Category: Mining Lifestyle

TO mark BP’s centenary this year, the company has commissioned five established and emerging artists from around the country whose inspired artworks will form an exhibition that represents BP’s contribution to Australia through the decades. BP Australia president Andy Holmes from beginnings as a single fuel depot in Western Australia in 1919, BP now touches the lives of millions of Australians every day. “Through the centenary artists program, we’ve represented the far and wide regions of the country, offering a glimpse of the role BP has played – and continues to play – in advancing energy in Australia,” he said. “For 100 years BP has delivered energy for heat, power and transportation. A lot has changed during this time, but…

BEFORE deciding on becoming an apprentice with Hastings Deering – a Caterpillar dealership based in Brisbane – Jim Walker was all set to become a teacher. “My passion and heart were with my dad in the earthmoving industry,” Mr Walker said in a speech at a recent WA Mining Club industry luncheon. “I loved every day. I’d get some jobs that weren’t great, but I’d quickly forget about those when the next exciting one came along,” he said. Jobs have been a hot topic in the mining industry for some time and while the lack of university graduates may have garnered the most headlines, only 20 per cent of mining jobs today require a university degree. For Mr Walker, as…

FOR disadvantaged groups like Indigenous Australians to better participate in the infrastructure and mining sectors, collaboration is needed at all levels. Often people from disadvantaged groups struggle to participate as businesses in plant intensive industries due to the cost of equipment to deliver their services, struggles with compliance requirements and technology, and not having a good network of contacts to help find business in the short term and to develop a pipeline of work in the long term. Horizontal directional drilling, civil construction and project management company Maxibor is working to stop this cycle of disadvantage, which has impacts on health, well-being, education and community, and is encouraging all stakeholders to support and help build up micro-businesses across the sector.…

THE Australasian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), the peak body for resources professionals in Australasia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWIMRA), an organisation representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women employed in the resources industry. With an audience in Perth of 150 mining professionals as part of the AusIMM Thought Leadership Series, the MOU was officially signed as both organisations spoke publicly of their commitment to working together to support the needs and grow the voice of indigenous women in the sector. At the official signing, AusIMM CEO Stephen Durkin and IWIMRA co-founder Florence Drummond spoke of the importance of the MOU and the impact their collaboration will have.…

WOODSIDE Energy has announced a $4m contribution to the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) to fund the construction of the Murujuga Living Knowledge Centre (MLKC) on the nationally heritage-listed Burrup Peninsula of WA. Woodside chief operations officer Meg O’Neill said the contribution to the MLKC was part of the company’s $34m commitment to heritage, cultural and arts projects in the region under the Burrup Conservation Agreement, signed by Woodside and the Commonwealth Government in 2007. “MAC’s proposal to develop the MLKC at Conzinc Bay as a world-class ecocultural facility for the display and curatorship of rock art will attract Australian and international visitors,” Ms O’Neill said. “The centre will help maintain, promote and celebrate the rich and ancient cultural values of…

KALGOORLIE Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) has announced significant changes to its parental leave policy, joining its Joint Venture owner Newmont Goldcorp in setting a new industry standard within Australia. Under the new changes, employees are now eligible for 22 weeks paid parental or adoption leave, plus a four week return-to-work payment. Additionally, 10 days paid secondary carers leave will be provided. These changes will help address the gender pay gap that often occurs when parents are out of the workforce for extended periods. KCGM also continues to offer eligible employees access to family-friendly flexible work arrangements when back at work. Ten days paid domestic violence leave will also be made available, providing critical financial support to affected employees who may…

NEW life has been breathed into a landmark at the Central Highlands town of Capella in Queensland, with the refurbishment of the mine dragline bucket at the entrance to the Capella Industrial Park. CQMS Razer, Gerada Engineering, SunCity Signs and the Central Highlands Regional Council joined forces to restore the EarthEater dragline bucket to its former glory as part of CQMS Razer’s 40th anniversary year activities across the region. CQMS Razer chief executive officer John Barbagallo said the EarthEater dragline bucket was an important part of the Capella landscape, representing the ongoing presence of the mining industry across the region. “40 years ago, CQMS Razer began its story in Central Queensland and with the support of the local community, local…

LEADING individuals and organisations of Australian resources and energy industries were celebrated in Melbourne in early August. Presented at the gala dinner of resources and energy group AMMA, the awards celebrated leadership, innovation and excellence in the sector. The event is the industry’s annual workforce celebration which puts the spotlight on the sector’s high-achievers, in front of industry leaders and peers. AMMA chief executive Steve Knott praised the high level of award winners across five categories covering key workforce-related areas of the industry. He said the initiatives and programs implemented by resources and energy employers reinforced Australia’s standing as a global leader in key workforce areas. “These are the people and organisations driving our industry to ensure a brighter future…

SOME mining companies many not realise it, but professional photography is imperative for the mining industry. So claims Rob Parsons, who has 20 years’ experience in photography, videography, drone and time-lapse image making. Rob has worked with the mining industry for more than 15 years, helping to develop professional imagery for client’s such as Glencore, xStrata, Leighton Contractors and BHP. “I often get asked by miners ‘why do we need professional photography? We aren’t an arts business’,” Rob said. “This always perplexes me. ‘Well, you are a commercial business aren’t you?’ I answer. “Once I get the nod, I then proceed to explain how photography is often the first impression someone gets of their business. “And as we all know,…

ANGEL HAS FALLEN Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman THE third in the ‘Fallen” franchise has hit the screens, indicating there’s an audience out there for the adventures of a White House president constantly trying to avoid assassination. The “angel” in the title refers to the American leader’s guardian angel, Secret Service agent Mike Banning, played as always by Scottish slugger Gerard Butler, with his best American accent. This time around, the plot concerns an attack on Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman), who’s become POTUS after serving as speaker and vice-pres in the first two chapters. After a well-staged hit kills off an entire presidential defence team except Banning, he is charged with the attempted murder of Turnbull, who is left in a…

THE use of illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and ice is unfortunately still rampant in WA, with WA Police recently estimating that West Australians now consume more than $27m worth of meth alone every week. In fact, regional WA continued to have the highest rate of meth use nationally relative to population, with most of the substance coming into Australia from places such as China. And mine sites are no exception. While regular testing of FIFO workers is commonplace, managers are now being urged to be aware that employees who use drugs may be developing strategies to hide their use of meth and ice. According to two Perth clinical psychologists, Kerryn Ashford-Hatherly and Michael Tunnecliffe, who specialise in treating drug and alcohol…