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Historic mine reborn as theme park

Historic mine reborn as theme park

A defunct salt mine in Romania has been transformed into a booming tourist attraction, with an underground theme park and history museum. The historic Salina Turda salt mines in northern-central Transylvania were mined from the seventeenth century, and provided an integral source of wealth for the country’s Roman occupiers. The mine’s transformation into a theme park incorporated three former mining shafts, including Terezia mine, which reaches 120m below ground; Anton which reaches 108m; and the Rudolf, which extends down 42m. Features include a 180-seat amphitheatre, a sports arena with mini soccer stadium, a Ferris wheel, billiard and ping pong facilities, a mini-golf course and a bowling alley. Visitors descend the cavernous mine shafts in glass elevators, and into the Tereza...

Calls for FIFO suicide inquiry

Calls for FIFO suicide inquiry

THE WA Opposition Leader has introduced a motion to Parliament calling for an urgent inquiry into suicides among FIFO workers following a spate of recent deaths in the industry. WA Labor leader Mark McGowan’s motion called on the Parliament’s Education and Health Standing Committee to look into reasons behind the high suicide rate in the FIFO workforce and to recommend initiatives industry and government could take to reduce its prevalence. The push for the inquest came weeks after a worker took his own life on Barrow Island and just over a month after a man was found dead in his room in South Hedland in another suspected suicide. Four FIFO suicides last year were referred to State Coroner Ros Fogliani...

Seductive Florence a work of art

Seductive Florence a work of art

THE birthplace of Michelangelo, da Vinci and the Renaissance, UNESCO-listed Florence is the cultural hub of central Italy. Framed by Italy’s major mountain chains, “the cradle of the Renaissance” is the capital of Tuscany and ticks the boxes as an international tourist hotspot. Visitors are widely attracted to Florence’s numerous art museums, monuments and galleries, its stylish fashions, and extensive menu of Italian cuisine. The city is within comfortable travel distance of some of Italy’s most dramatic countryside, with the province spanning across the Italian Alps and Tuscany’s famed vineyards. Florence has an artistic and architectural heritage envied across the globe. Combined with its subtropical Mediterranean climate, it is easy to see why Forbes named it one of the world’s...

High quality service just the tip of the iceberg

High quality service just the tip of the iceberg

WITH a commitment to customer satisfaction its number one priority, HK Calibrations offers expert instrument calibration and repair services for all instrument types, including test and measurement instruments. HK Calibrations recently moved its Perth premises to a new facility in Bibra Lake, providing a single, centralised point of contact for WA customers who can have their instruments calibrated in one local place. Along with promoting the WA economy, the enhanced facility in Bibra Lake has allowed HK Calibrations to maintain its commitment to unmatched turnaround times. HK Calibrations offers a full spectrum of services for a range of equipment including electronic and electrical, pressure gauges, hard gauges, flow measurement, telecommunication, weighing and temperature, gas monitoring, dumpy levels, surveying equipment, and...

Innovative equipment for improved safety and efficiency

Innovative equipment for improved safety and efficiency

WHEN wasted seconds mean wasted money, companies need to power their mining operations with equipment they can count on. The Gates line of hydraulic hose and coupling products ensures that mines can keep up with demand. Gates parts not only dramatically improve uptime, they also come backed by services designed to reduce inventory expenses and improve safety. Conditions in longwall mines can wreak havoc on equipment and personnel. Gates iLok couplings release a residual pressure away from workers and provide a secure, visible, and easily functioning locking system so workers don’t have to resort to dangerous methods to move them. On average, it takes 20 minutes to de-couple traditional staple-lock couplings. On a longwall miner with 500 connections, that means...

Premium quality gift hampers make gift giving easy

Premium quality gift hampers make gift giving easy

FOR more than 26 years, leading gift hamper manufacturer Interhampers Australia has made gift-giving a simple process for major corporations and personal shoppers alike. Australian owned and operated, Interhampers uses only premium quality products and market-leading global brands. “Gift giving is a most rewarding moment and Interhampers ensures that this important and very personal gesture is an enjoyable experience for all,” company representative Julie Blake said. “Interhampers’ gift-givers have reported feeling proud to offer such quality gifts to business associates, family members or friends. Gift-receivers similarly report feeling privileged to accept such a special gift.” Gift hampers have traditionally made ideal Christmas gifts, but they can be used throughout the year to celebrate many other events, including mother’s day, father’s...

Rail solutions provider assists miner during start-up

Rail solutions provider assists miner during start-up

BOASTING a modern fleet of more than 1700 wagons and 70 locomotives, CFCL Australia (CFCLA) is the leading independent supplier of leased railway locomotive power and rolling stock to Australian rail operators. CFCLA provides operators with flexible leasing options that deliver reliable and efficient transport solutions to the rail industry and its customers. The company has a long association with the mining industry. A large fleet of ore haulage wagons can provide the means for transporting all types of minerals, including products ranging from large lump aggregates such as iron ore and coal, to fine products such as mineral sands. CFCLA can modify or even build specially designed wagons to suit the product where necessary through its affiliate company CF...

Quality answers to complex technology challenges

Quality answers to complex technology challenges

WA’s largest privately owned technology company grew from humble beginnings. Abacus was formed in 1981 with just two employees and a small product range, to provide for the specialised needs of small offices. Abacus has since grown in size and reputation, expanding its product offering and employing more than 40 people with a wealth of experience to expertly service its extensive WA customer base. The company is now an OKI Metro Platinum dealer for Perth, and a 27-year partnership with Sharp Australia has positioned it as the company’s number one WA dealer. Abacus has divided itself into smaller, more manageable entities to ensure all products are handled properly and efficiently, and has become a specialist in the supply of multi-function...

Barrier systems providing vital protection for workers

Barrier systems providing vital protection for workers

AUSTRALIA’S mining industry plays a vital role in the national economy, attracting billions of dollars in export income, employing more than 750,000 Australians and supporting communities across the country. Its enviable safety record is recognised globally and Moddex has played an important role in that achievement. Moddex supplies Australasian mining companies with quality handrails, guardrails and other barrier products, offering vital protection for workers, machine operators and mining equipment. Moddex is a recognised pioneer and innovator of protective barriers in today’s mining, workplace and construction sectors. The company’s barrier systems have been installed across mining accommodation and construction camps throughout WA, Northern Territory, South Australia and both islands of New Zealand. Recently, Moddex barrier systems were installed at one of...

Large Pinjarra facility meets needs of expanding client base

Large Pinjarra facility meets needs of expanding client base

ESTABLISHED and dynamic Murray Engineering is rapidly developing into a major player in the Australian and overseas market. The company supplies mechanical and electrical goods and services to major industries including mining. Murray Engineering’s highly skilled and experienced mechanical and electrical team specialise in maintenance, refurbishment, construction, manufacture and assembly of a wide range of equipment. The company has grown 600 per cent since 2007, with a focus on best-practice training, safety, environmental and government protocols. The company’s Pinjarra facility is one of the largest of its kind in WA covering more than 14,000 square metres on a 5.5 hectare site. It was built with the future in mind; to allow for the company’s continual growth through meeting the diverse...

New laws emerged from the rubble

New laws emerged from the rubble

EXTREME negligence was blamed for the Aberfan disaster of 1966, which saw 166 children and 28 adults lose their lives after a colliery spoil tip collapsed in the tiny Welsh village. The coal tip reportedly took just five minutes to slide down the mountain and engulf a school, several houses and a farm in its path. It was an incident that devastated the coal mining village near Merthry Tydfil in South Wales and changed the face of mining regulations – prompting new legislation to resolve the absence of laws and regulations for mine and quarry waste tips and spoil heaps. The incident took place early on 21 October, shortly after the school day had commenced. The mudslide, consisting of excavated...