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A SPATE of deadly tailings dam accidents and the identification of two BHP tailings dams as being at “extreme risk” have prompted Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) members to release the Australian Mining Tailings Communique, aimed at addressing tailings best practice in Australian industry. The document comes months after Rio Tinto and BHP both identified risks relating mines at home and abroad, and after the first wave of criminal charges were laid against Vale executives following the Brumadinho disaster that killed more than 200 people. The Communique consolidates the industry’s view around best practice of a particularly sensitive issue, and was developed after discussions by MCA members at a workshop earlier in the year which focused on training, research and...

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...

LITHIUM will be the biggest player in the coming electric vehicle revolution, but the tech metal has fallen on tough times of late. The fall in prices, like so many of Australia’s export resources, has been dictated by China, where oversupply has led to price drops large enough to counter the stable and even rising prices in other countries. Mr Grant said over-supply has spooked the market, but also that lithium is not alone. “Everyone is talking about oversupply of 6pc spodumene concentrate, for sure,” he said. “This has crashed the price of some lower grade lithium chemical products, and most importantly, hurt market sentiment towards the entire industry. “Young developers are having a hard time raising capital for their...

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...

IT could be the calming sensation you feel when you walk in the front door of your home and kick off your shoes, or sense of camaraderie you feel at your local sport club, or any attachment you feel to a place that reflects your identity – a sense of place can mean many things. It is something that architects and interior designers try to incorporate into their designs, and there is extensive research that shows not only how a positive attachment to the place where we live is important to identity, but that the absence of this connection can be devastating to mental health. A sense of place is not something normally associated with the clinical, sterile accommodation of...

RIO Tinto has unveiled its annual showcase of the world’s rarest pink and red diamonds in an exclusive preview at the Argyle mine site in the east Kimberley region of WA. The 64-diamond collection, including three Fancy Red diamonds and weighing 56.28 carats in total, make up the 2019 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender. Rio Tinto Copper and Diamonds chief executive Arnaud Soirat said the diamonds, each “a natural treasure”, were a testament to the enormous range and depth of offering from the Argyle ore body, nearly four decades from when production commenced. “Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine is the first and only ongoing source of rare pink diamonds in history,” he said. “With the life cycle of this extraordinary mine approaching...