Move to forge stronger links with Mining industry

Transcription

April - May 2015
coalfacemagazine.com.au
EE
FR
MINERS’ FIRST AID SKILLS PUT TO TEST IN MUDGEE
WESTERN REGION
MINING’S VOICE
you’ll DIG IT!
cat’s new 6020b
hydraulic shovel
aboriginal
engagement
move to forge stronger
links with mining industry
Plus newsprofilesindustrysuppliersand more
IN THIS ISSUE
People from all over NSW headed to the
Hunter during March to check out the
packed program of Hunter Coal Festival
events, including the Hunter Mining Show
trade exhibition.
6
At the Coalface
April - May 2015
The mining industry is a leader in many fields, such as workplace health and safety
measures and innovative environmental solutions.
But two years ago it also showed it was prepared to be at the forefront of another area.
The NSW Minerals Council, which represents the major coal and metalliferous mining companies across
the state – signed a commitment to work with the State Government and the NSW Indigenous Chamber
of Commerce to help boost Aboriginal employment and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses within
the sector.
4
Mine Profile
12
WHS & Training
14
Community
17
Lifestyle
19
Savour
21
News
The NSW Minerals Council was the first peak advocacy group to sign one of these
industry‑based agreements.
Of course, since then the mining industry has been grappling with tough economic conditions caused by the
falling price of coal and thousands of jobs have been shed across the sector.
But that doesn’t mean the industry is no longer able to pursue the goals of the industry-based agreement.
While direct employment opportunities might be harder to find, there are other ways for the industry to still
make a difference, including increasing engagement with Aboriginal businesses through their supply chains.
Linking with these businesses via procurement contracts will help ensure they thrive – and are able to employ
more workers of their own.
This month we have decided to highlight the work the mining industry is doing in relation to employing
Indigenous workers and engaging with Aboriginal businesses, with our feature stories in both Coalface (page
8) and Rockface (page 6) showcasing some great case studies from the Western Regions of NSW.
Working together, we can truly change lives.
Michelle Meehan
and Shannon Noud
During the last two
years regional NSW
- particularly mining
communities - have
borne the brunt of
rising unemployment.
Why choose Blackwoods?
We can supply all your
fabrication needs.
Over this period there have
been around 5000 jobs lost in
the NSW mining sector, with
about 3000 of these in the
Hunter Valley.
Unemployment is usually
higher among Aboriginal
Australians and with
an industry downturn,
opportunities for Aboriginal
people in the minerals sector
can be tough to find.
Publisher: Shane Davey 0408 759 088
[email protected]
General Manager: Anthony Swinsburg,
0419 604 571
blackwoods.com.au/fabrication
Editor / Associate Publisher:
Michelle Meehan
[email protected]
Despite these uncertain times,
things could be about to
change, and 2015 could be
the year that NSW turns the
corner and gets back on track,
which could be good news
for jobs.
Coal production is increasing
and demand for NSW coal
is growing. There are also
signs of improvement in
commodity prices.
A number of important
mining projects have been
approved or commenced
operation, securing hundreds
of jobs for communities in
regional communities.
That’s why it’s important
the industry is ready with
Deputy Editor: Shannon Noud
[email protected]
Design: Jason Higgs
Cover photography: Chris Burgess
Contributors: NSW Minerals Council,
Suni Golightly
Sales and accounts Manager: Julie
Wicks 0429 363 847
strategies to provide
opportunities for Aboriginal
people when mining starts
to recover.
Our industry is a leader
in providing meaningful
work outcomes for
Aboriginal Australians.
and Minister for Resources
to work together to deliver
Aboriginal employment and
enterprise development
outcomes across the NSW
minerals sector.
Companies like Whitehaven
Coal have set and in
some cases exceeded
targets for Aboriginal
employment, and most
operations have constructive
relationships with their local
Aboriginal communities.
The NSW Minerals Council
has been working with our
members to identify other
opportunities to assist
Aboriginal people to enter
the mining workforce, and
to provide opportunities for
Aboriginal business to win
contracts within the mining
supply chain.
In June 2013, the NSW
Minerals Council entered into
a formal agreement with the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
We will be promoting the
recently released NSW
Aboriginal Business Portal
- an initiative of the NSW
[email protected]
Advertising Account Manager: Michelle
Lebrocq 0456 233 880 m.lebrocq@
coalfacemagazine.com.au
Advertising Account Manager:
Greg Harris 0431 065 667
[email protected]
Production and Distribution Manager:
Matt Hann [email protected]
Office Manager: Lucy Archer
[email protected]
Published by People Brands T/A
Coalface Magazine
ABN: 21 139 736 600
Government and the NSW
Indigenous Chamber of
Commerce - which provides
a way to access a wide
range of Indigenous suppliers
servicing diverse fields who
have been quality assured by
the Chamber.
Improving education, work
and health outcomes for
Indigenous Australians is
one of our great national
challenges. Our industry is well
placed to make a significant
contribution, and helping
people into meaningful work
is the best way to tackle
social disadvantage.
Stephen Galilee
CEO, NSW Minerals Council
HUNTER VALLEY: Shop 7, 157-159
John Street, Singleton NSW 2330
NEWCASTLE: 526 Hunter Street,
Newcastle NSW 2300
SYDNEY: Pier 8/9, 23 Hickson Road,
Sydney NSW 2000
WESTERN REGION: 41a Williwa
Street, Portland NSW 2847
coalfacemagazine.com.au | April - May 2015 3
INDUSTRY & COMMUNITY NEWS
Additional exploration activities
have uncovered a valuable
coal resource within the
southern portion of an existing
exploration licence (EL 7542).
Plans to extend life of Ulan
West open for comment
The public is invited to comment on Glencore’s
plans to extract more coal discovered at its Ulan
West underground mine near Mudgee.
Glencore is seeking to modify
its existing approval at Ulan
West to gain access to this
additional 13 million tonnes of
coal, which would extend the
life of the mine by two years
until 2033.
To do so, this would require the
realignment of longwalls LW 5
to LW 12, including a reduction
of LW 5 by 170 metres and
extension of LW 6 to LW 12 by
between 900 and 1300 metres.
Mine approval to ease transport
pressures on public roads
This would also require
changes to surface
infrastructure, including
repositioning of approved
dewatering bores and
ventilation shafts.
If approved the modification
would allow for the
continued employment for
the mine’s 340 workers
and continued economic
benefits, with minimal
environmental impacts.
An Environmental Assessment
has been lodged with the
NSW Department of Planning
and Environment and is
currently on public exhibition
In the EA, Ulan West have
noted that changes to the
mine’s configuration will
result in changes to affected
subsidence areas, however
these levels remain consistent
with predictions for current
approved mining.
To view the EA or make
a submission visit the
Department of Planning and
Environment website - www.
majorprojects.planning.nsw.
gov.au, then click the “On
Exhibition” tab to find Ulan
Coal Mine.
Flights hit new heights in
New England mining region
Less coal could be transported along public roads in Boggabri following a
decision to integrate mine rail and wash plant facilities.
Idemitsu’s Boggabri Coal
has received approval from
the NSW Department of
Planning and Environment
for Modification 2, which
will allow it to share
access of its facilities
with the neighbouring
Tarrawonga Mine.
This is an interim
arrangement until a
commercial agreement
is finalised between
Whitehaven Coal and
Boggabri Coal for the use of
its facilities.
Coal from Tarrawonga - a joint
venture between Whitehaven
Coal and Boggabri Coal - can
now be processed at the
Boggabri Mine rail spur and
coal handling and preparation
plant (CHPP), which is yet to
be constructed.
In the meantime, Boggabri
Coal has sought approval to
share access to its facilities
with Tarrawonga, which if it
goes ahead will reduce the
amount of coal transported
via public road and will mean
fewer environmental impacts
than with two independently
operated mines.
The Tarrawonga Extension
Project is currently approved
to transport run-of-mine
(ROM) coal by road along an
approved haulage route to
the Whitehaven CHPP, which
is located approximately
35km away.
As part of the modification,
Boggabri will expand existing
ROM and product coal
stockpiles at Boggabri to
process the additional coal
from Tarrawonga, while
establishing an additional
product coal stockpile.
Throughput of the Boggabri
CHPP will increase from
three million tonnes per
annum (Mtpa) to 3.5Mtpa
and the mine is allowed to
transport up to 3Mtpa of
coal from Tarrawonga via
rail in addition to Boggabri’s
approved limit of 7Mtpa.
Boggabri will also relocate
a haul road 100m to the
east to to extend the ROM
coal stockpile, will construct
a new sediment dam and
dispose of any additional
reject from Tarrawonga.
In its determination, the
Department recognised
that the modification
is unlikely to result in
any significant impacts
and would be operated
within existing limits and
approval conditions.
Air access to the growing mining region of
Gunnedah is about to soar to new heights.
Virgin Australia has
announced it will introduce
regular flights from Sydney
to Tamworth Airport from
May – a move that will make
it easier for businesses and
workers to reach the booming
mining market in the New
England region.
Tamworth and the wider
New England region,” Mr
Grant said.
The decision was welcomed
by Deputy Premier Troy Grant
and Member for Tamworth
Kevin Anderson.
Mr Anderson said providing
competition on the Tamworth
to Sydney route with the
introduction of a second
carrier would be a huge
boost for locals, with a likely
positive impact of flight costs.
“This is really terrific news
that will benefit hundreds
of people living and visiting
knowledge of first aid and
how well they responded to
each issue. They also had to
complete a theory exam.
Wilpinjong’s winning team: L-R: Sam Raynor,
Dan Young (captain), Kyle Kennedy, David
Pusztai, Peter Bonnano
Regional Manager of Western
Mines Rescue, Brian Kelly
thanked Moolarben for hosting
the competition, which gave
mines rescue brigadesmen,
emergency response teams
and first aid officers an
opportunity to test their skills
in high pressure, life-like
situations.
Mudgee mine finishes
on top in first-aid competition
Wilpinjong’s Mines Rescue team was at the top of their game at a recent
first aid competition in Mudgee.
The mine finished ahead of
five other local teams in the
inaugural Mudgee First Aid
Competition, which was held at
the Moolarben Training Ground
in March.
4 April - May 2015 | coalfacemagazine.com.au
Each team was put through
a series of practical first
aid scenarios to test their
“Mines Rescue have been
conducting various safety
training courses for both
underground and open cut
mines in the area for over
twenty years,” he said.
“The competition was the
first of its kind to be held in
the region and recognises
an ongoing commitment
to the needs of the mining
industry, its workers and the
communities in which they live
and work.”
General Manager of Moolarben
get the best science
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risks with water,
with the future, not
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until April 17 at Mid-Western
Regional Council.
Billion dollar mine
halted at final hurdle
The Federal Government has temporarily closed the gate on
plans for a $1.2 billion coal mine in the north west of NSW.
Shenhua’s Watermark Coal Mine was
given the tick of approval in NSW by
the Planning Assessment Commission
(PAC) at the end of January
and referred for Commonwealth
Government assessment under
the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act.
from the Liverpool Plains area in
February, Mr Hunt said he wanted
to halt the process until he obtained
further advice from the Independent
Expert Scientific Committee on Coal
Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining
Development (IESC).
But approval of the mine, located
25km south-east of Gunnedah, has
now been put on hold by Federal
Environment Minister Greg Hunt.
“I have stopped the clock on the
Shenhua project to seek additional
advice on protecting water resources
and aquifers from the best experts on
groundwater in the country,” he said.
After meeting with concerned farmers
“ … it was the right thing to do to
environmental assessment and called
for a balanced discussion “based on
the facts”.
“Mining projects in NSW are
assessed against some of the highest
environmental assessments in the
world and this project is no different,
with its potential impact on land and
water in the region heavily scrutinised
over a rigorous three year assessment
period,” NSW Minerals Council CEO
Stephen Galilee said.
Mr Hunt said he
was prepared to
delay the project
for “as long as it
takes” to ensure they
took into account
“matters of national
environmental
significance”, adding
further uncertainty
to the timeline of
the project, which
has already spent
six years in the
assessment process.
“Claims by some that the mine will be
the ‘death warrant for the Liverpool
Plains’ and that this single mining
project will threaten the ‘state’s
and nation’s food security’, are
irresponsible exaggerations seeking
to whip up fear rather than deal in
the facts.
The delay is a blow
for Shenhua, however
the company stands
by the results of previous scientific
assessments and has “every
confidence this additional review will
re-confirm the conclusions reached in
NSW assessment process”.
Following the PAC approval in
January, Shenhua Watermark Project
Manager Paul Jackson said that
assessment had confirmed “the
irrefutable evidence showing the
project will not harm the valuable
irrigation groundwater accessed by
those who farm on the plains”.
The NSW Minerals Council has also
come out in defence of the project’s
“It’s important that all industries are
able to co-exist. The New England
region is a big place, and with a
co-operative approach there is room
for everyone.”
If approved, the Watermark Coal
Mine is expected to create 600 jobs
during construction and more than
400 jobs during operation, while also
generating $900 million in direct and
indirect spending each year.
The operation will incorporate three
open cut pits, a coal handling and
preparation plant and a new rail loop
and spur.
Shenhua will extract up to 10 million
tonnes (Mt) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal
each for 30 years and will produce
approximately 159Mt of coal.
“Tamworth is the commercial
capital of the North West and
increasing the flights in and
out of the town improves its
attractiveness to businesses
and tourists alike.”
Coal, Steve Archinal said that
with the nearest Mines Rescue
station located in Lithgow,
miners needed to be ready to
respond to any event the area.
“The safety and first aid
training that takes place with
Mines Rescue and at each site
helps to keep workers safe,”
he said.
“General first aid skills aren’t
limited to mine sites – these
skills could be applied at home
and in the wider community.”
Wilpinjong team captain, Dan
Young thanked Coal Services
and everyone else involved in
the competition for making it a
success.
“The mines support us in
training and at days like this
to practice our skills in the
unfortunate event that we ever
have to use them,” he said.
The other teams to compete
on the day were Ulan West
team 2, Ulan No. 3 and
Moolarben.
hunter coal festival NEWS
Mines Rescue Regional Manager,
David Connell, with Brant Webb.
“We had more than 1000 people
booked for the tour of the Mount Thorley
Warkworth mine, as well as good
numbers for the other mine site tours,”
he said.
“Also very popular was the simulated
rescue of a severely injured miner,
featuring Coal Services, the Wambo
mine rescue team, our local
ambulance service and the Westpac
Rescue Helicopter.
Coal festival draws
huge crowd to Singleton
The vision of the Hunter Mining Show was to bring the
community and miners together in a unique celebration of coal.
And that vision has certainly been
achieved with more than 5000 people
from across the industry and community
attending the three-day event, which
was held in Singleton from March
12‑14.
presentations by Beaconsfield survivor
Brant Webb.
Highlights included a suite of health and
safety workshops and forums about
various topics, including the intimate
Festival Chair Peter Eason said the third
day of the show - the Community Day –
was a particular success.
Webb shared some of his personal
experiences, from the ups and downs
of the rescue operation to his battle with
post-traumatic depression.
“These show the tremendous interest
in the mining industry on the part of the
wider community.”
Mr Eason acknowledged the assistance
offered by volunteers in the lead up to
the show and during the event itself and
thanked Singleton High School students
and staff for assisting with catering,
registration and other jobs.
He said the feedback from the
majority of exhibitors and visitors
was positive with many gaining
business opportunities.
David Biddles, branch manager
with Blackwoods Singleton - the
show’s biggest exhibitor through the
Blackwoods Pavilion and the major
sponsor for the Coal Festival – said the
Hunter Mining Show was one of the
most successful exhibitions the company
had been associated with.
“Some of our exhibiting companies did
more business in one day than they have
done across entire events with other
shows,” he said.
Mr Eason said they would be contacting
all exhibitors in the next few weeks to
seek their feedback.
“We will also be working closely with the
mining industry and other stakeholders
to ensure that future Hunter Mining
Shows best align with their needs and
expectations,” he said.
“Following a detailed post-Show
debriefing, the dates and venue for
the next Show will be announced in
due course.”
Mine royalties to fund critical
road upgrade
A multimillion dollar
boost from the NSW
Government will go
towards a major road
upgrade in the mid‑west.
The Mid-Western Regional
Council has been successful in
its bid for funding through the
latest round of the Resources
for Regions program, receiving
$14 million to upgrade Wollar Road
between Bylong and Mudgee.
Mining matters dished up
at popular industry lunch
Mining companies have been forced to make tough
decisions to make it through what has been described as
the worst mining industry downturn.
That was the general consensus
among a panel of industry speakers
at the Mining Legends Lunch, which
was held in Singleton last month
as part of the inaugural Hunter
Coal Festival.
Glencore’s Chief Operating
Officer, Ian Cribb said this is the
worst downturn in his 30-year
career, forcing Glencore to stop
uneconomic operations, delay
projects and reduce workers.
He noted that unemployment across
the Hunter started to rise at the time
coal prices began to fall, which they
have continued to do since 2011.
Executive General Manager of
Blackwoods Peter Boyd said the
company has also made reductions
to become leaner, but this has
driven them to offer customers
more services.
More than 550 people attended the
lunch on March 20 at the Singleton
Rugby Club.
Media personality Mike Rabbit
led the panel discussion, with Mr
Cribb and Mr Boyd joined in the
hot seat by Coal Services CEO
Lucy Flemming, Managing Director
of Rio Tinto Coal Australia, Chris
Salisbury and Bloomfield CEO
John Richards.
Other issues discussed were
safety, industry interactions with
the community, issues with the
state’s planning system and
media scrutiny.
Ms Flemming said the NSW
mining industry has seen major
improvements in safety, but there
needs to be a step change toward
achieving zero harm.
When asked whether the coal
mining industry is given a fair run in
the media or whether they are easy
targets, Mr Richards said his issue
is “when newspapers want to take
up a role of activists themselves in
the debate”.
Image courtesy of Flickr;
Matthew Fern
Former MP and Member for Upper
Hunter George Souris said the
upgrade will provide a greater link
between the Mid-Western and Hunter
mining regions while connecting the
Bylong and Mudgee communities.
“This funding is a welcome investment
into the community that will not only
cut travel time for residents and
visitors but make the journey safer,”
he said.
“Since 2011 the NSW Government
has committed $217 million to
Resources for Regions, including
more than $80.1 million in this latest
round, to support mining-affected
communities experiencing pressures
on their infrastructure.”
The project will include upgrading
25km of Wollar Road, including
the rehabilitation and widening of
Wollar Road, a sealed stronger
road pavement, wider and safer
traffic lanes.
It will also include improvements to
storm water drainage, new safety
barriers and road signage, full
line-marking, removal of roadside
vegetation to improve visibility and
bridge upgrades.
Construction of new rail
overbridge to improve safety
A new rail overbridge is being constructed in Wallerawang to
improve safety for road users and pedestrians.
The new bridge, which crosses the Main
West rail line, will replace the existing
Black Bridge that was constructed in
the 1920s.
Lithgow City Council Mayor Maree
Statham said because of its age, the
width of the bridge, footpath and
approaches do not meet today’s
safety standards.
“A considerable amount of the traffic
using Black Bridge is heavy vehicles and
articulated trucks which, in combination
with narrow footways, approaches, and
traffic lanes, put the safety of both drivers
and pedestrians at risk,” she said.
“The new bridge is to be a single span
bridge with pre-stressed, precast
concrete deck planks. The bridge will
be designed with increased clearance
to improve rail safety, as well as a wider
traffic carriageway and a footpath
either side.
“The road approaches will be designed
in accordance with Australian Standards,
in order to improve the safety of
intersections on both the southern and
northern approaches.”
Funding for the Black Bridge renewal
has been made possible by the
NSW Government’s Resources for
Regions Program.
Lithgow City Council received $3.5 million
in the first round of funding in 2013-2014.
cover feature
Aboriginal
engagement
cover feature
Darren Trindall with the Maules
Creek dump truck fleet
“The NSW Minerals Council will be
promoting the recently released NSW
Aboriginal Business Portal (http://
nswicc.hostmodern.com.au/directory/)
- an initiative of the NSW Government
and the NSWICC, which provides a
convenient way access a wide range of
Indigenous businesses supplying diverse
fields who have been quality assured by
the NSWICC.
Move to forge stronger links with mining industry
“At a practical level, one of the most
beneficial things that mining related
companies can do to help increase
Aboriginal employment and engage with
Aboriginal business is to ensure their
procurement policies require consideration
of any suitably qualified Aboriginal
businesses in any tender.”
On Thursday, March 19, thousands of people across the
country pledged their support to continue “Closing the Gap”
between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the
areas of health and wellbeing.
But just two weeks earlier, the NSW mining
industry had taken its own significant
step in the journey to help close the
employment gap, co-hosting an industry
forum in the Hunter with the NSW
Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.
Valley (Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland,
Cessnock and Upper Hunter), North West
(Gunnedah, Tamworth, Armidale), Illawarra
(Wollongong, Bulli, Dapto, Tahmoor),
Central West (Parkes, Orange, Lithgow)
and Far West (Dubbo, Broken Hill, Cobar).
The packed event brought together
major players in the mining industry
with a range of Aboriginal businesses to
discuss opportunities for procurement and
supporting local Aboriginal employment.
The mining sector was the first industry to
step up and sign one of these agreements
with the government.
Of course, this wasn’t just a token gesture
by the industry – it was part of the ongoing
commitment made through a landmark
industry-based agreement between the
NSW Minerals Council and the State
Government in 2013.
Falling under the NSW Government’s
plan for Aboriginal affairs (OCHRE
– Opportunity, Choice, Healing,
Responsibility and Empowerment), the
industry-based agreement commits the
government and the mining sector to
working together to help boost Aboriginal
employment and increase the engagement
of Aboriginal businesses by the industry.
It will focus on developing initiatives in
NSW mining regions such as the Hunter
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
was also signed with the NSW Indigenous
Chamber of Commerce (NSW ICC) to
assist in engagement with Aboriginal
people and businesses.
At the time both agreements were signed,
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen
Galilee said the industry had been working
for a long time to develop Aboriginal
employment and economic development
opportunities across the state.
“It is important that the NSW mining
industry and NSW Government keep
working closely together to secure some
real outcomes in this important area,”
he said.
“Economic participation lies at the heart
of improving the lives of Aboriginal people
in NSW and we want to ensure that they
share in the long term
benefits that flow from
responsible minerals
development.”
Since signing the
Agreement, a Steering
Committee (with
representatives from
the NSW Minerals
Council, Aboriginal
Affairs, Trade and
Investment NSW, NSW
ICC, NSW Aboriginal
Land Corporation and
Aboriginal Employment
Strategy) has been
working to develop an
Action Plan to deliver the
targeted outcomes.
NSW Minerals Council CEO
Stephen Galilee
But while increasing
Aboriginal employment
levels is a well-intentioned
aim, just how does the
industry achieve that
at a time when tough
economic conditions
are forcing companies
to cut back employees
rather than take on
additional ones.
“The NSW Minerals Council will be
working with its members to identify other
opportunities to assist Aboriginal people
to enter the mining workforce and provide
opportunities for Aboriginal business to win
contracts within the mining supply chain.
Of course there are a number of mining
and mining-related businesses already
working hard to help increase Aboriginal
employment and opportunities for
Aboriginal businesses according to
Ms Barwick.
“There’s a couple that are kicking some
goals as far as employment in NSW,
NSW Minerals Council Policy Director
Greg Sullivan said the Action Plan was
“cognisant of the difficult economic and
employment environment currently facing
the NSW minerals sector”.
“Few companies are currently seeking
to expand their workforce and many are
downsizing, making employment creation
a greater challenge in the short term,”
he said.
“As a result the Action Plan pursues
a medium to long term approach that
implements key programs to build
enterprise capacity and support Aboriginal
employment and enterprise development
to provide opportunities when the industry
cycle improves again.
“At the same time, short-term employment
and enterprise opportunities will
be identified and pursued with any
companies that are in a position to assist,
particularly those with new or expanding
mining projects.”
The plan has four key focus areas:
• Industry capacity building and
knowledge documentation;
• Supporting Aboriginal children in school;
• Developing Aboriginal employment
opportunities; and
• Encouraging Aboriginal enterprise
development opportunities.
And this is where the Mining Forum, held
on March 4 in Pokolbin, comes in.
It was the second such event to be
conducted by the steering committee (the
other, an internally-focused industry forum
in Singleton during June, 2014).
NSW ICC Chairperson Debbie Barwick
said while direct Aboriginal employment
may be more difficult in the current
climate, companies could still contribute
to the overall aim by focusing on
procurement opportunities.
The Mining Forum – and the involvement
of nine Aboriginal businesses and the
NSW ICC in the Hunter Mining Show
trade exhibition from March 12-14 – were
key items on the Action Plan designed
to increase awareness of the capacity
of Aboriginal businesses to supply the
mining industry.
“One of the things that we’ve been
advocating for many years now through
the chamber network is the need to invest
in economic development in Aboriginal
communities as a solution to the high
unemployment and all of the socioeconomic disadvantages that exist in many
communities including in mining-affected
areas,” Ms Barwick said.
a strong focus for Whitehaven Coal and
their Maules Creek Project has been an
opportunity to translate the company’s
commitment into action.
In March, the company exceeded their
voluntary goal of a 10 per cent Indigenous
employment rate, reaching 15.5 per cent,
with 30 Aboriginal people on the Maules
Creek operation.
Paul Flynn, CEO and Managing Director
of Whitehaven Coal says recognising the
disadvantages many Aboriginal people in
the region are facing was a driving force in
Whitehaven Coal committing to supporting
and encouraging the development and
employment of local Aboriginal people,
and opening a meaningful dialogue with
that community.
THE HUNTER VALLEY’S ONE STOP SHOP FOR TORQUE
TOOL SALES, SERVICE, CALIBRAtION AND HIRE
“The genesis of the Maules Creek
employment commitment came from my
initial meetings with the local Councils
when I first came into the role,” Mr
Flynn said.
“They told me they were struggling with
the disproportionate unemployment in the
Aboriginal community, which represented
some eight to nine per cent of the
population in the region.
“It was obvious that with a workforce
yet to be recruited for Maules Creek, we
were not tapping into this of the potential
employment pool.”
NSW Indigenous
Chamber of Commerce
Chairperson Debbie
Barwick (right) at the
Hunter Mining Show
“The industry-based agreement looks at
two things - employment opportunities
and career pathways, and then
also procurement.
“One of the things we find is that as
Aboriginal companies grow and they win a
contract, they’ll tend to employ a majority
Indigenous workforce.
“So it makes sense, especially in the
downturn period when these mining
companies aren’t necessarily employing,
to focus on regular procurement activities
– are there opportunities for Aboriginal
companies to tender and potentially win
contracts in mining.
“There’s a lot of stereotypes, a lot of things
to still break down, and that’s one of the
big barriers, ‘what do Aboriginal people do
in business?’
“Well, we do everything. I think both of the
events were a really great opportunity to
showcase the diversity and the capacity of
Aboriginal businesses.
“What we’d like to see now is more
engagement and support purely because
of what happens from the growth of those
businesses, for our communities.
“It obviously gives people jobs and by
running successful businesses and
creating employment it creates better life
choices for Aboriginal people.”
Mr Sullivan agreed.
“Improving education, work and health
outcomes for Indigenous Australians is one
of our great national challenges,” he said.
“Owing to its operations in regional and
remote Australia, the mining industry
is well placed to make a significant
contribution to closing the gap that
currently exists in terms of opportunities for
Indigenous Australians.
“Getting people into meaningful work is the
best way to tackle social disadvantage.
players like Whitehaven have had some
good numbers of Aboriginal people
employed in the last year and I think
they’re setting some strong targets,”
she said.
“I think others are doing some good
things around traineeships and
graduate programs.
“I think there’s room for a lot more
and I think we really need to consider
procurement as one of the opportunities
because ultimately when we look at the
goals that some of the mining companies
are telling us, that they want to support
Aboriginal people in the local communities
where they’re mining, they can still do
that through procurement – those local
businesses where they win a contract
they’re going to employ the local people
to service it so we would like to see some
more engagement in the procurement
space and I guess pick it up with the
Aboriginal employment space.”
The following is one great example of a
company whose initiatives are making a
difference in the Western Region.
WHITEHAVEN COAL
Indigenous employment has always been
With this knowledge, when Whitehaven
was able to start construction at Maules
Creek, the Indigenous employment
program was a top priority in the
recruitment process.
As well as their own internal program, this
focus has extended beyond Whitehaven,
with the company actively working with its
contractors and suppliers to provide similar
opportunities for Indigenous job seekers
across a broader business community.
Darrin Trindall, a trainee plant operator at
the Maules Creek operation, is an example
of the success the program is having.
Employed late last year as part of
Whitehaven’s Indigenous employment
program, the role was the fulfilment of
a long-held dream of returning to live
and work in his traditional homeland
of Narrabri.
“I have always wanted to be a plant
operator,” Mr Trindall said.
“And when the opportunity with
Whitehaven came up, I went for it.
“I’d spent 12 years working as a nurse
in remote Aboriginal communities in the
Northern Territory, and then went into
civil construction.
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cover feature
“Once I had children, I wanted a career
change, and I have always wanted to
come home to Narrabri, so for me the
opportunity at Whitehaven was a dream
come true.”
While Mr Trindall was grateful for the
opportunity the Indigenous employment
program offered, he wanted to be sure he
was being employed for the right reasons,
not just as a token gesture.
“I didn’t want to get the job on anything
but my own merits,” Mr Trindall said.
“And that’s what is great about
Whitehaven. The Indigenous employment
program isn’t about them just being able
to show a few Aboriginal faces on their
staff list; it’s a really genuine program
where opportunities are created for the
Indigenous community, but we still have to
be qualified and we have to earn the job.”
Now that he is in the job and behind the
wheel, Mr Trindall says the reality is even
better than the dream.
“I love my job,” he said.
“It’s challenging sometimes. People think
you are just driving a big truck from one
spot to another but it’s so much more
than that.
“You have to be on the ball all the time,
there is a lot of multi-tasking, and you
have to be always conscious of safety
issues, but I just love it.”
Mr Trindall says his three boys, Bilay, 9,
Trindall, 7, and Dougamoy, 5 reckon he
has the best job in the world.
“Driving a big truck all day is pretty
impressive to my boys,” he said.
And Darrin says his worries about
suppliers
Derek Talbott
tokenism have been proved
wrong, tenfold.
Website a trading place for
new and used components
“Working at Whitehaven is even better
than I expected,” he said.
“Being employed as part of the Indigenous
employment program, I was worried when
I started that there might be a sort of
‘them and us’ mentality.
To trade clothes, DVDs or
homewares online you would
most likely use eBay.
“I worried that the other people working at
the mine might think I was just handed this
job on a platter because I’m Aboriginal. So
I made it clear from the start that I don’t
want to be treated any differently – I have
to abide to the same rules and policies.
But what do you use to buy and sell new
and used parts from mining equipment?
“I’m just here to work hard and provide for
my family. And it’s great.
“There is no ‘them and us’. That’s why the
retention rate is so good at Whitehaven.
Everyone is really supportive. Everyone is
treated equally.”
This type of workplace equality is at the
heart of the Indigenous employment
program at Whitehaven.
When the company welcomed Mr Trindall
as part of the round of new permanent
employees to their Maules Creek open cut
coal project in August 2014, the company
had a goal of a 10 per cent Indigenous
employment rate.
Whitehaven has now exceeded that
voluntary target, reaching 15.5 per cent,
with 30 Aboriginal people on the Maules
Creek operation.
However for Whitehaven, their Indigenous
employment program is not about
numbers. It’s about people.
Bob Sutherland, Aboriginal Community
Relations officer with Whitehaven Coal
says the program is about “results, not
rhetoric”.
“Whitehaven made the goal of 10 per
cent to reflect the percentages of the local
communities of Narrabri and Gunnedah,”
he said.
“And we have exceeded that. It’s a really
high number by industry standards, but it
was never about setting a percentage as
a goal then sitting back and saying ‘Well,
we’ve done our bit’.
“What’s really positive about Whitehaven –
and what made me decide to take on this
job – is that the whole company sees this
as an integral part of our business.
“Although we are really happy with the
numbers, that’s not what we judge or
success on. We will be judged on the long
term outcomes, and the stories of people
like Darrin are speaking for themselves.”
Bob says that it was Paul Flynn,
Whitehaven’s CEO and Managing Director
who first had the vision.
With the dedication and commitment
of the entire Whitehaven team – both in
management on and the ground – the
ambition has come to life.
“Brian Cole our Executive General
Manager of Project Delivery is very
genuine and passionate about the
issues of Indigenous employment, and
he has worked really hard to make
sure we achieve our outcomes,” Mr
Sutherland said.
“He has gone even further and engaged
with all the contracting companies who
work with Whitehaven and said ‘Ok, this
is what we are doing, tell me what you are
doing about your Indigenous employment
rates’. So it doesn’t just end with us.”
Darren Trindall
Mr Sutherland says along with Mr Flynn
and Mr Cole, the entire management team
have championed the cause.
“Paul Flynn, CEO and Managing Director;
Jamie Frankcombe, our Executive General
Manager of Operations; Peter Wilkinson,
General Manager of Maules Creek; and
Matt Sparkes, Mine Manager of Maules
Creek, are all 100 percent behind the
Indigenous employment program and are
making sure that we deliver,” he said.
Whitehaven says their approach to
Indigenous employment focuses on
practical and meaningful engagement with
the community, and initiating programs
that will address issues affecting Aboriginal
people within the region.
Slay Herro – Outback Global Australia
Pty Ltd showcased his business at
both the Mining Forum and the Hunter
Mining Show
of local Aboriginal people is by offering
the opportunity of stable, long-term
employment and by supporting access to
education – from kindergarten through to
university and mature age.
Ben Hailes, a former employee of heavy
equipment rental firm Orionstone, and
business partner Adrian Vinnicombe
recognised there was a gap in the
marketplace and came up with the idea
of developing a website that would
facilitate the global trade of heavy
equipment components.
Components Only is an online
marketplace for people to buy and
sell new, used, rebuilt and nongenuine components, like engines,
transmissions, exhaust systems, tyres,
rims and ground engaging tools (GET)
found in the mining, earthmoving, road
transport and agricultural industries.
Ben and Adrian have run a number of
successful businesses together in the
past and saw this as a new opportunity.
“The opportunity was really on two
levels,” Ben told Coalface recently.
“The first being essentially there
wasn’t a real medium to trade heavy
equipment components.
To achieve this, they say communication
is the key; effective and open
communication underpinned by a mutual
respect and understanding of each other’s
concerns and reasonable expectations.
It is this mutual respect that has
impressed Mr Trindall so much during his
time at Whitehaven.
Derek Talbott was employed at the same
time as Mr Trindall, working on the Maules
Creek Project then securing work with
Leighton Contractors on the Maules
Creek site.
Components Only founders Adrian
Vinnicombe and Ben Hailes
“Companies have a
lot of capital tied up
in heavy components
and this gives them the opportunity to
get it out there, sell it and get money in
their pockets.”
registered from around the world
including Australia, the US, Germany,
Brazil and the UK.
The site currently has more than 1250
components in its online listings.
Ben’s time working with Orionstone
in the Hunter helped plant the seed
for the website, having observed how
maintenance workers would ordinarily
search for a component.
“It has validated our assumptions
and research and has exceeded our
expectations in terms of where we are
right now,” Ben said.
He said there are a lot of components
out there on the market that people
just don’t know about and don’t know
how to look for, so they have to rely on
third parties.
“When something new comes along and
disrupts the traditional business model,
some people buy into straight away and
others resist because it’s not ‘the way
they have always done it’.
Components Only allows people to
assess all their options on the market.
“Now there is also more competition, but
it expands the market for buyers.
A soft launch was initiated just before
Christmas last year, where suppliers
were introduced to the site and set up
in preparation for when the website
entered the market this year.
“In difficult times it’s far better for people
- suppliers especially - to operate
collectively as that’s where opportunity
is presented.
A number of controls are in place to
ensure the website provides a high
standard of service, including the
requirement for sellers to include a photo
of each product and a price.
He too says the opportunity has been
overwhelmingly positive.
Born and bred in Gunnedah, the search
for work took him further north, and the
role at Whitehaven has given him the
opportunity to come home with his wife
and children.
“The second was
that given the market
conditions we are
experiencing, it’s
providing companies
with the opportunity
to really optimise
their acquisition and
disposal strategies.
The site is accessible on all devices
The business partners have been
surprised by the early take up of
the website, with buyers and sellers
“Our key goal is to be the global
reference point for heavy equipment
components, so the first thing people
search is Components Only.”
For more information visit
www.componentsonly.com.au
components only
“I’m enjoying it,” Mr Talbott said.
“Work has been scarce around here, but
I’m really pleased to be able to come
back home and take full advantage of the
opportunity Whitehaven has given me.
“My whole family including Mum and Nan
are ecstatic about me securing a career in
the mining industry.”
Mr Sutherland said initiatives like this bring
about generational change for people like
Mr Trindall and Mr Talbott.
“These are well paying jobs and that
goes back into the community and allows
families to improve educational and social
opportunities which in turn leads to more
employment opportunities in the future,”
Mr Sutherland said.
Within the next 10 years Whitehaven
expects that Aboriginal people will be
engaged more broadly across roles in the
business, moving beyond operator and
trades and into fields such as engineering,
environmental, safety and training,
and finance.
Whitehaven says this is part of a long
term goal to be a company that Aboriginal
people see as a preferred place of
employment; a work environment where
values such as the Maules Creek values
of ‘Respect, Performance, Discipline,
Commitment, Integrity and Teamwork’ are
considered the norm.
A current initiative has seen Whitehaven
provide sponsorship to the Winanga-Li
Aboriginal Child and Family Development
Centre in Gunnedah to fund bus pick-ups,
ensuring that families and children can
get to Winanga-Li centre and develop
an understanding of the benefits that
school brings.
Whitehaven is also implementing
programs aimed at increasing the
company’s female workforce, and female
Indigenous workforce, working on
strategies to increase those numbers.
The company believes the best way
they can assist in improving the lives
“We have a lot of really positive plans and
I’m excited to be part of it.”
are you at the
cuttingedge
of innovation?
If you are breaking new ground and want people
to know about it, make sure you’re involved in the
Coalface/Rockface June-July innovation feature.
contact us by may 15 to book your space
[email protected]
0429 363 847
“The women can do any job the blokes
can, so we are definitely going to raise
those numbers,” Mr Sutherland said.
mine profile
coal faces
fast facts
Production Engineer
Name: Springvale Colliery
How long have you
been working
in this field?
7 years
First mined: 1995
Type of mine: Underground coal mine
Mining method: Longwall
Location: Western coalfields, approximately 15km northwest of Lithgow
Employees: 310
Coal produced: Approved to produce 4.5 million tonnes of run-of-mine
(ROM) coal per annum. In 2014, Springvale produced over 3.4 million
tonnes of coal.
Customers: Domestic coal is conveyed directly to the nearby Mount Piper
Power Station or transported via rail through the recently upgraded Lidsdale
Siding to other domestic or international customers
Infrastructure: Crushing and sizing facilities
the key to Centennial Coal’s
future in Lithgow
With Angus Place Colliery now in care
and maintenance, Centennial’s focus
in the western region is on ensuring
continuity of its operations at the
Springvale Colliery (Springvale).
Changing face of business keeps
things interesting for Ekin
The current development consent for
Springvale expires on September 30,
2015. To enable operational continuity,
Springvale is seeking approval to
extend the life of the colliery for 25
years, allowing for mining to continue
for a further 13 years.
This would provide ongoing direct
employment for more than 300
people and inject $900 million into
the economy.
people and culture
Acting Mine Manager Graham Pryor
said Springvale is technically complex
because the depth from the surface
to the coal seam is about 400m. That
means the roof is heavy and requires a
lot of steel roof bolts and cable bolts to
hold it up.
“Operating the mine is technically
challenging. The employees are well
qualified in their areas and they enjoy
the challenge that a workplace like this
presents,” he said.
“They’re typical achievers; people who
like to do things and measure their
success by the volume of coal they
produce in a period of time.
“Last year the longwall department
broke the daily, weekly, monthly
and annual production record
for Springvale.
“Only last week the development
department broke the record for the
number of metres mined per week.
Springvale is a successful coal mine,
breaking production records and
importantly achieving this safely.”
innovation
Springvale is currently using the Hilti
rib bolt, which no other colliery in
Australia is using. It was introduced
into Springvale in collaboration with
the supplier.
“The drill steel that drills the hole in the
rib (side) of the tunnel is also the rib
bolt and the system injects resin down
the centre of the drill steel to glue the
bolt into the rib,” Mr Pryor said.
“The same piece of steel that drills the
hole stays in the hole and injects the
resin to fully encapsulate the bolt and
therefore is a very strong rib support.”
Environment and community
Springvale’s mining takes place
under the Newnes Plateau, an area
characterised by diverse environmental
features, such as pagodas, cliff
lines and swamps. Impacts of mine
subsidence are therefore a major focus
for Springvale.
Coalface
Q&A
Name, age,
where you live?
Ekin Eraydin,
28, Gunnedah
Did you grow
up in this area? No, originally from
To address the concerns around
subsidence impacts, Springvale has
implemented mine design criteria that
will ensure impacts to sensitive surface
features are negligible. Initiatives have
included reducing the width of the
longwall panels and, where practically
and economically viable, avoiding
impacts by leaving a block of coal.
Mr Pryor said swamps are a particular
feature that the mine wants to protect
because water from swamps ends
up in the National Park and World
Heritage Area.
Springvale maintains excellent relations
with its surrounding community.
As a company, Centennial contributes
to the local community by sponsoring,
supporting and engaging with
local schools, charities and other
organisations. This includes Celebrate
Lithgow, the Lithgow Flash Gift and the
annual Centennial West Charity Golf
Day, which during the past decade
has raised more than $220,000 for
local charities.
What are your career goals? Pursue
various roles across the business to
gain experience, and build basis to be
able to step into management roles.
And more randomly…
Outside of work, what are your
hobbies and interests during your
free time? My partner and I love
travelling this beautiful country. She is
a pilot and we are planning weekend
trips at the moment.
Have you always
worked in the
mining industry? Yes
Equipment: Longwall, continuous miners and shuttle cars.
Centennial Coal has a long and proud history of mining in Lithgow.
What has been your biggest
career achievement? Sustainably
performing at all aspects of my roles.
Why did
you choose
that field?
What was
the biggest
influence behind
this decision?
Great passion for
working through
the challenges of
multi-disciplinary
problems.
Owner operator: Managed by Centennial Coal on behalf of a joint venture
with SK Kores Australia Pty Ltd.
Springvale Colliery:
Do you enjoy working in the mining
industry? Feeling lucky to be working
with great people with outstanding
focus on safety and production.
Europe. Lived and worked at Hunter
Valley before moving to Gunnedah.
Where do you work and how long
have you been there? Tarrawonga
Mine, 9 months.
What is your job title? Senior
We started a new rock band with two
colleagues from Tarrawonga and are
planning to have our first gig in the
next few months.
What sort of things
do you do on a dayto-day basis? Mine
design and schedule
of multi seam open
cut operation of
cast, dozer push and
excavator/trucks.
Focus on reconciliation and
continuous improvement.
What’s your favourite all time song
and why?
All Along the Watch Tower – Bob
Dylan. Song was successfully
covered on my favourite TV
show “Battlestar Galactica” by
Bear McCready.
What do you love about your
current role? I really enjoy ever
changing face of the business. There
is always something to improve on,
love to challenge the status quo.
What are the challenges of the
role? The role requires continuous
focus on a day-to-day basis whilst
achieving mid to long term targets.
What would be your ideal holiday?
Travel and seeing long distance family
and friends.
Who’s the most famous person
you’ve ever met? Kemal Dervis –
Former UNDP president.
What is your most prized
possession? My passport and my
TD30KV Electronic Drum kit.
Health and safety
“Safety is critical to Springvale’s
success and every employee is put
through a Step Change safety course,
which impresses the importance of
safety,” Mr Pryor said.
“The need to work safely is a message
instilled into our employees throughout
their career.
“Safety is measured by a lost time
injury frequency rate (LTIFR), which at
Springvale has continued to decrease.
“Fewer people are getting injured. It’s
not perfect and ideally we would like
the lost time injury rate to be zero,
however, the figure is on a positive
downward trend.”
the more you discover
the more we recover
at SUEZ environnement, we understand the value
of natural resources both above and below ground
future outlook
Mr Pryor said timely approval of the
extension project is critical.
Mining is a significant economic pillar
in the Lithgow community. Mining
operations have occurred in the area
for more than 100 years and over
15 per cent of the people living in
the Lithgow region are employed
in mining.
We provide seamless solutions
across the water and waste
sectors for the mining and
resources industry.
“If a timely planning approval is
not achieved, there would be an
immediate impact on the local
economy,” he said.
“Springvale is the natural supplier of
coal to Mount Piper Power Station,
therefore any delay achieving a
planning approval would impact
Springvale’s continuity of mining,
which has implications for both local
employment and coal supplies to the
power station.
“Centennial is working very hard with
Government to ensure Springvale’s
long term future.”
ready for the resource revolution
For information contact Todd Armstrong,
Business Development Manager:
Mining and Resources on +61 427 803 155
or [email protected]
all SUEZ environnement companies are now one
SITA Australia, Degrémont, Process Group and 40 other water and waste
companies across the globe have joined forces to become SUEZ environnement.
whs & training
sustain
Done
and dusted
Safety alert highlights
ignition risk from hot drilling
into flammable gases
Mine Safety NSW is advising mine sites about the risk of hot
drilling into enclosed spaces or voids where the build-up of
flammable gases could ignite.
The alert follows an investigation into
a safety incident at a mine site early
in 2014 where a tradesman suffered
burns to his hand after drilling into
the top of a large steel counterweight
with a battery drill.
The worker was trying to relieve
pressure to the counterweight, as
a number of bulges in the steel
were identified.
Repair instructions from the
counterweight’s original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) were requested
however the incident took
place before these instructions
were delivered.
As the drill passed through the steel
it caused an uncontrolled release of
hydrogen gas stored under pressure
in the counterweight, which ignited
as it passed the hot drill bit.
The tradesman was not wearing
gloves and suffered second-degree
burns to his right hand.
An investigation into the incident
identified that the chemical
reaction between the steel and the
moisture in the concrete used in the
counterweight generates hydrogen,
which when it cannot escape, builds
pressure and deforms the steel.
After the incident a number of
measures were implemented at the
mine, including development of a
safe work procedure for hot drilling
into sealed compartments potentially
holding flammable gases, using an
air and remote operated drill and
undertaken pre-drilling tests to prove
the temperature reached would not
ignite the hydrogen gas.
Following the investigation Mine
Safety is urging mines to review
plant and structures and identify if
there are enclosed spaces that have
the potential for pressure build of
explosive gases.
OEMs are also urged to review their
plant designs for potential risk of gas
build-up and where a risk is present,
implement risk control measures
and information for users on how to
manage them.
For more information visit www.
resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au
Crush injury management
Innovative dust
solution to produce
long-term results.
New apprentices kickstart
mining career with Glencore
Seven new apprentices
have been given a foot in
door of the mining industry
after recently commencing
training with Glencore.
recruited to Glencore operations in
the Western and Southern Regions.
The seven electrical, plant mechanic
(heavy), fabrication and auto
electrical apprentices have joined
Glencore’s Ulan operation near
Mudgee, with three working at Ulan
No.3 Underground and four at Ulan
West Underground.
After the first six to eight months
they will work at the mine full-time
and in their second and third years
will move from site to site as well
as gaining experience with some
of the companies who supply
Glencore’s equipment.
All apprentices have been recruited
locally from within Mudgee
and Gulgong.
There are currently 112 apprentices
in Glencore’s NSW apprentice
program and 94 in Queensland.
More than 1360 people applied for
this year’s NSW apprentice intake,
with an additional nine apprentices
Each year Glencore invests more
than $1 million toward the training
and education of apprentices.
develop mining industry guidelines on
the treatment of crush injuries.
released from a prolonged period
of compression.
So what is a ‘crush injury’? Crush
injuries occur because of the pressure
from a heavy object onto a body
part, or the squeezing of a body part
between two objects.
The following treatment guidelines
are recommended:
It is critical that paramedics and
mining teams co-ordinate their
efforts to care for casualties of crush
injury to minimise significant blood
loss and prevent renal and cardiac
complications.
If it is safe and physically possible, all
crushing forces should be removed
from the casualty as soon as possible.
Crush injuries rarely occur within local communities, but
unfortunately they do sometimes occur in mining environments.
Given the low incident rate, previously
there has been no clear guidance for
industry on the management of crush
injuries or recommended treatments.
For the last two years, Mines Rescue
has consulted with Professor Paul
Middleton from the Australian
Resuscitation Council (NSW branch) to
The treatment required for casualties
trapped for less than one hour is
different from prolonged events
extending over one hour.
If the situation continues for more than
one hour, the casualty may suffer from
crush syndrome.
Crush syndrome is a shock-like
state, caused by toxins entering the
blood stream. This occurs after being
Public given the chance to help shape code
Feedback from the NSW mining industry will be used to finalise a new draft code of practice.
NSW Mine Safety has called for
comment on the draft Electrical
Engineering Control Plan, which
explains how to prepare, implement
and review an electrical engineering
control plan at a mine to manage the
risks associated with the electrical
aspects of plant and installations.
Senior Inspector of Electrical
Engineering Owen Barry hosted a
number of industry-specific forums
across the state to discuss the
code during March, before public
submissions close on Tuesday,
April 7.
This code will supplement the NSW
Apprentices commence training offsite at Mudgee TAFE to gain basic
skills and safety awareness while
spending some time on-site.
Code of Practice: Safety Management
Systems in Mines that provides
general guidance on establishing
a safety management system for
a mine.
Feedback is sought on whether the
draft code is helpful and easy to
understand; reflects current state
• Under 1 hour - crush injury:
• first aid (DRSABCD)
• stop obvious blood loss
• remove force ASAP
• pain relief
• treat fractures
• Over 1 hour - crush syndrome:
• first aid (DRSABCD)
• stop obvious blood loss
• remove force under controlled
environment with paramedics
• Post release - renal failure:
• The casualty will
require hospitalisation.
Please contact your local Mines
Rescue station for more detailed
information.
But a new product created by
an Australian dust management
company may provide an alternate
solution, particularly in areas where
access to water is limited.
“The Zero product’s crystal clear,
free flowing, odorless chemistry
has been formulated to meet the
highest standards of environmental
regulations globally,” Mr Handel said.
Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST)
have released a product dubbed
the ‘Zero’ - a spray-on long-term
dust control that can be used where
watering programs are not possible.
“It has penetrating and aggregating
properties that allow the Zero solution
to permeate into the individual fine
particles, weighing them down so
they are unable to be blown away
as dust.
“The Zero product’s unique formula
creates a long term, re-workable
solution that doesn’t evaporate
or freeze.”
Government opens floodgates on access to water information
Millions of dollars will be poured into programs to more
effectively map groundwater resources across the state.
The NSW Government is spending an
additional $23 million to expand the
State’s water monitoring network in
both deep and shallow groundwater
sources across regional NSW.
into the recently launched “Our
Water” website and free WaterLive
mobile app, putting interactive
maps, facts, figures and tables at the
community’s fingertips.
This will include the installation of 70
new groundwater monitoring bores
in priority areas across NSW, starting
with the Gunnedah, Gloucester and
Clarence Moreton basins
NSW Minister for Water, Lands and
Natural Resources Kevin Humphries
said water was the “lifeblood of
communities across the state”.
Data from these bores is being fed
“The NSW Government is expanding
the information collected from mapping
and monitoring water resources at over
5000 monitoring sites throughout NSW
covering both rivers and groundwater,”
he said.
“The expanded water monitoring
continues the NSW Government’s
commitment to expand its
groundwater monitoring network from
a previous focus of monitoring in
irrigation areas to include deep bores.”
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said
landholders and water users were
“hungry for access to this type
of information”.
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“While the groundwater monitoring
has historically focused on water levels
and pressures, this monitoring will
be expanded to include water quality
information at many more sites across
NSW,” he said.
“This information will allow people
living in areas such as the Gunnedah
Basin to monitor and investigate
activity within the basin and see
how water is being used across all
extractive industries.”
For more information, visit
www.ourwater.nsw.gov.au
Parkes Hydraulic Services
Pty Ltd design hydraulic
systems and special
purpose machinery to meet
the needs of industry.
Being a privately owned company and operating in Parkes NSW for the past
21 years mining has played a key part of the company supplying hydraulic
sales, service, repair and manufacture. One of the special designs developed
and manufactured is a Quick Hitch Cable Reeler attachment to suit IT
Caterpillar, Volvo and Manitou Loaders with in excess of 40 units now in
operation.
In January 2013 a Western
Australian UG Electrical
department identified a
safer and more cost effective
way to strip and reclaim
unused and unwanted cable
from their older UG mines,
reducing manual handling
and potential injuries.
The old method of
reclaiming used cable from
the UG operations was very
manually intensive and an
expensive waste of electrical cable. In a period from January 2013 to October
2013 the department reclaimed and re-used over $280,000 worth of electrical
cable in the UG mine/s.
of knowledge and technological
developments in relation to managing
the risks of electricity and has an
appropriate level of information.
More details can be found on the
NSW Mine Safety website at www.
resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/
miners-and-explorers/safety-andhealth/legislation/consultation
Zero suppresses the dust
immediately without producing
an odour, creating slipperiness or
affecting application equipment or
the environment.
RST operations and technical
director David Handel said it requires
no water for application, has a
cumulative effect with maintenance
applications and requires no ongoing
watering program.
Information provided by Jim Delaney
from Hunter Valley Mines Rescue.
Miners are also being asked for more
specific feedback on a number of
sections within the code.
Finding a way to suppress dust
created by mining activities is a
constant challenge for Hunter
mine sites.
integratednoisemanagement.com.au
Make a start...
02 4924 5400
There are many options available for the 400-4 MK IV for Sales Enquires
please contact the Team on (02) 6862 5885
or email [email protected]
If OIL fLOwS THrOugH IT, we DO IT!
www.parkeshydraulics.com
community
- SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT -
Communities benefit from
environmental Monitoring Accreditation
competence and equipment amongst
other things,” he said.
More than ever before, mining operations
are under constant scrutiny – from the
communities they operate within to the
wider general public and the government
bodies that regulate their operations.
“Mining has the potential for substantial
environmental impacts and so any testing
undertaken as part of an environmental
management plan must be timely, accurate
and defensible.”
For environmental monitoring service
providers, undergoing NATA accreditation
via a third party, objective, peer review
process at a scientific/technical level
provides assurance to their customers
of the laboratory or inspection body’s
capability to produce reliable outputs.
“By holding accreditation, a company
can demonstrate to potential customers
that it meets rigorous assessment criteria
as verified through third party peer
assessment,” Mr Shepherd said.
The need to maintain high environmental
standards is paramount to ensuring
they retain their social – and regulatory –
licences to operate.
Mining has the potential
for substantial environmental
impacts and so any testing
undertaken as part of an
environmental management
plan must be timely, accurate
and defensible.
One of the major challenges for any mining
operation is the control of air quality issues
on site.
Open cut mines, quarries, ports and
stockpiles can all contribute significantly to
environmental dust concentrations.
Blast operations and gas emissions
have to be consistently monitored for
several reasons.
If something goes wrong, the negative
impact on the environment, the health
and the safety of the work force and the
community at large can be enormous
and long lasting. Reputations can also
be affected.
As a result, reliable environmental
monitoring is a crucial part of any mine
operation and compliance with regulatory
standards is non-negotiable.
Mining companies need to know that the
companies they utilise to provide expertise
and equipment in the field of environmental
monitoring understand the sensitive
nature of the mining industry and enforce
stringent processes in monitoring to meet
regulatory standards.
One way of achieving this is by doing
business with companies that have been
NATA (National Association of Testing
Authorities, Australia) accredited.
NATA is the authority responsible for the
accreditation of laboratories, inspection
bodies, calibration services, producers of
reference materials and proficiency testing
scheme providers throughout Australia.
NATA Sector Manager - Life Sciences
Neil Shepherd said NATA accreditation
underpins the results of testing
because the accredited laboratory has
demonstrated technical competence for
those methods for which accreditation
is held.
“The assessment process includes peer
technical evaluation of methods, staff
For a mining company, obtaining
independent confirmation that material
specifications are being met, that their
plant and equipment are safe and reliable
and hazardous substances are under
control, makes their business more robust
and gives customers’ confidence and
regulators reason to let them to get on
with business.
Mr Shepherd said NATA accreditation
was formally recognised by the Federal
Government as contributing to the health
and wellbeing of all Australians by its
facilitation of a reliable test, measurement
and inspection infrastructure.
“Reliable testing is important in any
industry, where potential damage to the
environment or impact on human health or
quality of living is possible,” he said.
“Any company should look to identify the
most robust processes and utilising the
services of a NATA accredited facility goes
to achieving this goal.”
It’s not until this process has been
completed to the satisfaction
of NATA that we are able to
make the claim of being a NATA
accredited provider.
Our customers can be assured that
the services provided by Ecotech
have been subjected to a rigorous,
ongoing audit and inspection process.
We have also learnt over the years
that having an independent review of
our methods gives us an opportunity
to learn and improve based on
the broad range of experiences
and expertise that NATA’s pool of
technical assessors provide.
Whilst the NATA review and audit
process can be exhausting, the end
result is always a net positive for our
people, our processes and in turn
our customers.
Having gained so much from this
They can have peace of mind the
data they are depending on is of the
highest quality and conforms to the
stated accuracy and purpose.
In today’s self-regulated environment,
where public scrutiny of a company’s
environmental performance is
never far from the headlines, having
a NATA accredited organisation
providing critical compliance data is
very comforting.
These days, with ever tightening
regulations and increasing
consequences of non-compliance,
businesses are making critical
operational decisions based on their
environmental monitoring data.
There is just too much at stake within
and external to the organisation
to make these decisions on
questionable data.
We find that customers are
increasingly looking to reassure their
communities that the environmental
data they are disseminating has
been subjected to an independent
assessment process, which is
precisely what a NATA accredited
organisation can provide.
Ecotech is one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of environmental
monitoring solutions. With roots in
air quality, Ecotech has grown to
offer tailored solutions in dust, water,
blast and emissions monitoring. With
extensive experience across varied
Mudgee golf pro Peter Mayson said
the sell-out event on February 6 was
a “ripper day” with a full field of 160
people, plus 230 people in attendance
at the dinner.
Both Mudgee Hospital and Pioneer
House received $10,000 while Mudgee
Juniour golf received $2000 and
$1000 went towards the Mudgee
Men’s Shed.
But the real success was the final
fund-raising tally, which reached a
record $23,000.
Peter said the golf tournament, which
is now in its fourth year, was again
popular with teams loving the unique
six-person ambrose-style format,
which saw everyone finish the course
within five hours.
“That was the biggest amount we
have ever raised, which was fantastic,”
Peter said.
Written by Nicholas Dal Sasso
Managing Director, Ecotech.
high risk industry sectors such as
mining, Ecotech is recognised for
its turn-key solutions from design,
manufacture, supply, service and
maintenance. Ecotech is Australian
owned, ISO 9001, NATA accredited for
ISO 17025 and is recognised for high
quality cutting edge environmental
monitoring equipment across
the globe and is a winner of the
prestigious Victorian export award.
For more information visit:
www.ecotech.com
The winning team on
the day consisted of
Matthew and Steven
Consodine, Jason Seis,
Dean Riley, Jed Coghlan
and Jed Mullen, who all
received a new driver
valued at $620 each.
Peter said preparations
for next year will kick off
around August with all
players from this year given first priority
to reserve their spot again in 2016.
For the first time Moolarben Coal
The Moolarben team with Peter Sterling
was the event’s major sponsor - a
partnership that will continue through
to 2017.
Construction underway at Mudgee’s new million-dollar preschool
More children will soon have
access to early childhood
education following the start
of construction at a new million
dollar preschool and childcare
facility in Mudgee.
Once complete the centre will cater
for 40 children per day, providing up
to 200 additional preschool places in
the community.
The centre, which is being funded
Work begins with Watermark funding
The final round from Shenhua Watermark’s Community
Fund has now been put into place, with a total of 19 projects
sharing in the $1 million pool of funding.
The most recent
funding saw the
Westpac Rescue
Helicopter Service
receive $30,000 for
the installation of a
gantry crane.
through the NSW Government’s
$20 million Restart NSW Cobbora
Transition Fund, will help ease the
region’s shortage of preschool and
childcare places.
Cr Kennedy said the facility will also
create 13 ongoing jobs while utilising
local suppliers and injecting money
back into the local economy during the
construction period.
According to Mid-Western Regional
Council Mayor Des Kennedy, this has
been a major issue in the region for a
long time.
Deputy Premier and Chair of the
Cobbora Transition Fund Troy Grant said
the project will deliver economic growth
and productivity for the region.
“We’ve been keeping a very close eye
on this. For the last few years, there has
been just one place available for every
five children in the 0-4 years category,”
he said.
“This is a win for the local community,
generating jobs for the town in addition
to providing a first class preschool facility
for generations to come,” he said.
“I’m very proud of this project after all
council’s hard work to provide a solution.
“We are thrilled that Restart NSW has
recognised the importance of the project
and provided $1 million funding through
the Cobbora Transition Fund.”
A sod turning ceremony was held on
February 20 to commemorate the official
start of construction of the facility by the
Lynch Construction Group.
The centre will be operated by Gowrie,
with enrolments anticipated to open late
this year ready for 2016.
Kevin Anderson MP and staff from the Westpac Rescue
Helicopter, Shenhua Watermark and Graincorp.
The crane, which
was installed in
February, enhances
the safety for
their engineers
and reduces
any downtime
associated with
maintenance of the aircraft.
Meanwhile the Rotary Club of
Gunnedah received $243,690
towards the completion of the
Gunnedah Riverine Improvement
Scheme including funds to
plant trees and install fencing
and bollards to help secure the
riverbank area.
With 16 years of experience with the NATA accreditation process, we understand just how
important the NATA system of external audit and peer review process is.
process, we also sponsor two of our
own technical experts to assist NATA
in the technical assessment of others
within our industry.
This year’s Moolarben Celebrity Golf Classic has proven to be a
major shot in the arm for the Mudgee community.
“There is an advantage to the customers
of accredited facilities that they know
that testing undertaken that is covered
by the scope of accreditation has been
peer reviewed and found to meet the
accreditation criteria.”
NATA accreditation key assurance of quality
Being NATA accredited means our
systems and processes have been
subjected to the highest level of
independent scrutiny.
Moolarben celebrity golf classic a hole in one for Mudgee
The funds are allowing the club to
complete Stage 3 of the Riverine
Project and make headway
into Stage 4, which will see the
riverbank area of the Namoi River
protected and beautified.
Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and
Family Centre received $235,000 to
support the building of an additional
community room.
Plans for the new room are currently
with the council awaiting approval,
which will allow the centre to make
further progress towards closing the
gap on indigenous health outcomes
and deliver increased services
to disadvantaged children and
their families.
KURRI COALFACE
PEDAL
ROTARY CLUB OF KURRI KURRI
40 Years
SATURDAY 16TH MAY
STARTS 8AM
PELAW MAIN SCHOOL
DISTANCES 20KM, 40KM AND 60KM
FAMILY RIDE 5KM
INCORPORATING THE
Other recipients include Gunnedah
Public School, which received
$54,954 for the installation of a new
kitchen in the school hall; Werris
Creek & District Pre-School, which
received $27,500 to upgrade their
outdoor playground equipment;
Quirindi Rural Heritage Village
Design, which received $25,852
to construct and operate a model
railway based on NSW State
Railway from 1930s; and Red Chief
Aboriginal Land Council, which
received $10,000 to remodel the
Keeping Gallery.
The company established the
Watermark Community Fund as
part of its exploration license in
2009, committing $5 million to
support the development of local
educational programs, medical
programs, indigenous programs and
environmental programs.
Shenhua Australia Chairman Liu
Xiang, said the company believes
all of the projects will make a
meaningful and lasting difference on
the local community.
“UNDER LIGHTS”
FRIDAY 15TH MAY
START AND FINISH STATION HOTEL KURRI
RIDE STARTS 5PM FINISH
7.30PM UP TO 30KM RIDE FOLLOWED BYACOCKTAIL PARTY.
COST
FRIDAY $30 KNIGHT RIDE
SATURDAY $60 FAMILY , $50 SOLO, FAMILY 5 KM $20
ENTRY FORMS CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM
www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/events
OR AVAILABLE AT STATION HOTEL KURRI
PRESENTATION STATION HOTEL
SPONSORED BY
ROTARY CLUB OF KURRI KURRI
02 4937 1007
tools & toys
lifestyle
Drill rigs reloaded for added safety
Safety and versatility were at the core of an upgrade to Atlas
Copco’s Boomer M-series drill rigs.
The one or two-boom Boomer
M-series drill rigs, used for
underground mining and tunneling,
have been “reloaded” with a range
of enhancements and are now
available worldwide.
MORE INFORMATION:
award winning rig control system. In
Australian field trials the enhancements
have returned top ratings for
productivity, longer service intervals
and lower operating costs.
The reloaded M-series rigs are
equipped with COP 1838HD+ rock
drills and come with a robust hydraulic
control system or, as an option,
the RCS 5.
These include stronger
booms, a new filtration
system, increased safety
features and Atlas Copco’s
Atlas Copco | 1300 366 880
www.atlascopco.com.au
Genie comes to the rescue
Genie Australia has gone to
new heights, literally, with
the launch of its new Z-60/34
articulating boom lift.
MORE INFORMATION:
[email protected]
www.genieindustries.com.au
Tape gets the measure of any job
Wildlife Under the Waves
by Jürgen Freund and Stella Chiu-Freund
Award-winning husband
and wife team Jürgen and
Stella Freund have been
documenting the rich
biodiversity of the oceans for
several decades.
They have encountered hundreds
of species; everything from the
tiny pea-sized pygmy seahorses to
humpback whales as big as a house,
from gentle dugongs to deadly
saltwater crocodiles.
Divers, snorkelers and wildlife
enthusiasts will appreciate the
Freunds’ stunning photographs with
their lively, informative captions.
They offer an insight into a world
rarely seen – a world with vibrant
coloured fish, corals, perfectly
camouflaged octopuses, poisonous
sea snakes and magnificent whale
sharks, where fascinating behaviour
and symbiotic relationships exist.
Wildlife Under the Waves shows
some of the highlights of the authors’
travels in the Coral Triangle, Australia
and the Pacific: in coral reefs,
In the site workshop or around the home, Lufkin’s
Multiread tapes really measure up.
The best thing about mulloway is that
you can target them without having
a boat - by beach, rock or generally
fishing from shore.
www.apextoolgroup.com.au
The 778-kW Cat engine powers
advanced hydraulics, delivering
industry-leading system efficiency.
Do you need more power to
jack up your haul track for
on‑site maintenance?
With a 22-tonne payload and two
additional seats for a trainer and
observer, this three seat cab is first
in this size class of shovels.
MORE INFORMATION:
WesTrac Newcastle | 02 4964 5000
www.westrac.com.au
They love structure so knowing your
area is important. Look for eddies,
reefs with steep drop-offs, bridge
pylons, wharves and big gutters
on the beach - they like breaking
swell, using the foam and white water
for protection.
Tips and techniques for
mastering the mighty mulloway
According to reports, local waters are providing great fishing for
the might mulloway or Jewfish as it is also commonly known.
The one in this picture is an estimated
40kg caught by my good mate Michael
Guest from Reel Action Tv.
It’s a huge specimen and was caught
on a breakwall at the north coast of
NSW, using a live bait suspended under
fish it would be spin rod in the 6-8kg
range with 15lb braid. You will then
need to adjust leader size for the
different territory.
Bait and rigs
My bait of choice would have to be
squid, as fresh as possible or even
better still, alive.
On the beach it’s hard to beat live
beach worms. I remember a few years
back when I was fishing up the north
coast, we’d been out snapper fishing
and had some livies being slimies and
yellow tail left over.
Just on dark we cast the livies into
one area off a breakwall that had a
deep hole. In three casts we had three
mulloway; a tide change coinciding with
sunset helping make it happen.
Mulloway are a schooling fish and you
will find that during the daylight hours
they hold up out of current and away
from bright light.
New hydraulic
mining shovel
The shovel features a new cab and
operator station with increased
visibility provided by a larger floor
window and expansive windshield
and side windows.
New Holland Publishing,
RRP: $29.99
Wildlife Under the Waves - Jürgen
If you want to check out the action
yourself, grab a copy of the series two
dvd at reelactiontv.com or look up
reelactiontv on YouTube.
MORE INFORMATION:
Caterpillar has improved visibility on its hydraulic mining
shovel with their latest release – a 22 tonne 6020b
hydraulic shovel.
Freund and Stella Chiu-Freund
The tackle used was way under its
fighting weight for a fish this size and it
took some great angling skills to boat
this one that was for sure.
Available in six metre or nine metre metric,
it retails from $35.
Heavy hitter takes hassle
out of lifting
Jürgen’s splitlevel photographs
beautifully illustrate
just how much is
hidden under the
waves, and this
book gives us a
glimpse of some of
the best that our
oceans have to offer.
I was told it was an epic battle all the
way to the boat, with some screaming
runs along the rock wall.
The tape also features a centre scale that
compensates for the length of the case, while
its white blade and hi-vis casing means you’ll
never misplace your tape again.
Ideal for use in mining, construction
and other industries, the Z-60/40
also features the Genie Fast Mast
boom system that allows operators
to descend to retrieve tools and
materials, then quickly return back to
working height.
There are
mesmerising images
of glimmering
shoals, and aweinspiring dives.
a bobby cork on the run out tide.
Built for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts with
a compact design that allows for easy retraction
at the touch of a finger, the wide ended hooks
make holding and precision marking easier than
ever before.
The Z-60/40 has been designed
to enhance maneuverability and
serviceability for customers, with Genie
adding increases to the working height,
horizontal outreach and vertical rotation,
while decreasing the overall weight of
the product.
mangroves, the open
ocean and above
the surface.
In the lake systems I have personally
found that low light periods and the
change in tide are key aspects of
targeting the fish.
The rig for fishing livies is a two hook
snooded rig. I like to have one hook
lightly pinned at the back of the head
and the other just in front of the tail.
Lures and plastics
Soft Vibes in the tranzam style is my
pick of the bunch, while 7” in soft
plastic Jerk Shads made by Berkley is
my pick in a range of colours.
There are many ways to fish for
mulloway and many styles you can use,
depending on your area.
If you can find this as well as some
structure holding bait you have
increased your chances.
The above are a few tips and things I
have learnt while chasing these fish,
which are not only a great sport but
good for the table as well.
Tackle
Well this depends on the territory
you are fishing, but generally if I had
to choose one outfit to target these
Tight lines,
The Alfabs Group
Bugs in Close-Up by Colin Hutton
Enerpac’s new portable selfcontained Pow’R-LOCKTM hydraulic
jacking system is rated for heavy
lifts up to 181 tonnes and features
full-time automatic load holding
protection for optimum safety
in operation.
“Bugs can appear very strange, with many looking more like aliens than inhabitants of Earth.
With their bulging eyes and triangular heads, some of these bugs have faces very reminiscent
of an extraterrestrial.”
It utilises a control system that
maintains the position of a rotating
locking collar near the cylinder
base, providing a mechanical lock
regardless of cylinder movement and
control cycle.
and compact 700 bar (10,000 psi)
hydraulic cylinder and an air-driven
hydraulic pump unit with complete
valving and control systems.
The system integrates into a rugged
mobile cart with a high capacity
(02) 9743 8988
www.enerpac.com/en-au
MORE INFORMATION: Enerpac
So says Colin Hutton, the author
and photographer behind Bugs
in Close-Up, a collection of more
than 200 stunning images of some
of nature’s most intriguing and
bizarre‑looking creatures.
Using his macro lens to transport
viewers into the tiny world of insects
and spiders, Colin Hutton creates
surprisingly expressive portraits of
these strange and lovely animals that
are often feared or overlooked.
This book gives readers a chance to
see this hidden world by revealing the
true face of bugs.
Some of the images presented here
show bugs that live deep within
tropical forests, but the majority
depicts common creatures that can be
found in backyards.
Regardless of size, most of these
creatures are rarely noticed when
people pass by, and if they are; the
reaction is usually either apathy
or fear.
We rely on macro photography to get
a glimpse into the hidden, awesome
world of bugs.
Bugs in Close-Up – Colin Hutton
New Holland Publishing, RRP: $29.99
savour
lifestyle
The World of Classic Tractors – Ian M. Johnston
Do the sights and
sounds of a vintage
piece of farm
machinery get your
motors running? Then
this book could be
for you!
In The World of Classic
Tractors, internationally
acclaimed tractor authority
and author Ian M. Johnston
skillfully blends and portrays
the many facets pertaining to
the realm of classic tractors.
to a range of fascinating
tractors and invited to share
a few of the author’s personal
recollections drawn from
tractor experiences extending
over half a century.
The World of Classic Tractors
is an acknowledgement of
the protagonists of early
farm machinery and their
contemporaries who, in the
new century, continued with
the pursuit of improvement
and innovation.
This new book contains a
wealth of photographs of rare
and unusual tractors, with
many of them accompanied
by text of significant
historical prominence.
This is a book for those who
have a regard for classic
tractors and a desire to
further an acquaintance
with them.
The World of Classic Tractors
– a fascinating insight into
their evolution!
Guilt-free Easter indulgence
Easter is here, complete with its tempting array of aromatic hot
cross buns and deliciously smooth and creamy chocolate eggs.
But if you don’t want the Easter
Bunny’s visit to leave your high vis
shirt buttons popping from all the
festive foods you eat, why not get
your chocolate fix by making up a
batch of these heavenly – yet healthy
– Chocolate Nut Balls.
Ingredients
Ian M. Johnston
200g raw almonds
New Holland Publishers.
RRP $35
30g sunflower seeds
30g pumpkin seeds
50g coconut
The reader is introduced
100g dates
¼ cup cocoa
50g of 70% dark chocolate
Social media delving deep into industry
For those who think the mining industry is pretty
impressive, there is nothing better than seeing
pictures of different pits, machines, and people
from around the world.
The best place to find this
is on Instagram – why not
check out this list of some
of the best, compiled by
Mining Australia.
Nedraweek
Nedraweek is a mining
publication out of Russia.
The account does a great job
of picking up photos posted
by people in the sector and
republishing them.
From dirty coal covered
faces, to shots of UG
shearers to phenomenal
blasting videos - this one
Whether it’s backpacking around
Europe, driving a Volkswagen Kombi
around Australia or dedicating each
Sunday to travelling somewhere new in
their four-wheel drive - the couple are
always chasing their next adventure.
So it was no surprise that Karstan
Miningpeopleinternational
Heavyequipment
Real mining workers from
around Australia, with some
handling snakes on site!
For photos of trucks on
fire, fallen over dozers and
broken cranes – this is the
ground up with the four other teams.
Karstan, a former Lithgow resident
who now lives in Newcastle, had
been working at Yancoal’s Austar coal
mine in Cessnock up until starting on
the show.
The now 27-year-old had been at the
mine for three years as a miner driver
and also worked with Mines Rescue
as a brigadesman. Just before he left
was also in the middle of studying his
deputy’s course, but he had to put that
on hold too.
Shutupanddig
The best of iron ore mining
photos from the Pilbara. This
account even features time
lapse videos of trucks at
work; very impressive!
back into the mine. In the meantime
he’s been busy keeping up with orders
on the couple’s new home decor
business, Poppy Smith Design.
The business is named after Karstan’s
grandfather, ‘Poppy Smith’.
“He started in the underground
mines at 14 back when pit ponies
were still used in the mines,” Karstan
told Coalface.
It was a big risk leaving a good job,
but Karstan said being on the show
“was an experience money can’t buy”.
“He was someone who couldn’t
exactly read or write but was really
good with his hands and could find a
way to make anything you said. That’s
fitting because it’s kind of what I’m
doing now.”
Thanks to the show they have learnt
plenty of new skills to apply at home,
which will come in handy as the couple
look to buy their first house.
Poppy Smith Design make a range
of quirky home décor pieces, from
concrete planters to lights, plants and
bookshelves.
Fittingly, the house they’re looking
at is an old miner’s cottage and is a
“renovator’s dream”.
Their online shop also features
products from other small local
businesses, including The Timber
Trend, and business has been
going gangbusters.
“Before there was things we would
have had to pay people to do, but now
we can do most of it ourselves.”
During the show the couple were away
for more than three months filming and
doing touch ups on their apartment.
They then endured a massive 1200km
walk from Melbourne back to Jayco
Newcastle to raise $1200 for the
Starlight Children’s Foundation.
To top it off, they got married in the
middle of it all too!
Now they’re home and things have
settled down, Karstan is hoping to get
“I keep selling out of the lighting stuff
and that’s the fun bit, doing things that
aren’t really out there,” Karstan said.
“We started simple doing the concrete
planters but we’re now venturing
into stuff that others might be scared
to tackle, like concrete lighting,
concrete furniture.
“The small things are fun but it is
good to make the bigger things and
push boundaries.”
Head to Karstan and Max’s blog
- www.thediscoverytales.com.
au – to read all about the couple’s
latest adventures.
1. In a food processor, combine the
almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower
seeds, dates, chocolate, cocoa,
INGREDIENTS
Ale brings back golden memories
Think back to a moment as a
teen when you were a massive
fan of something.
Remember the old news reels showing a
screaming teen girl, deliriously clutching
the back of a car carrying the Beatles …
well that was me two years ago with the
brewers of Two Birds Golden Ale.
Attending a beer-related event, I spied
the eponymous two birds, Jayne and
Danielle, leaving the establishment
where I had enjoyed a few crafty beers.
Rushing over to catch them before
they disappeared out of my life forever,
I gushed about how great their golden
ale was and how I could only dream of
brewing such a gorgeous sensation of
a beer.
They politely thanked me and went
on their way before I could further
embarrass them or myself with my teenlike beer crush.
Two Birds Golden Ale is just that, golden
and delicious. To my taste buds, it is
close to brewing perfection.
Looking for some inspiration
when planning your Easter
feast? There’s no better way
to celebrate than grilling up
some fish on the barbecue!
As much as I love fish, the smell of
it lingers in the kitchen and is not a
particularly pleasant smell after the fact,
especially for those in the family who
aren’t fond of seafood.
Directions
account for you.
Hook your tastebuds
with feast of fish
The great thing about cooking fish on
the barbecue is that it is done outdoors.
¼ cup desiccated coconut
“As soon as I walked in I could see in
my head how I wanted it to look and
how I was going to do it,” he said.
Recipe courtesy of www.
simplywomenwellness.
com
½ cup water
Showing the human side of
mining doesn’t get much
better than this.
It took months to hear back after
applying, then Karstan and Max finally
got the call up for an interview. Three
weeks later in a complete whirlwind
they were on set in Melbourne, starting
to build an entire house from the
4. Roll the balls in coconut to coat.
Store in the fridge or freezer in an air
tight container. These last for about
two weeks.
1tbs coconut oil
As one of the world’s
leading open-cut contract
miners, Thiess has some
of the greatest mining
pictures and uses them
brilliantly to tell a story about
its sites.
and Max signed up to be contestants
on the 2014 series, The Block
Glasshouse, along with 30,000 other
hopefuls across the country.
3. Roll walnut-sized balls of mixture
and put on a tray (wetting your hands
helps the mixture not stick).
2tbs tahini paste
Thiess Mining
Block Glasshouse contestant finds new calling
2. Mix until it resembles a fine
consistency. Add the rice syrup,
tahini and coconut oil and blend until
the mix comes together. Then add
a little water at a time so that when
you squeeze the mix between your
fingers it sticks together.
2tbs rice syrup
has it all.
From a coal miner to designer:
Karstan and Maxine Smith live to take
the road less travelled.
50g vanilla protein powder
coconut and protein powder.
Three types of malts plus Motueka
and Summer hops are completely in
balance, providing malt sweetness
and complexity, making it a perfect
companion for many foods.
The hops combine to create
just enough fruity flavours and a
discernable bitterness, which finishes
nice and short, leaving you wanting
another sip.
Super sessionable, beer nerds and
casual drinkers alike will love this drop.
Highly awarded with competition silver
and bronze medals, its drinkability has
won a legion of fans. It polled well in
the ‘Hottest 100 of Craft Beer’ (yes,
it’s a thing) and even better in the
Critic’s Choice: Top 100 beers of 2012
and 2013.
Barramundi fillets
Lemon Pepper seasoning
Fresh lemon juice
Salt
Seasons-all
Pepper
Recipe courtesy
of Shush! The
BBQ cook book that your mate or
wife doesn’t need to know about.
Find out more:
www.facebook.com/shushbbq
METHOD
1. Marinade fillets in a container with
fresh lemon juice, seasons-all, lemon
pepper seasoning and salt. Allow to
marinade for 15 minutes.
2. Lay fillets down in an aluminium foil
baking tray (spray baking tray with
canola cooking spray before placing
fillets in it).
3. Place a layer of aluminium foil over
the baking tray.
4. Preheat barbecue to 200°C.
5. Place aluminium tray in the middle
of barbecue.
6. Cook indirectly with hood down for
20 minutes at 200°C.
extend your
digital
reach
Having been my ‘go to’ beer for a good
two years it should become yours
as well.
So give it a whirl but don’t blame me if
it brings out the screaming fan in you!
UntappedCo have beer-focused events
planned for 2015. Like UntappedCo
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
untappedco to get updates on events
and see details of past events.
Until the next beer,
Ian Innes.
Brewery: Two Birds Brewing,
Melbourne
Let Coalface CONNECT you with customers
ONLINE and through their INBOX.
Find out how:
email [email protected]
or call 0429 363847
Beer: Golden Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.4%
Bitterness: 20 IBU (Low)
Try if you like: Coopers Sparkling,
Matilda Bay Fat Yak, James Squire’s

Move to forge stronger links with Mining industry

Transcription

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