government is committed to the sustainable
development of secure drinking water supplies to Cloncurry.
This temporary measure from EHM working in partnership with
the Cloncurry Council and local schools is to be applauded,”
said Mrs Kiernan.
Cloncurry residents have to boil their water for two minutes to
make it safe for drinking. This is due to the town’s water supply
currently being supplemented by untreated bore water
4 : mine to market
New environmental legislation
for nine Queensland mines
In April, The Honourable Andrew MacNamara, MP – Minister for
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation tabled a new bill in
Queensland Parliament to transition nine Queensland mines,
including Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, from their special agreement
acts to the Environmental Protection Act. This bill was passed in
Parliament on Thursday 15 May.
From the outset, Mount Isa Mines has supported the legislative
changes initiated over 12 months ago by the Queensland
Government’s Kelliher Review, and has been working with the
Queensland Government to ensure an efficient transition while at
the same time ensuring the ongoing viability of its operations in
Mount Isa.
Ed Turley, Environment Manager, said that the three year transition
period contained in the legislation is well aligned with studies
underway to reduce emissions from Mount Isa Mines’ operations.
“Emissions monitoring, control, and impact reduction strategies are
major components of environmental management at our operations.
“Our strategic objective is to be recognised as leaders in
environmental performance and we are committed to the highest
standard of environmental management and continual
improvement.
“The Government’s environmental legislative changes represent
the next stage in the growth and development of our Mount Isa
operations.
“We have made significant progress in our environmental
performance in Mount Isa since 2000. Following the construction
and commissioning of an acid plant to capture sulphur dioxide
emissions from the Mount Isa copper smelter in 2001, Xstrata
Copper has targeted a further increase from approximately 80% to
95% capture and treatment from the copper smelter against the
baseline established in 2000; while Xstrata Zinc has targeted a
capture and treatment rate of 98% from the lead smelter,” he said.
In July 2007, Mount Isa Mines established a site-wide Smelter
Emissions Project Team. The team’s objective is to achieve the
next step change in sulphur dioxide capture and treatment from
the copper and lead smelters. Potential designs are being
developed through a consultative process with stakeholders and,
where feasible, these controls will be implemented during the
next five years.
The Smelter Emissions Project will build on capture, treatment and
process control improvements that have already been implemented
in the copper and lead smelters. These improvements consist of
both engineered and administrative controls.
Xstrata will continue to work with the Department of Mines and
Energy (DME) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the
practical changes to Mount Isa Mines’ environmental regulation.
“We believe that superior environmental management results in
increased efficiency, lower risk and higher overall performance of
our operations, and is critical in maintaining our social licence to
operate,” said Ed
The greenbelt provides a buffer between
our operations and the community.
Background
In September 2007 the administration of environmental
aspects of the Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Act
1985, which forms the main basis for regulation of our
operations was transferred by the Queensland Government
from the DME to the EPA.
At this time, discussions between Xstrata Mount Isa Mines
and regulatory authorities also commenced to plan a
process to transition environmental regulation from the
Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Act 1985 to
contemporary legislation.
A transition period has been put in place for our
operations to apply for a new environmental authority
that will set out revised environmental performance criteria
for the remainder of our planned operations decades into
the future.
Xstrata supports this regulatory change which aligns with
our objectives of sustainable development and continuous
environmental improvement.
ISSUE 86 : 5
Leichhardt River Remediation Project Update –
Commencement of Stage 2 works
Further to works carried out in October 2007, the below
information is an update regarding the status of the Leichhardt
River Remediation Project being undertaken by Xstrata Mount Isa
Mines.
Jono Sanders – Graduate Environmental
Advisor, surveys the work that has started
in the dry bed of the Leichhardt River.
Stage 1 work
As part of Xstrata’s Whole of Emissions Study being undertaken
by the University of Queensland’s Centre for Mined Land
Rehabilitation, and led by world renowned toxicologist Associate
Professor Barry Noller, we started work on the Leichhardt River
Remediation Project in September 2007.
The purpose of this project was to identify and remove historical
mine sediments from the Leichhardt River which have been
exposed over time as a result of natural erosion within the river
system. Although the best practice techniques have identified the
potential risk of these sediments to human health to be minimal,
these sediment materials still need to be recovered.
Stage 1 works involved the use of heavy mobile equipment to dig
holes and obtain soil samples at various locations between the Isa
Street Bridge in the south and Alma Street Crossing in the north.
Xstrata completed Stage 1 works on time and to schedule and
152 samples were taken and analysed.
Stage 2 work
Stage 2 of the project will ensure we recover this additional mine
sediment, and help us to ensure we remove any potential risk to
the local community in relation to its heavy metal content. The
work covers a longer stretch of the Leichhardt River from Isa Street
Bridge in the south to the Rugby Park in the north.
To ensure the safety of our workers, residents living in the
immediate vicinity of the project, and members of the broader
community, Xstrata personnel are supervising this project at all
times. We are also employing the services of a security firm for the
duration of the works.
Stage 2 works started on Monday 12 May and will run for
approximately five weeks, with work scheduled to be completed by
mid June. Initially, Stage 2 works were scheduled to start work in
mid October 2007, however the works were delayed to allow the
wet season to pass.
Work involves heavy mobile equipment such as backhoes,
excavators, dozers, front end loaders and six wheel drive articulated
‘lizard’ trucks to move, load and haul mine historical sediment from
the Leichhardt River via a pre-approved route to Mount Isa Mines’
mining lease at Gardenia Gate.
Road and footpath closures
To ensure traffic hazards and any potential risk to the Mount Isa
community is minimised, and to enable the movement of heavy
mobile equipment to occur safely, the following roads are closed
for the duration of the project:
Kentia Street, and
Alma Street (the western section from the river crossing to the
Urquhart Street intersection)
The footpath that runs through the Leichhardt River bed from Mary
and Constance Streets to the Alma Street crossing will be diverted
along West Street for the duration of the project.
Access to Mount Isa Rugby Club, the Music Shack and the Arts
associations located at Alma Street crossing will be via West Street
Dust and Noise Minimisation
Noise and dust monitors are installed in the vicinity of the
work to measure potential affects of noise and dust on the
community. These are being checked by our Environment
Department on a regular basis.
Water trucks are being used to help minimise dust (using
fresh water obtained from the mine site).
Water trucks are wetting down all sediments during the
removal as well as all roads/routes used by our heavy vehicles.
A road sweeper is also being used to sweep and clean the
roads where all heavy vehicles travel on a daily basis.
For more information
If you have any questions about this project, please call our
Community Information Line 1800 336 297.
6 : mine to market
Queensland Health releases
Get Bled for Lead Report
More than 200 Mount Isa residents
packed the Spinifex State College
Auditorium (Junior Campus) on Thursday
22 May, including more than 30 local
and national media representatives, to
hear the results of Queensland Health’s
Get Bled for Lead report.
Hosted by the Living with Lead Alliance,
attendees at the forum heard
presentations from clinical toxicologist
and medical expert, Dr Mark Little, about
the health affects of lead on the body,
Queensland Health’s Dr Linda Selvey and
John Piispanen regarding the report, and
Chair of the Alliance, Mrs Betty Kiernan,
who outlined the Alliance’s five point
action plan.
The report found that 45 (11.3%) of the
total sample of 400 children aged one to
four had an elevated blood lead level greater than the World Health
Organisation’s recommendations of
10 micrograms per decilitre. The results
also showed two children had a blood
lead level greater than 20 micrograms per
decilitre with the highest level reading 31.5.
Eleven of the 45 children identified have
since had their lead levels drop
to below the recommended level of
10 micrograms per decilitre.
The Queensland Health report can be
found on www.health.qld.gov.au.
An outline of the Alliance’s action
plan will be provided in June’s issue
of Mine to Market.
Some Report Findings
The average level for children in the
Get Bled for Lead screening program
was 5 micrograms per decilitre, the
lowest was 1.3, and the highest
was 31.5.
Children with elevated blood levels
showed factors such as chewing,
sucking or eating non-food items and
pet ownership which were common in
this group.
No evidence showed any particular
part of Mount Isa had higher lead
levels than others.
Inadequate intake of calcium and iron
is a known factor contributing to
elevated blood lead levels.
Recommendations
Future, continued monitoring of all
routinely collected blood lead tests
by Queensland Health.
Active health assistance for all children
with elevated blood lead levels.
Further, continued development of
comprehensive dust control measures.
Continued community education
focused on living safely with lead.
Follow up blood lead level study
in 2012.
Queensland Health has been assisting
lead affected families by providing:
F amily dietary consultation.
Home audits to help reduce child
exposure to soil, dust and/or paint.
Further blood testing to monitor
blood lead level reduction.
Encouraging the uptake of free follow
up blood testing, which is available
through Queensland Medical
Laboratory Pathology Services.
Continued, extensive community
education about ‘Living Safely
With Lead’
Clinical toxicologist, Dr Mark Little, explains the health
affects of lead on the body to the forum audience.
ISSUE 86 : 7
Xstrata Copper commissions
sulphur dioxide emissions analyser
Xstrata Copper recently acquired an Opsis DOAS AR600 analyser to
measure sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentrations in the Convertor Off Gas
(COG) and Isasmelt (ICP) ducts located at the Mount Isa copper smelter.
Left to right: Bob Engwicht, Roux Meyer, Mark Ezzy, Owen Burgess –
Ecotech-Opsis, Paul Telford, Chris Handley, Bernard van Zyl –
Ecotech-Opsis, Dave Whitehead and Des Krieger.
The analyser measures gas concentrations by Differential Optical
Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS). A light beam from a Xenon lamp
is projected to a receiver through the emission gases, contained in
a duct or stack, and the light captured in the receiver is then passed
to the Opsis analyser through an optic fibre cable. Specific gases
will absorb light at known wavelengths of the spectrum in the
light path, as every gas molecule has its own unique absorption
fingerprint. This allows the analyser’s computer to measure gases
(as a function of light absorption) through a spectrometer and
to log results.
The gas monitoring system was sourced from Swedish company
Opsis SE and commissioned in April 2008 by Ecotech Pty Ltd.
The major benefits of this system are speed, reliability, and
multi-gas analytical capability.
Gas detection and measurement is a software task, making use of
a centralised, high-quality spectrometer under computer control.
This not only allows simultaneous analysis of several gases, with
automatic validation and logging of data, but with the addition of
a multiplexer (multi-source sampling system) the analysis of multiple
gas streams can be performed by the same analyser.
The Opsis DOAS analyser’s biggest advantage is its low
maintenance requirement. It has a non contact monitoring system
whereby only a light beam comes in contact with the corrosive gas
sample. This is a significant advantage over extractive monitoring
systems that ‘inhale’ the process gas stream for analysis.
The data generated from the newly installed analyser will provide
more accurate SO2 measurements to the operation as well as to
the Air Quality Control Centre. This data will be included in the
new air quality database that will assist Mount Isa Mines to
make more informed decisions, minimising the impact of
emissions on the community and optimising the operational controls.
Future expansions to this system will be further investigated
Come along to this year’s Mount Isa Water 2008 Isa Show one of the largest regional shows in Queensland.
When:
20 & 21 June 2008
Where:
Buchanan Park Events Complex
Cnr George & Sutton Street, Mount Isa QLD
To find out more, contact Mount Isa Show Secretary, Gary Osman,
on 0409 877 156, 07 4749 2341 or email [email protected]
THE ISA SHOW IT’S A WHOLE LOT OF FUN!
8 : mine to market
EPA inspection at Port Operation
Xstrata’s Townsville port operation
underwent an annual compliance
inspection conducted by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
on 26 March 2008.
Such inspections are conducted annually
to ensure compliance with Environmental
Licence conditions. This particular visit
however was also conducted as part of
an Industrial Estate Area Compliance
Inspection Program which has been
developed by the EPA. The program
is a proactive system for measuring
Left to right: Paul Taylor – Xstrata Copper,
Jane Makowski – EPA, Bob Griffin – Townsville environmental compliance during the
port operation, and David Drew – EPA.
operational stage of environmentally
relevant activities.
The EPA visit included a review of
environmental records and documents as
well as a walk through the site, viewing
the train tippler, service workshop, the
concentrate storage sheds and the ship
loading facilities.
We are proud to report that no
non-compliances were raised at the
inspection.
Thank you to Kelly Malone for your
contribution
Employee profiles
Hayden McCurley
Maintenance Planner,
Copper Refinery
Michael Faburada Jr.
Boilermaker,
George Fisher Mine
Jason Cluff
Boilermaker,
EHM
Kim Head
Mine Geologist,
MICO
Birthplace: Mount Isa.
Birthplace: Mount Isa.
Birthplace: Townsville, Wagga.
Birthplace: Townsville.
Years with Xstrata: 30+.
Years with Xstrata: 4.
Years with Xstrata: 4.5 years
Years with Xstrata: 2.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Preparing a list of work to be
scheduled for completion. Assisting
maintenance supervisors with the
goal of reducing breakdowns and
improving reliability of equipment
in the plant.
My role at Xstrata involves:
General underground
maintenance and boilermaker
duties.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Maintaining the Concentrator.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Geological interpretation, production
inspections and working with
planning engineers to maximise
copper extraction.
Strengths: Honesty.
Weaknesses: Time management.
Family: Wife Christine and two
grown-up children.
Favourite TV show/movie:
CSI and Zulu.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Too many to list.
Five celebrities I would like to
invite to dinner: Sean Connery,
Michael Caine, Billy Connolly,
Ita Buttrose and Judi Dench.
If I could change something,
it would it be: The amount of
intolerance in the world.
Wish for the future: For all
Australian troops to return safely
from overseas postings.
Strengths: Quick learner.
Weaknesses: I try to work on
them so they can become
strengths.
Family: Mother, one sister and
one brother.
Favourite TV show/movie:
American Gangsta.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Amsterdam.
Five celebrities I would like to
invite to dinner: Muhammad Ali
and Kostya Tzu, there’s no need
for five, just the two would be
fine.
Strengths: I am a team
player and don’t mind a bit
of hard work.
Weaknesses: Friends and
social gatherings.
Family: Single; older brother and
younger sister.
Favourite TV show/movie:
Underbelly, House.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Anywhere away
from work.
Five celebrities you would like
to invite to dinner: Emily Scott,
Jesse Jane, Tegean Presley,
Jessica Alba, and Megan Fox.
If I could change something it
would be: Nothing.
If I could change something it
would be: Take taxes off fuel
and alcohol.
Wish for the future: To build
planes.
Wish for the future: To meet
my five favourite celebrities…
Strengths: Honesty.
Weaknesses: Chocolate.
Family: Just me in the Isa.
Favourite TV show/movie:
The White Masai.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Africa.
Five celebrities you would like to
invite to dinner: Julia Roberts,
Brad Pitt, Julia Stiles, Justine Henin,
Kevin Connelly.
If I could change something it
would be: Nothing.
Wish for the future: To travel
the world.
ISSUE 86 : 9
Krause Health and Safety
to launch new Generic Induction
The Mining Industry Skills Centre Metalliferous Generic
Induction packages (Surface and Underground) have been
reviewed and a roll out of the new Surface package will
commence in June. These packages are mapped to the National
Competency Standards. The official Generic Induction launch
is scheduled for Thursday, 26 June 2008 at the Krause Health
& Safety Training Centre on Miles Street in Mount Isa.
The previous one day Surface Induction has been replaced
with a one and a half day induction which includes the
following transportable competencies:
Day 1 (Core)
Prepare to Work in a Mining or Industrial Environment
Prepare to Work in a Metalliferous Mining Environment
or Mining Quarry
Conduct Local Risk Assessment
Day 2 (Elective)
Apply Basic Fire Fighting
Perform Initial Response First Aid
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines requires all the core units of competency
to be completed prior to gaining access to site. The elective units
of competence should be completed if they are not held by the
employee. If the employee can provide evidence of a current
Senior First Aid, CPR and Fire Fighting qualification prior to the
induction, the half day session will not be required.
If you have any questions relating to the new Generic Induction
packages, please call the Krause Health & Safety office on
4743 3504 or Tamara Ball on 4744 8712
Tracking cathode
While it won’t help you find a needle in a
haystack, the new product tracking
system currently being designed for CRL
by VRT Systems will enable us to keep
track of cathode bundles all the way
from product despatch to our end
customers and all points in between.
The new system, which will build upon
and complement the existing PWLD
systems, is in the initial stages of
development and when fully
implemented will provide product
tracking across the entire supply chain.
Tracking is of paramount importance,
given the high value of our product.
Beyond product security and data
integrity, this new system will also
provide increased flexibility and vastly
enhance our ability to better administer
orders to serve our customers’ needs.
On the ground, this new system will see
the use of small handheld computers,
wireless technology and scanners (with
the ability to read barcodes and data
from a range of several metres) to
download data to a central server and
label printer.
Initially, this system will be deployed for
use in our domestic and export cathode
market, however plans are already afoot
to extend to tracking copper anodes and
lead ingots.
Thank you Bradley James for your
contribution
Cathode bundles at CRL ready for export.
Win $10,000!
Xstrata Rodeo Queen entrant, Cecile Edmonds, will draw the winner of $10,000 on 24 June
as part of her fundraising efforts for the Leukaemia Foundation. To purchase your $100 ticket
and be in the hunt for the cash prize, please contact Cecile on 0402 319 760.
10 : mine to market
Xstrata wins Most Interactive
Display at Mining Expo
Xstrata was presented with the 2008 Most Interactive Display
Award for the 2008 Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo held at
Buchanan Park in April.
The Mining Expo is an opportunity to promote and showcase
Mount Isa’s mining, business and tourism industries. This year
surpassed all expectations with over 160 exhibitors at the new
Buchanan Park complex and a record 5,500 visitors attending
the expo during the three days.
native wildlife including baby kangaroos and a wallaroo which
were a big hit with the students.
Representatives from the Mount Isa Diabetes Clinic conducted
health checks and were available to look at people’s risk
factors for diabetes, which included free blood glucose level
testing and blood pressure level testing. Additionally, Dr Louis
Peachey from MICRRH provided visitors with working
demonstrations of the SimMan computerised medical
mannequin used for emergency simulation training for health
professionals in Mount
Isa and remote western
Queensland
communities.
A team of 62 volunteers
and 30 Xstrata
apprentices manned the
Xstrata stand on a
roster basis during the
three day expo which
A detailed display
took place from Tuesday
showing the various
15 April to Thursday 17
stages of our mining
April. Over 670 students
processes from the
from schools in Mount
exploration stage
Isa and Cloncurry were
through to our finished
invited to attend the
products of copper
Xstrata display where
anodes and lead
our volunteers
bullions was also part of
demonstrated and
this year’s Xstrata
Xstrata accepts the ‘2008 Most Interactive Display Award’
explained mining and
stand. This stand
(from left to right): Patrick Collins, Jemma Schweikert,
metallurgical processes
included a copper
Steve de Kruijff, Catherine Peters and Kevin Hendry.
and introduced the
concentrator flotation
students to various
cell which was
aspects of our mining operations.
demonstrated by volunteer metallurgists from both Xstrata’s
copper and zinc operations. The exploration and geology
This year, Xstrata’s stand included interactive displays from the
team explained the exploration process and had an extensive
Xstrata Skills Centre and our community partners from the
rock display showing different minerals within the rocks.
Xstrata Community Partnership Program North Queensland
(XCPP NQ).
A brand new 3.45 metre earthmoving tyre to suit a CAT 789
Dump Truck (as used on-site at the Black Star Open Cut mine)
A hands-on, fully operational display of the Xstrata Skills
was on display for the first time this year. The tyre, one of
Centre showcasing the Xstrata Apprenticeship Program
which is capable of carrying up to 53 tonnes, was displayed
allowed school children to try their hand at different trades.
alongside a Caterpillar 988H Front End Loader and became a
Under the strict supervision of Bruno de Valter, Apprentice
focal point for expo visitors to have their photo taken standing
Technical Training Instructor, and Kerry Brisbane, Electrical
in front of it.
Apprentice Team Leader, children were able to try wiring
electrical circuits, filing and sawing.
Human Resources representatives were also in attendance at
the Xstrata career booth to discuss trade and career
Three visiting XCPP NQ partners were also part of the Xstrata
opportunities at Xstrata with interested visitors.
stand: the North West Wildlife Carers Group, Mount Isa
Diabetes Clinic, and the SimMan medical simulation
Volunteers were invited to attend the ‘underground casino’
partnership with Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote
themed closing ceremony held at the Civic Centre on Thursday
Health (MICRRH) and Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
17 April. A big thank you to all those involved in making this
The North West Wildlife Carers Group brought in rescued
year’s expo the most successful to date
ISSUE 86 : 11
12 : mine to market
A day at EHM Village
The village at the Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) camp near Cloncurry
supports close to 500 FIFO employees living in resort-style
accommodation.
Village life supports not only a great workplace but also a great
lifestyle. FIFO employees at our EHM operations have the option of
being fly in-fly out from Brisbane, Townsville or Cairns.
The village is a hive of activity from around 4am when it opens for
breakfast. Employees are treated to a banquet-style breakfast
including a mix of hot and cold foods from bacon and eggs to
porridge, yoghurt and fresh fruit. Four chefs are employed to feed
the hungry lot of hard-working EHM employees and contractors for
both breakfast and dinner service. Day shift employees are able to
pack their own lunch from the assortment of breakfast items or
from last night’s buffet dinner before they head off to the open-cut
mine to start their shifts at around 6am.
Approximately 300 people stay at the EHM village at any one time.
The village has 284 ensuite rooms which consist of a bed, private
bathroom, television, fridge, phone line, and large living space.
Additionally, there are 71 cons rooms (basic rooms) which are
mainly used for overnight stays and include a bed, desk, and fridge.
The village has separate male and female shower facilities to
accommodate these rooms that are without ensuites. There are also
several double ensuite rooms to support the couples who work for
EHM and are on the same roster.
“My ensuite room is a home away from home which I share with
another person when I’m not on site,” said Mike Webster, Health
and Safety Advisor. “I have no problems sharing my room as I know
the other occupant and we have an open understanding on how we
like things left.”
There is plenty for employees to do at the village during their
spare time. The village is equipped with a pool, tennis court,
gymnasium, village green where friendly games of touch footy are
played, a music room and an open-air big screen television on the
veranda where EHM employees gather to watch movies or live
sporting events. All of the facilities at the village are within walking
distance from each other and the rooms. A lot of employees join in
weekly soccer games against the local PCYC team held in the
Cloncurry township.
After a hard day’s work, crews return to the village for a gourmet
buffet dinner. A hot favourite with the villagers are the monthly
theme nights. A Chinese themed night was recently held and chefs
prepared Asian culinary delights while village staff members
decorated the dining room with authentic Chinese lanterns. Fortune
cookies were given out and some villagers even dressed in Chinese
costume for the occasion.
240kg of potatoes
175kg of pasta
70kg of cereal
150kg of steak
More than 1,000 litres of milk
180kg of watermelon
110 loaves of bread
The village has also held Greek, Indian, French and Italian themed
nights. Special events such as the State of Origin, Olympics and other
international sporting events are also celebrated at the village.
Needless to say, the village, managed by Tim Hartley, employs around
40 staff members including chefs, cleaners and bus drivers.
Since January 2008, the EHM operation has implemented an
even-time roster which is proving to be extremely beneficial for the
operation with fewer safety incidents recorded, due to employees
being well rested prior to their shift block as well as a good work-life
balance being met for employees.
General Manager for Ernest Henry Mining, Mike Westerman, said
that the new even-time roster allows for more flexibility for the
individual and places EHM in a more competitive global position.
“The most significant outcomes expected from this change will be
related to safety, production and lifestyle wellbeing,” he said.
With the introduction of the even-time roster, EHM now currently
supports a number of different rosters including an eight days on,
seven days off, then a seven nights on, six days off roster. Jobs that
don’t involve night shift enjoy an eight days on and six days off roster.
Additionally, some employees work a five days on, two days off,
then four days on, three days off roster.
“FIFO is a real lifestyle choice for me and suits me really well. I like to
keep my home and work life separate. When I’m at EHM I’m here
to work,” said Katrina Donovan, Human Resources Advisor.
Wade Reynolds, Graduate Surveyor, said “Being a FIFO employee,
I see the best of both worlds; being in the country one week and
the city the next.”
The benefits of meeting a healthy work-life balance are being felt
throughout the organisation. The move towards a more positive
lifestyle has lifted the morale among employees which has been
reflected in the increase in the level of engagement and conversation
between departments as well as the increased cheer about the village.
“I really like the new even-time roster which supports a healthy
work-life balance. With longer periods away from work, I’m able to
get a decent break with the family,” said Sean Buxton, Manager
Mine Technical Services.
Fabo Harland, Mining Technician, said “I like finishing work and not
having to worry about what I’m going to cook for dinner and
whether there is enough food in the fridge. At the village there are
always at least three different varieties of hot main dishes and cold
options as well as ‘cooked to order’ choices. My biggest problem
these days is deciding what I am going to eat.”
One of the best things about living at the EHM village on a FIFO basis
is the mateship formed within the camp. There are lots of good
friends to be made and laughs to be had. Life at the village is what
you make of it. Most people are here without friends and family so
everyone pulls together and supports each other. It’s like having a
second family.
Wherever possible, the chefs use fresh local produce. The rest of
the food is brought in to Cloncurry by truck. The chefs sure have
their work cut out for them with the average amount of food
consumed being:
“I really enjoy sitting out on the veranda, relaxing and talking to
people. Being on a five days on, two days off and four days on, three
days off roster, I get to talk to new and different people each week,”
said Lil Howarth, Graduate Environmental Advisor.
The only problem with living at the EHM village, as one person
commented, was “having more trouble looking after myself at home
than I do at work! Although FIFO work and village life are not for
everyone, it sure beats cooking!”
ISSUE 86 : 13
“Approximately 300
people stay at the EHM
village at any one time.”
14 : mine to market
The Myuma Group gains mining experience
Xstrata works closely with key stakeholders in the community
to provide real and meaningful vocational career pathways.
Xstrata’s 2008 XCPP NQ partnership with the Myuma Group
has recently seen their students participate in a structured
vocational training program. The Myuma Group was formed
by the Indjilandji/Dhidhanu people to further the well-being,
cultural maintenance and quality of lifestyle of the Aboriginal
people of the region.
Last month Xstrata invited
members of the Myuma Group
to visit Xstrata Mount Isa
Mines. Beginning with a tour
of the Xstrata Skills Centre, the
group was guided through the
modern training facilities for
apprentices. This was followed
by a surface tour of the Mount
Isa Mines operations and a
visit to the Black Star Open
Cut (BSOC) mine, co-ordinated
by Roxann Parker, Zinc-Lead
Operations Indigenous
Employment Officer.
“Following the success of the 2007 Myuma Group/Xstrata
Zinc Pathways Program, which resulted in a number of Myuma
participants being employed at George Fisher Mine (GFM), we
were pleased to introduce the group to many other aspects
of our operations including BSOC to show them further
employment opportunities within Mount Isa Mines,” said Liam
Dare, Acting Human Resources Manager for Xstrata Zinc.
“Those who visited the site said
they really enjoyed speaking
with mining operators and
learning how to get started in
the industry,” said Liam.
The tour culminated in a
presentation on mine safety
and responsibilities of people
working on a mine site by
Lyle Johnson, GFM Training
Co-ordinator.
From left to right: Roy Flood – Training Facilitator Zinc Lead
maintenance, and Roxann Parker – Indigenous Employment
Officer Mount Isa Zinc Lead Operations, with Myuma placements
at GFM, Dave Minniecon – GFM Workshop, Jessica Age –
Administration, and Jason Petersen – Tyre Fitting.
Following a barbecue lunch
at Black Star, the group was
given The Open Pit Operator’s
Experience, a presentation from
Black Star employees detailing the roles and responsibilities
of a number of different career paths available for open
pit operators. More information about this presentation will be
profiled in the June issue of Mine to Market.
As a result of the partnership
with Myuma, a week’s
vocational training took place
for five of their participants.
Two were placed at BSOC, one
in administration at GFM and
two at the GFM workshop.
One of the outcomes sought for 2008 for the XCPP NQ
partnership with Myuma is to continue to offer their students
vocational placements for trainees, leading to employment
at Xstrata’s operations. Xstrata is providing $300,000 over
three years to the Myuma Group under the corporate social
involvement category of Enterprise and Job Creation
Friday Night Juniors
Present at the signing of the Xstrata Friday Night Juniors partnership agreement were (left to right)
Peter Lewis – QRU, Craig Stack – TDRU, Avril Plath, Mark Roberts and Greg O’Shea – Xstrata Copper.
Xstrata Copper, through its XCPP NQ partnership in 2008 with
the Townsville and District Rugby Union (TDRU), is supporting
Friday Night Juniors in a new Community Partnership initiative
commencing in 2008 through to 2010. The benefits to the
youngsters involved are numerous with the competition
promoting good values, sportsmanship, physical fitness and
teamwork, but most importantly having fun.
TDRU President, Craig Stack, said the funding would be used to
further develop the juniors program.“We started junior rugby in
1996 and we are now attracting up to 1,000 registered players
in Townsville clubs”.
At sign-on, Xstrata Copper provided all juniors with a backpack
and water bottle
ISSUE 86 : 15
ANZAC Day remembered
During the 2008 Anzac Day march, this little bloke pictured at George McCoy Park
near the Cenotaph called to my heart. He is Jayden Lamborn, son of proud parents
Bronwyn and Steve Lamborn, and one of five children. He marched with his dad in
honour of his great grandfather, Pte A R Lamborn, of the 31st Infantry Battalion.
Rolled up in the pocket of Jayden’s army jacket was a copy of a certificate that read:
The War of 1914-1918
Australian Imperial Forces
907 Pte A R Lamborn, 31st Inf Bn was mentioned in a Despatch from Field Marshall
Sir Douglas Haigh KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCIE, dated 16th March 1919, for gallant
and distinguished services in the Field. I have it in command from the King to record
His Majesty’s high appreciation of the services rendered.
War Office
Whitehall SW
1st July 1919
And the signature read “Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for War”.
Now, when you have the honour of meeting a family that puts such weight behind
the values our forefathers died for, you know that when you hand over the reigns
they’ll be in good hands.
Thank you Cia Schoppe for your contribution
EHM decline progressing well
From the inaugural first cut on 20 February
2008, the Ernest Henry Mining (EHM)
decline has been progressing at a steady
pace with its current length extending
over 300 metres.
CEO of Xstrata Copper, Charlie Sartain,
visited EHM during April to see first
hand the progress being made on the
new AUD $26 million underground
decline project.
“Ernest Henry Mining has been a terrific
asset to the group and it looks like this
can continue with our approach of
maximising the value of our existing
operations. In this example, we are seeing
the addition of a decline to the open pit to
investigate the potential of underground
mining,” said Charlie.
The underground feasibility is taking
shape with services and support being
systematically put in place. These include
power, water and primary ventilation.
The roof to the shoulders of the whole
decline is being supported by shotcrete
and three metre rock bolts. This ensures
the stability for the decline for the life of
the project which could potentially add
years to the life of the mine.
The EHM feasibility decline is expected
to be completed in April 2009 at an
approximate length of 1.2 kilometres
Left to right: George Radeck – Underground Superintendent, Charlie Sartain –
CEO Xstrata Copper, and Mike Westerman – General Manager Ernest Henry Mining,
prepare to inspect the EHM decline.
16 : mine to market
Xstrata Zinc gets loud
Employees from George Fisher Mine, the
zinc concentrator and the lead smelter
donned their loudest shirts, ties and socks in
support of the Hear and Say Centre’s Loud
Shirt Day held in May.
A vital fundraiser for the Hear and Say
Centre, Loud Shirt Day assists the centre to
provide services to help transform deaf
children’s lives across Queensland.
Deafness is the most common diagnosed
disability in newborns, with one in every
300 babies born with a hearing impairment.
This year approximately 1,000 newly
diagnosed deaf babies will be born in Australia.
The cost of providing each child with these
transformational services is a minimum of
$10,000 per year. With minimal government
funding, the Hear and Say Centre relies on
support from the corporate sector and
community through programs like the
Xstrata Community Partnership Program
Queensland and through fundraising
activities such as Loud Shirt Day.
In total, Xstrata Zinc raised around $1,000 to
support the Hear and Say Centre.
Thank you Fred White and the lead smelter
team for kicking off this initiative
GFM employees (from left to right) Allan Marshall, Leanne Pringle, Taryn Dredge,
Rick Leeman, Janelle Bulgarelli, and Simon Bulgarelli support Loud Shirt Day.
What community group/s do you support?
Ashley Milroy
Fixed Plant Maintenance,
Mount Isa Zinc
“I support the Isa Rats
Running Club because
they’re a great group
of people.”
Gary Perkins
Concentrator Training
Coordinator, EHM
“Helping the community
is a bit of a family affair.
We do a lot of work with
St Joseph’s Catholic School
for the benefit of the
local kids.”
Avril Plath
Administration & Community
Relations Officer, CRL
“I volunteer with the Delta
Pet Therapy Dogs and I also
visit some “super oldies”
at a local aged care facility.
For me, it’s about contributing
to the community. I am
passionate about animal
welfare and also support
the RSPCA.”
Gabe DeLorenza
Shafts and Hoisting,
MICO
“I support the Mount Isa
Sikaran Martial Arts
Corporation. I am an
instructor and help out
with the coordination of
fundraising activities and
organisation of team trips.
My daughter is also heavily
involved in this organisation.”
ISSUE 86 : 17
Xstrata Community Partnerships
benefiting our own
When the Xstrata Community Partnership Program
Qld (XCPP Qld) chose to partner with the Hear and Say
Centre, to help support hundreds of Queensland
children with hearing impairment, the XCPP Qld
initiative also stretched out a hand to five-year-old
Alyssa, whose father works at the lead smelter.
Alyssa Smith is a proud recipient
of a cochlear implant.
Born with a hearing impairment, Alyssa was given
a cochlear implant when she was 18 months old.
With regular assistance from the Hear and Say
Centre, she has learnt to listen and speak through
the Auditory-Verbal technique rather than using
sign language.
One of the Centre’s Auditory-Verbal Therapists and
Outreach Coordinator, Michelle Ryan, visited Mount Isa
last month to conduct face to face lessons with Alyssa
and her parents at home, and to visit her school to
provide strategies and advice to teachers in managing
Alyssa’s needs in the context of the classroom.
The $510,570 XCPP Qld funding over three years
(2008-2010) assists the Hear and Say Centre to provide
outreach families with regular Auditory-Verbal therapy
lessons via high speed broadband access and webcam.
“Xstrata’s Community Partnership Program has
provided support for us to visit families like Alyssa’s in
Mount Isa, as well as enabling us to provide families
like Alyssa’s with visits to Brisbane twice a year,”
said Michelle.
“We are also now able to provide the families with a
computer and webcam for lessons if they don’t have
one that is suitable, and we are able to provide all
families with toys and resources that we use for the
Auditory-Verbal lessons,” she said.
The Hear and Say Centre is one of the leading
charitable Paediatric Auditory-Verbal and Cochlear
Implant Centres in the world, teaching children who
are deaf or hearing impaired to listen and speak.
The Centre aims for its children to achieve speech
and language in the normal range for their age by
six years of age giving them the opportunity for a
mainstream education, employment of choice, and
social integration with the hearing world.
“Through the use of her cochlear implant, Alyssa is
able to hear all sounds within the speech spectrum
and through regular Auditory-Verbal Therapy lessons
we are able to teach Alyssa’s parents how to optimise
her development of spoken language. Our long term
goal is for Alyssa to have spoken language skills that
match those of her hearing peers,” said Ms Ryan
From left to right: Kylie Smith assists
her daughter Alyssa Smith with lessons
from speech pathologist Michelle Ryan.
18 : mine to market
Xstrata Copper hosts Chilean Teacher Intern
Xstrata Copper welcomes Maria Rojas to Mount Isa as the
new Spanish teacher intern from Maria Elana, Chile.
The teacher internship is part of an agreement between
Xstrata Copper Chile and the Federation of Technical
Education Institutions (Fidetecnica). The purpose of the
program is to contribute to the intern’s professional
experience in the English language as well as in management
practices by means of daily contact with the working world
in a business organisation.
Maria arrived in Mount Isa in early May from Maria Elana,
a small mining town in the north of Chile, approximately
one and a half hour’s drive from Xstrata Copper’s Lomas
Bayas operation. She is an English teacher at Liceo Tecnico
Profesional Cientifico Humaniste
(LTPCH) Maria Elana.
One of Maria’s main objectives
during her internship in Mount Isa
is to learn about Xstrata Copper’s
Health, Safety, Environment and
Community (HSEC) procedures and
strategies and apply them to the
schooling system back in Chile.
The reason for this is so that
educational institutions can develop
professional competence and
implement environment, safety
and risk strategies in all of their
departments to mirror global
mining companies such as Xstrata.
Maria studied teaching at the Universidad de Tarapaca
and is a qualified English teacher for high school students.
Currently, Maria teaches around 350 students at LTPCH
Maria Elana.
It is Maria’s first trip outside of South America. For many,
coming to a foreign speaking country is a daunting experience
but Maria is determined to make the most of it and learn as
much as she can while she is here. “I have always wanted to
be immersed in the English language and polish my English
speaking skills. Living in an English speaking country is the
best way to learn a language,” said Maria.
However, Maria has found some of the Australian ways a
little confusing. “It is hard to get a grip on the Australian
pronunciation of words and
Australians tend to use a lot of slang
language which I am not used to,”
said Maria.
Maria said that the internship is an
excellent opportunity to work in
a business environment and learn
some of the technical language
used in the business and the mining
industry. This will come in handy
as she teaches English to technical
students including mechanical
and chemical engineers back in
Maria Elana.
Coming from a mining town, Maria
has easily adjusted to life in Mount
Isa. She can see similarities between
Upon her return to Chile, Maria will
the town of 25,000 and her
present a HSEC project at a school
Maria Rojas from Chile has just commenced
a three month teaching internship with
hometown of 5,000 and believes
level which will be applied at LTPCH
Xstrata Copper at Mount Isa Mines.
that everyone here is very friendly.
Maria Elana.
Although, Maria points out that the
“I hope to increase my knowledge
landscapes of the two towns are very different. “Mount Isa
of Xstrata Copper’s values and gain an understanding of
is like a forest! There are so many trees here and a big lake.
how large corporations incorporate HSEC strategies into
Back in Maria Elana, in the middle of the desert, there is only
their daily operations. In particular, I am very interested to
one small river,” explains Maria.
learn how effective HSEC strategies can positively affect the
Maria has a four year old daughter back home in Maria
production of the company,” said Maria.
Elana. “I miss her and my family very much but sometimes
“Everyone at Xstrata Copper is very focused on the safety of
you need to make sacrifices to experience rewarding
their employees. Safety is very important in any organisation
opportunities,” she said.
and I am keen to help implement some new strategies back
Maria’s internship will see her through to the beginning of
at my school in Maria Elana so our students are learning
August. She will be teaching Spanish lessons to selected
about HSEC principles at an early stage,” said Maria.
employees of Xstrata Copper and their partners and will
pick up where Lilia Espinsosa and Sara Munoz, the previous
Spanish interns to Mount Isa Mines, left off
ISSUE 86 : 19
Domestic and family violence support services extended
Xstrata is pleased to announce that
it has committed $677,000 over
three years to extend domestic and
family violence support services in
northern and central Queensland
in partnership with the Queensland
Department of Communities.
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr,
MP – Minister for Communities,
announced the partnership at the
official state-wide launch of Domestic
and Family Violence Prevention
Month 2008 in Mount Isa on
Friday 2 May.
“In keeping with the government’s
focus on early intervention, this
year’s Domestic and Family Violence
Prevention campaign urges people
who use violence or abuse in their
relationships to seek help to stop
their unacceptable behaviour,”
Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Funded through the Xstrata
Community Partnership Program
Queensland, Xstrata’s contribution to
the initiative will help to establish a
men’s perpetrator service, comprising
a men’s perpetrator worker and
part-time women’s advocate,
From left to right: Betty Kiernan, MP – Member for Mount Isa, Melanie Edgar –
Manager Community Relations Xstrata North Queensland, and The Hon
Lindy Nelson-Carr, MP – Minister for Communities, attend the Domestic
Family and Violence Prevention Month launch in Mount Isa.
based in Mount Isa to support
communities in the Gulf and North
Queensland region. It will also extend
existing domestic and family violence
counselling and support services
in the Bowen Basin and Central
Queensland region.
“This important initiative will help
increase the support available to
individuals and families impacted
by domestic and family violence, as
well as increase the range of services
available to perpetrators of violence,”
said Sue.
Sue Sara, General Manager
Corporate Affairs Xstrata Copper,
said the partnership would make a
long-term and positive contribution
to regional Queensland.
“At Xstrata, we are committed
to supporting the communities in
which we operate and we believe
these valuable services will make a
significant difference to the safety
and wellbeing of Queensland
families,” she said
Gregory River Canoe Race
Well done to all employees who took
part in the 33rd Annual Gregory
River Canoe Marathon sponsored
by Xstrata. Two teams from Ernest
Henry Mining (EHM) competed in
this year’s canoe race. They were
made up of EHM and Xstrata North
Queensland employees and local
Police Citizen Youth Club employees.
A special mention goes to Xstrata
Mount Isa Mines’ Mining Graduate,
Anthea Barrow, who achieved first
place in the Women’s Open TK1
event with an impressive time of
5 hours 10 minutes
From left to right: Laura Tully, Nicole King – Xstrata, Asti Hughes, Mick Hughes, Luke Hodge –
PCYC, Jono Sanders, and Alex Nichol – Xstrata prepare for the 43 kilometre team canoe race.
20 : mine to market
About Port Tippling
The port tippler in operation at
Xstrata’s Townsville port operations.
Mitchell Engineering machine and was installed early in the
1960s. The operating mechanism utilised steel rope winches
and a cam system to lift and rotate the wagons. This tippler
became redundant when Queensland rail upgraded the
concentrate wagons. The machine was removed and replaced
with the current truck receival bay.
The Tippler is a Rotaside machine and requires each wagon to
be uncoupled prior to rotating the wagon onto its side allowing
the wagon contents to be tipped into a product receival bin.
The Rotaside tippler is designed to operate at 12 cycles per hour
for wagons without lids.
Xstrata’s Townsville port facility operates a Strachan & Henshaw
Rotaside single wagon tippler. The tippler’s duty is to unload
concentrates from Xstrata owned mines and from third party
mines in the North Queensland area.
The tippler was commissioned in 1982 and was initially
designed for a gross wagon weight of 63 tonnes. However in
1998, due to a Queensland Rail fleet upgrade, the tippler was
modified to accommodate the increased mass of a new wagon
type with a gross of 80 tonne which includes 62 tonnes of
concentrates.
The current Strachan & Henshaw Rotaside tippler is the second
tippler to be used at the port facility. The original tippler was a
It is common now for tippler installations to be rotary tipplers
where the wagon is rotated on the wagon coupling and
therefore no decoupling is required. Rotary tipplers typically
operate at 30 cycles per hour including the removal and
replacement of lids.
In 2007, Xstrata’s port facility tippled 15,673 wagons of
concentrate, which equates to almost one train every day of the
year. Currently, average cycle times for lidded wagons are around
nine minutes including the removal and replacement of lids.
An ongoing strategic maintenance program has been developed
from a finite analysis and fatigue assessment in order to
continue the reliable operation service of the port tippler into
the future
My colleagues don’t know this, but...
Russell Bird
Maintenance Fitter/Operator,
Townsville copper refinery
Laura Burato
Health and Safety
Administration Assistant, EHM
Barry Harm
Ringfirer,
MICO
Taryn Dredge
Personal Assistant and
Document Controller, GFM
My colleagues don’t know this,
but I have played golf with Kamahl.
My colleagues don’t know this,
but I have seven siblings.
My colleagues don’t know this,
but I used to be a ballerina.
My favourite foods are salad and
raw vegetables.
My favourite foods are Asian
stir frys.
I drive a Pajero 4x4 and Camry.
I drive a Mitsubishi Outlander.
My colleagues don’t know this,
but back in the old days when we
had to wash our own work clothes,
I would tie knots in my colleagues’
pants and let them dry, making
them very hard to undo.
The people I most admire are my
parents, Wayne Bennett and goal
committed people.
The people I most admire are my
parents.
My favourite food is a baked dinner
with plum pudding and custard.
The person I most admire is my
husband, Steven.
In my spare time I enjoy relaxing
with friends.
I drive a Subaru Brumby and a
Land Rover Discovery.
My pet hate is queues.
The people I most admire are my
parents – they had three sons and
taught us all good values.
In my spare time I like to spend
time with my puppies Rusty and
Chelsea.
In my spare time I am involved in
family, sport, and home chores.
My pet hate is people who can
‘talk it’ but have never ‘done it’.
I can’t live without my health.
I can’t live without music.
In my spare time I play bowls and
go fishing.
My pet hate is bad drivers.
I can’t live without my wife,
family, and a cold beer.
My favourite food is Mexican.
I drive a Toyota 200 Series (in my
dreams).
My pet hate is slow computers.
I can’t live without chocolate.
ISSUE 86 : 21
‘Ouch! I’ve hurt myself’
Treatment of sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are the most common
workplace injury in Queensland and are
usually associated with manual handling
tasks at work.
Sprains and strains involve damage to
the soft tissues. A sprain affects soft
tissues including ligaments around
joints such as the ankle, whereas a
strain involves damage to the tendons
or muscle, such as in the lower back or
hamstring. Both sprains and strains can
be acute – meaning they occur suddenly,
or chronic – meaning that the injury has
built up over time and is usually due to
overuse. They can take between two and
12 weeks to heal – the earlier you treat
them, the better the recovery outcomes.
Sign and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of sprains and
strains include pain, swelling, reduced
function, and stiffness.
MEDICAL
First Aid
The immediate and correct treatment of
a sprain or strain can reduce the injury
severity and trauma to the area, meaning
that your recovery rate will be faster.
Treat it with the RICE management plan.
Rest the injured part and person.
Icepacks or a cold compress wrapped
in a wet cloth should be applied to
the area for 15 minutes, every two
hours for 24 hours. Then for 15
minutes every four hours for 24 hours.
C
ompression – firmly apply an elastic
bandage around the area well beyond
where the injury has occurred.
Elevate the injured area.
Other issues to consider include seeking
medical attention and avoiding exercise,
heat, and alcohol, as these can increase
the level of swelling.
For more information contact:
Queensland Ambulance Service First
Aid Training 1300 369 003 or
www.ambulance.qld.gov.au
Sports Medicine Australia
02 6241 9344 or www.sma.org.au
Department of Industrial Relations –
Queensland Government
1300 369 915 or www.dir.qld.gov.au
Xstrata MacAir 2008 Outback Tour
The 2008 Australian Festival of Chamber
Music’s (AFCM) Outback Tour promises
to be a unique travel adventure enhanced
by beautifully composed music
performed in some of Queensland’s most
spectacular and isolated locations.
Sponsored by Xstrata Copper through
the Xstrata Community Partnership
Program North Queensland, the tour
mixes dramatic scenery with a selection
of musical works composed by
acclaimed musicians.
Music enthusiasts will join five talented
musicians in this five day tour including
leading didgeridoo artist William Barton
and the Euphoria Quartet.
In 2007, the Hamer Quartet and world
renowned Didgeridoo player, William
Barton, played in the bucket of a 500
tonne shovel at EHM as part of the
Xstrata MacAir Australian Festival of
Chamber Music Outback Tour.
Mount Isa-born William Barton is
considered one of Australia’s leading
didgeridoo players and is increasingly
recognised as a composer. Euphoria
Quartet is a dynamic group of young
women who came together at the
beginning of 2007 with a mutual passion
for chamber music. With a diverse taste
and versatility, the quartet consists of
Lucy Warren and Edwina George (violins),
Tara Houghton (viola) and Stephanie
Arnold (cello).
The tour goes to the heart of North West
Queensland and the Gulf Country visiting
Mount Isa, Cloncurry and Ernest Henry
Mine, Karumba, and Normanton.
Tour highlights include concerts in
remote and fascinating destinations,
watching masterclasses in action, visiting
mines, sumptuous seafood meals in the
Gulf and a ride on the famous Gulflander
(the ‘old tin hare’).
Highlights
Mount Isa Community Concert
(Friday 27 June)
Ernest Henry Mine Performance
(Saturday 28 June)
McKinlay Races Performance
(Saturday 28 June)
Impromptu Quamby Pub Performance
(Sunday 29 June)
Keep an eye out in your local area for
the Australian Festival of Chamber
Music Outback Tour late in June or visit
www.afcm.com.au for a detailed itinerary
of where the artists will perform
22 : mine to market
Townsville Hospital Foundation
Michael Shannon – Clinical Nurse Consultant Emergency Department TTH, with
(left) Greg O’Shea – Manager Xstrata Copper Port Operations, Logistics and Support.
We’re able to scan patients and
determine whether the treatment
we’ve introduced to improve
bladder control or tone has worked,
or if we need to do invasive
procedures like putting in
a catheter,” Ms McCarthy said.
“There are a number of bladder
scanners in other parts of the
hospital which the emergency
department had access to but
when you’re rushed for time in
diagnosing and treating patients
it’s fantastic to have one on hand
in the department.”
In a continuing partnership with
the Townsville Hospital Foundation
(THF), Xstrata Copper has
committed $50,000 over the next
three years to provide state of the
art equipment to the Townsville
Hospital’s Emergency Department.
The first instalment of the latest
grant has been used to purchase
a bladder scanner.
Emergency Department Clinical
Nurse Coordinator, Debbie
McCarthy, said the bladder scanner
used ultrasound technology to
determine how much urine is in
the bladder of patients who require
emergency care.
“While not overly glamorous, it is an
important piece of equipment.
The Townsville Hospital
Foundation’s manager, Simone
Ryan, said a very successful
relationship has been formed
with Xstrata Copper through their
North Queensland Community
Partnership Program.
“This relationship with Xstrata
Copper has grown in recent years.
It is a relationship which has helped
to ensure our doctors have the
equipment needed to provide the
best possible care to patients,”
said Ms Ryan
On the move
Laura Featonby
Shane Knight
Joe Clear
Robin Smith
has moved from being the
Administration Assistant for
Maintenance and Support to
the Administration Assistant
for Contracts & Logistics,
Xstrata Zinc.
is the new Operator/
Maintainer at Xstrata’s
Townsville port operation.
has recently moved from
Xstrata Zinc’s MacArthur
River mine to Ernest Henry
Mining as the new Mine
Surveyor.
has been promoted to
Underground Electrical
Supervisor for MICO.
ISSUE 86 : 23
Calendar
June
2-8
Queensland Week
4
New Starters Induction (Mount Isa)
3
World Environment Day
7
Mount Isa Cup (Mount Isa)
8-9
Finke Desert Races (Alice Springs)
9
Queen’s Birthday – public holiday
9-14
Bowel Cancer Awareness Week
13-15
Cloncurry Show
20-22
Mount Isa Annual Show
24
Bowen Show Holiday
Are you up for
the Border Run?
27Xstrata MacAir Outback Tour Performance –
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
(Mount Isa)
27-29
Saxby Campdraft
28
McKinlay Race Meeting
Xstrata MacAir Outback Tour Performance –
Australian Festival of Chamber Music (EHM)
29Xstrata MacAir Outback Tour Performance
(Quamby Pub)
30
School holidays start
July
2
New Starters Induction (Mount Isa)
5-6
Isa Campdraft (Mount Isa)
6-13
NAIDOC Week
7
Townsville Show Holiday
8-10
Rockhana Festival (Cloncurry)
12Mid-winter Christmas Party –
Donna Kuskopf, Isa Rodeo Queen
Quest Entrant (Overlander Hotel)
10-13Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge
and Campdraft
14
Student Free Day
15
School Resumes
18-20
Boulia Camel Races
26
Quamby Rodeo
Townsville Cup
27
Isa Rats Mine 2 Mine marathon (Mount Isa)
August
1
Cloncurry Merry Muster
Charity gold coin donation morning tea
(Townsville Refinery)
6
New Starters induction (Mount Isa)
16
Border Run, charity bike ride (Camooweal)
8-10
50th Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo
GFM employees who will be entering in this year’s Border Run
(from left to right) Cameron Moore, Phil Sharam, Steve Carson,
Yannick Barbaux-Couper, Jeremy Doolan, Ashley Milroy and Paul Wragg.
Among the numerous cyclists who will be riding from Mount Isa
to Camooweal in the 2008 charity bike ride, The Border Run, will be
a large contingent of Xstrata employees. Taking place on Saturday
16 August and with a total distance of 202 kilometres to complete in
one day, one would have to wonder why is it such a popular event?
According to bike ride promoter, Steve Carson, who rides his bicycle to
work at George Fisher Mine daily, there are three main reasons why:
every dollar raised goes to selected charities;
simply for the challenge; and
it will mark the return of an event where people can enjoy the
camaraderie of fellow competitors with a great night out assured
at the destination: Camooweal.
Inter-mine challenges began to form when Brian Webb from Ernest
Henry Mining started the ball rolling by getting his work mates into
training early. “While it is first and foremost a charity ride and not a
race, I assure you that our EHM team will ride there faster than any
of the other teams,” said Brian.
Vocal opposition is being expressed by the two Mine Rescue
Captains, known around the mine as “The Two Ronnies” who have
stated that it’s in the bag for their team and they’ll be in the cool
down area by the time the next team comes in.
Arthur “The Scottish Thistle” McHugh from the copper smelter is
keeping his team under wraps for now but promises something
bigger than Braveheart on the day. There’s been a mention of kilts,
so some will be hoping for strong winds, but others may be praying
for a calm day.
Mine to Market will be following the event until the August bike ride
for charity, however if you would like to enter a team, go it alone,
or greet the teams upon their arrival in Camooweal, please get in
touch with Steve Carson on his email [email protected]
or phone 4743 8117
Classifieds
PHOTO COMPETITION
For sale
Colorado Series II portable
outdoor 5 person spa with
hard cover. Excellent condition,
hardly used. Must sell $5,500 ONO.
Ph 4743 2826.
Fridge – Simpson 440L White,
glass shelving, A1 condition - $500.
Stroller - Jeep 3 wheeler, black incl.
sun and rain covers - $200.
Ph 0414 996 977.
Hyundai Excel Sprint Silver,
good cond. Fully serviced,
economical, registered. $3,000.
Ph 4743 3338.
Land Rover Country 110
4WD. 3.5 litre V8 Petrol and gas.
Two 60 litre gas tanks.
Lovel suspension – snorkel.
Bilstein shocks, Sun Rayser wheels,
towbar, aircon. Brown in colour.
Not registered. $5,000.
Ph 0400 824 137.
1993 Mazda Astina 323 Sedan
‘As is’ condition. $500 neg.
Ph 0428 147 020.
1994 Holden Jackaroo Wagon
Good Condition, only 187,000kms.
New tyres, $1000s recently spent
on it. $9,000. Ph: 0402 968 695.
05 Holden Viva Hatch Silver.
20,000 kms. $11,000 neg. Must sell.
Ph 4743 4221.
JBL Sub Good condition. $95.00.
Ph 4743 2360.
Subaru Outback June 03 model
85,000km, 6cyl 3.0L auto, 4WD,
white, roof racks. Redbook guide
(80-130kms) $18-20k. Sale price
is $18,500. Inspect in Mt Isa or
Cloncurry. Ph 0411 409 496.
05 VZ Holden Ute V6 automatic
limited edition ‘S’ Pack with low
kms, bullbar, sports bar, spotlights,
towbar, sports exhaust, leather
interior, 6 stack CD + heaps
more extras. Very tidy ute with
full history and only one owner.
$27,000 ono. Ph 0429 309 280.
Water Skis American made,
wooden, Tahoe brand.
Be quick $150. Ph 0423 843 029
Wanted
Toyota wheel rim
Steel, to suit 100 series GXL,
(live axle model), Ph 0407134 062.
Congratulations to Watisoni Lomani
who correctly guessed that April’s
photo competition was a section of
the Mary Kathleen Park signage on
page 19
Congratulations
Congratulations to Shane Nolan
and wife Alice on the birth of
their baby girl Georgia Bethany.
Georgia was born on 11 March
weighing 8lb 6oz.
Employees from Townsville Copper
Refinery and Port Operations, Bowen
Coke Works, EHM and Mount Isa
Mines only are invited to list items for
sale. Please contact your Community
Relations Department for the
classifieds form.
All submissions are due to the Editor
by the 3rd business day of each month.
Mine to Market will not accept any
commercial advertising notices.
Can you guess this month’s
photo competition? You will find
the answer somewhere in this
publication.
For your chance to win, email
[email protected]
before Friday 13 June.
The winner will receive a double
movie voucher and have their
name published in the next issue
of Mine to Market