Mine to Market - August 2008

Transcription

minetomarket
ISSUE 88 : AUGUST 2008
QRC Mines Rescue competition
QMEA Engineering Camp
Cloncurry hosts Rockhana festival
Townsville Port Operations: Gateway to the global market
2 : mine to market
WELCOME
From August onwards it is vital that we take every opportunity to conserve fresh water
both in our operations and also on the home front. We ask everyone to support the
water saving initiatives being promoted across our Mount Isa operations which are
targeting a 30% reduction from 33 megalitres per day down to 23 megalitres per day
achieved during the last drought period in 2003. On a broader front, water saving
initiatives across our total North Queensland operations should remain a focus for all of
our workforce.
During the next few months we look forward to hosting Community Information
Sessions in Mount Isa and Bowen to keep our local communities informed about our
operations. As naming rights sponsor and Gold partner of the 50th Xstrata Mount Isa
Mines Rotary Rodeo, we encourage you to get behind this iconic event to be held at
Buchanan Park from 8 to 10 August (a full program of events is available on page 26)
and show your support.
Steve de Kruijff
Congratulations are extended to Xstrata Copper’s Ernest Henry Mining Emergency
Response Team and the Mount Isa Mines Rescue Team for their outstanding efforts
at the recent QRC Mines Rescue Challenge. These teams play a fundamental role in
ensuring the safety of all of our workers and we thank them for their commitment and
dedication to such an important aspect of our operations. For a full overview of the
challenge please refer to page four.
Finally, we are proud to announce that the Xstrata Zinc Australia office located in
Brisbane was officially launched in July. This was a landmark event in Xstrata Zinc’s
corporate history and the Australian zinc operations look forward to an exciting future.
STEVE DE KRUIJFF
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Xstrata Copper North Queensland
KEVIN HENDRY
EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER
Xstrata Zinc Mount Isa
30%
4,400
4,300
25%
4,200
20%
4,000
15%
3,900
3,800
10%
3,700
3,600
5%
3,500
3,400
0%
Xstrata PLC
20
15
10
5
Feb-2008
Mar-2008
Apr-2008
May-2008
Date
Jun-2008
Jul-2008
Percentage
Price (p)
4,100
Volume (m)
Xstrata is listed on the London and Zurich
stock exchanges. As at 24 July 2008 the
Xstrata share price on the London Stock
Exchange (XTA.L) was 33.65 (GBp).
XSTRATA STOCK PRICE
Input from all Xstrata North Queensland operations
is invited. Any articles, innovations, achievements,
ideas or suggestions are very welcome. Please contact
Catherine Peters, Community Relations, Mount Isa Mines
on email: cpeters@xstratacopper.com.au
or phone: 4744 3140.
CONTACT THE EDITOR
Danny Walker, Mine Services Technician
and ERT squad member, EHM
FRONT COVER
Kevin Hendry
ISSUE 88 : 3
Xstrata Zinc Australia office launch
Members of the Xstrata Zinc Australia team celebrate at the recent launch of the newly formed Xstrata Zinc Australia office.
Executive Director of Xstrata plc and Chief Executive of
Xstrata Zinc, Santiago Zaldumbide officiated at the
launch of Xstrata Zinc Australia’s office on 3 July 2008
in Brisbane, delivering an exciting vision for the
organisation’s future growth.
Over 100 industry leaders within the mining sector
from around the nation attended the function at the
prestigious Tattersall’s Club to celebrate this landmark
event in Xstrata Zinc’s history.
Guest speakers included Federal Minister for Resources
and Energy, The Honourable Martin Ferguson MP and
Queensland’s State Minister for Transport, Trade,
Employment and Industrial Relations, The Honourable
John Mickel MP representing the Premier.
Xstrata Zinc Australia Chief Operating Officer, Brian
Hearne also addressed the gathering, highlighting
Xstrata Zinc’s values and Australia’s key role in Xstrata’s
global business strategy and international portfolio.
“We will continue to invest in leading mining and
smelting technologies and the most modern and
efficient operations while maintaining our position as a
leader in mining excellence and innovation,” Brian said.
The special guests included members of the Mount Isa
Mines team, including Executive General Manager,
Kevin Hendry
4 : mine to market
QRC Mines Rescue Challenge
Xstrata congratulates the Mines Rescue teams for their
outstanding efforts in the 2008 Queensland Resources
Council’s Mines Rescue Challenge.
representing Mount Isa Mines at this year’s competition
were selected from the winning team of the internal Mines
Rescue Competition held in November 2007.
Teams from both Mount Isa Mines and Ernest Henry
Mining competed in the challenge which was held at Dairy
Farmers Stadium in Townsville from 20 to 22 June.
“The competition is a reward for the Mines Rescue squad
and all of the hard work and training that they do
throughout the year. It was great to attempt a wide range
of challenges, giving all team members a broader experience
in a competition scenario. To be able to improve on last
year’s performance and win the fire fighting event was an
added bonus for us,” said team member, Andrew Flynn.
The Mines Rescue Challenge is an annual competition
which attracts competitors from mining and quarry
companies from all over Queensland. The seven teams in
this year’s competition were Xstrata Mount Isa Mines,
Xstrata Copper Ernest Henry
Mining, BHP Cannington Mine,
Zinifex Century Mine, BMA
Gregory Crinum, and Lihir Gold
from PNG.
The teams are presented with
various emergency scenarios and
each team is judged on its
proficiency at dealing with the
situation. Events are designed to
provide realistic scenarios that
could happen on or around a
mine site and included drills
involving hazardous materials,
road accident rescue,
multi-casualty and integrated
teams, mine and search and
rescue, vertical rescue, tunnel,
and technical.
Xstrata Copper North
Queensland’s first female
captain, Nicole King, led the
EHM team to victory in first
place for Confined Space and Fitness, second place in both
Road Accident Response and the Vertical drill, and third
place overall in the Mines Rescue Challenge.
Mine geologist, Danny Huisman, has been on EHM’s
Emergency Response Team (ERT) for almost a year and he
says that the Mines Rescue Challenge was a great learning
experience. “It was like a big training exercise, with the
advantage that we were being marked and the
adjudicators gave really useful feedback,” said Danny.
“It was good to see how other rescue teams respond in
similar situations and we were able to pick up some new
ideas,” he said.
Meanwhile the Mount Isa Mines team captained by Tyrone
Campbell, gained a credible first place in the fire drill and
third place in the fitness event. The team members
Tyrone said he was really proud of
how the team worked together.
“It was an extremely tough
challenge both mentally and
physically and we did very well,
especially considering we hadn’t
trained as a team before.”
Matt Wendtman, team medic said
the competition was a valuable
experience and was a good
chance to build on the regular
on-site training drills.
“The competition was a great
experience. It was my first external
competition, and as the medic for
the team, it was an opportunity
for me to be able to expand on
the skills that I have learnt here
with Mount Isa Mines Rescue and
learn from the other teams and
adjudicators who are professionals
in their field.”
Ron Pickering, Mine Rescue
Supervisor, said the teams performed extremely well this
year. “It was good for some of the newer squad members
who were here for the first time, to gain experience in a
competition scenario and compete against some of
Queensland’s top rescue teams.”
Like the Mount Isa Mines team, the EHM squad had not
trained together before the competition. “It was especially
satisfying to place third in the challenge because our team
was made up of people from a few different crews and we
hadn’t trained together much before,” said Danny.
Xstrata’s Mines Rescue Teams are critical to the safety of all
employees on the mine and are on-call 24 hours per day,
seven days per week. Congratulations to all of those
involved in this year’s competition
ISSUE 88 : 5
6 : mine to market
QMEA Engineering Camp
Twenty aspiring engineers representing schools from across
Queensland successfully completed the 2008 Queensland Minerals
and Energy Academy (QMEA) Engineering Camp.
The QMEA is a joint initiative between Queensland Resources
Council (QRC) and Education Queensland which is focused on
attracting young people into the minerals and energy industry.
Xstrata is one of five Platinum Foundation Sponsors of the QMEA.
Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural camp,
20 students and four teachers travelled to Mount Isa for an intensive
ten days of hands-on engineering work experience on the Xstrata
Mount Isa Mines site.
Students once again travelled from as far away as Bundamba State
High School in Ipswich, Church of England Grammar School in
Brisbane, Wavell High School in Brisbane, and Kirwan State High in
Townsville. Local schools, Spinifex State College in Mount Isa,
and Cloncurry State High School, were also represented.
The students were selected for the camp based on their academic
grades and a demonstrated interest in the engineering industry.
Their task was to work on identified issues occurring in the mining
industry and come up with solutions for these problems.
A welcome dinner outback-style was served at the Terrace Gardens
on Sunday 29 June where students were able to meet with their
project leaders, fellow students, and Xstrata representatives to learn
more about the challenges of the week ahead.
During the week long camp, students were housed at the local
Spinifex College residential campus. To ensure they were treated like
any Xstrata Mount Isa Mines employee, students attended a full day
Krause Health and Safety induction and undertook the necessary
medical tests as would any new employee to Xstrata North
Queensland’s operations.
The students were split into two groups to work on either a waste
rock dump design at the Handlebar Hill Open Cut (HHOC) Mine
or a solution to increase the recycling of process water from the
Tailings Dams.
The HHOC project, led by Jeff Moncrieff, Mine Manager HHOC and
Anu Datta, Senior Environmental Advisor, incorporated work done
from last year’s camp on the drainage design system to implement a
solution for the issue of acid water generation from the waste rock
excavated from the pit. They proposed how a model could be
developed to predict where acid generating rocks may be found in
the pit and then designed a waste rock dump to deal with this acid
forming rock. This project also involved developing a proposal of
rehabilitation criteria for the dump to ensure its long term stability as
well as a monitoring program to ensure environmental discharge
criteria are met for the site over the short, medium, and long term.
“The talent of this year’s students, which was demonstrated in their
ability to engineer solutions to real-life problems as a team, was
exceptional. After the first few hours I walked away wondering what
to do with the group for the next few days as they managed to crack
the problem in the first few hours,” said Jeff.
“The mining industry can only benefit if these students decide to
become a part of it,” he said.
Meanwhile over at Engineering Services, students engineered a
solution to increase the recycling of process water from the tailings
dams and the existing pumping system. This team was led by Mount
Isa Mines’ Water Conservation Project Manager, Matt O’Neill.
Following a detailed induction into the tailings dams area and an
overview of the process water and recycling system on site, students
were asked to check the calculations on capacity of the existing
system. Students also had to investigate alternative methods to
recover water from tailings dams and design an upgrade or new
system depending on the results of their investigation.
Upon completion of their assigned projects, the students were
required to present their findings and recommendations to Xstrata’s
senior management at a presentation and award evening held at the
Red Earth Hotel.
To ensure students got a taste of living and working in a mining
town such as Mount Isa, the students attended an underground tour
at Outback at Isa, an award wining tourist centre, as well as a surface
tour of the Mount Isa Mines lease and a visit to the copper smelter.
The students were also lucky enough to visit the old Uranium Mine at
Mary Kathleen, near Cloncurry.
“The camp was very successful. It was really beneficial for the
students to gain exposure to the mining industry and the hands-on
aspect gave students a taste of life as an engineer, providing them
with the knowledge needed to be able to make informed decisions
when considering a career in the mining industry,” said Matt.
The students also believed that the real life experience was a great
experience and introduction to the mining industry.
“It was a great experience to see what it’s actually like to be an
engineer. It was really good to meet people from Xstrata and schools
from around Queensland. The project posed a tough problem but we
managed to crack it,” said Ben Trott from Kirwan State High School.
“The camp gave us the opportunity to live and breathe the life of an
engineer. It was priceless. Now we know what to expect if we enter
the mining industry,” said Amanda Nottingham, also from Kirwan
State High School.
“The camp has opened my eyes to the mining industry and I would
jump at the chance to do work experience up here again,” said
Amanda Hooper from Bundama State High School.
Roger Atkins, Director QMEA, said that the program wouldn’t
have been possible without the generous support and commitment
from Xstrata.
“Xstrata has set a benchmark in its commitment and engagement to
local communities. It is great to see what happens when mining
companies work together with our younger generations,” said Roger.
“This program is definitely the flagship of our organisation and we
will take this program and model it to other parts of Queensland,”
he said
ISSUE 88 : 7
The water recycling team participate in an induction of the tailings dam area.
Matt O’Neill explains the on-site water
recycling processes to the team.
Students examine a map of the mine lease
before commencing their project.
8 : mine to market
Handlebar Hill celebrates
its first year of operation
Handlebar Hill Open Cut mine employees came together on
27 June to celebrate the one year anniversary since HHOC
received its approval from the EXCO board. While Government
approval was not granted until 6 September, the first year of the
open cut mine was an outstanding success, with in excess of
33 million tonnes of rock being moved by the operation’s
mining contractor Huddy’s Plant Hire.
Jeff Moncrieff, Mine Manager for the Handlebar Hill Open Cut
was pleased to announce that the first zinc ore was mined on
20 May, and thanked everyone for their impressive safety record.
Mine management hosted a traditional barbecue with a first
birthday cake presented by Anthony Kocken – General Manager
Mining, Xstrata Zinc Mount Isa, and Ignacio Seebold – Xstrata
Zinc’s Manager Mining Operations, who was visiting from
Xstrata Zinc’s Madrid office.
The Handlebar Hill Open Cut mine team celebrates a
successful first year of operations.
Anthony Kocken thanked the employees for their
professionalism over the first 12 months of operation.
“The fact that the operation has carried out its work and not
recorded a single LTI or RWI is a record you should all be very
proud of,” said Anthony.
Mine Manager, Jeff Moncrieff promised that all employees
would receive a 1 year anniversary CD of images of HHOC.
“The work carried out to date has been nothing short of
spectacular and I’ve enjoyed working with every one of you,”
said Jeff
The HHOC team celebrating their first birthday.
With birthday cake (left to right): Anthony Kocken,
Jeff Moncrieff, and Ignacio Seebold.
ISSUE 88 : 9
Initiatives for minimising exposure to lead
Speed cameras
reduce levels of
raised dust
A number of speed
cameras have been
installed on roads on the
Mount Isa Mines lease.
This is because slow
moving vehicles help to
reduce raising dust on
roads as well as ensure the
safety of our drivers.
The digital screen identifies
the speed the vehicle is travelling and warns the driver to slow
down, or advises the driver the speed is within the accepted
limit. This builds on existing controls including a heavy duty
road sweeper that is operating on sealed roads full time.
Vacuum truck
used on site
Mount Isa Mines is
continuously focussing on
plant hygiene and has
invested in high pressure
water jet units and a
vacuum truck. These are
extremely effective for
cleaning mining structures
and equipment before and
after use, allowing the mine
to set a very high standard
in plant hygiene. The vacuum truck is able to vacuum out drains
and sumps and relocate the fluid to a designated area. During
the wet season, the vacuum truck can be used to ensure storm
water run-off is kept on site. The vacuum truck has a holding
capacity of 10,000 litres of wet waste. The material collected is
disposed of on-site in Mount Isa Mine’s licensed landfill facility.
Dust suppression
on roads
Minimising dust is an
important practice to ensure
the mines’ operations have
minimal environmental impact
on the Mount Isa community.
A commonly used method to
reduce dust generation is the
deployment of water carts
that spray water over the
surfaces of unsealed roads to
reduce both vehicle
movement generated and wind blown dust. Water carts are a
familiar site around Mount Isa Mines. Addition of a dust
suppressant agent provides further significant reductions to both
the level of dust generated and the amount of water used to
control dust generation – such agents are used in both surface and
underground mine operations at Mount Isa Mines.
Wash down bays
Mount Isa Mines ensures
that all vehicles leaving the
site are washed down either
manually with high pressure
hoses, or automatically by a
drive-through car wash.
Any dust or mine sediment
must be removed if the
vehicle is to be driven off
the lease. Security personnel
are stationed at the
entrance and exit to
Gardenia Street, Mount Isa Mines and George Fisher Mine,
to ensure strict compliance with the carwashing guidelines
takes place.
Automatic overshoe
dispenser in mine
offices
A number of automatic
overshoe dispensers have
been installed in numerous
locations around Mount Isa
Mines, continuously
improving the mine’s
health, safety and hygiene
standards. The automatic
dispenser prevents
employees’ hands from
coming into contact with their work boots. The electronic
intelligence mode machine enables employees and visitors to
place their work boot into the dispenser and within five seconds
have it covered by an overshoe cover.
New Uniforms on site
A new style of clothing has
been introduced at the Lead
Smelter with the possibility
of this being rolled out over
other parts of Mount Isa
Mines. The uniform has
been introduced to improve
visibility. A fluorescent
yellow and navy colour with
reflective striping and clearly
marked ‘Lead Smelter’ will
assist the site to manage
both pedestrian visibility and to ensure work wear does not
leave the site. All uniforms are laundered on site, and returned
to our workers’ lockers prior to the next shift. Shirts and overalls
are presently being used in the Lead Smelter which has a strict
clean in/clean out procedure, with strong compliance by
employees and contractors.
10 : mine to market
Environmental PhD Projects Workshop
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has initiated three PhD studies of three
year duration commencing in July 2008 through the University
of Queensland’s Centre of Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR).
Xstrata Zinc is also a major sponsor for a further study being
conducted through CMLA which includes another PhD study.
In June, the Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Environment Department
hosted a workshop between the University of Queensland,
Xstrata Environment Department, and Environmental Protection
Agency representatives to look at
the scopes of the PhD studies, and
ensure that everyone was familiar
with the site context and the
desired outcomes of the projects.
Amongst the representatives from
the University were several
Professors and Doctors, including
Associate Professor Barry Noller,
a world renown toxicologist.
A wide range of specialist skills
were represented including mine
rehabilitation, hydrology,
environmental geochemistry,
plant rehabilitations, botany,
and plant uptake, soil
geochemistry, and environmental
chemistry and toxicology.
The workshop included site visits
at both Xstrata Mount Isa Mines
and Xstrata Copper’s Ernest
Henry Mine, as well a full day of
presentations relevant to the
PhD studies.
An Examination of Options and Strategies for Tailing
Revegetation at Mount Isa Mines and Ernest Henry Mining
The overall aim of this project is to develop knowledge that will
allow Xstrata to make an informed decision about strategies for
the revegetation of the tailings storage facilities that will
maximise stability and minimise risk to the external environmental.
The study will contribute to developing a long term sustainable
approach to revegetation of our sites. If revegetation by direct
seeding is successful, this will result in considerable savings in
the rehabilitation of the tailings
dams due to a reduced
requirement for cover material.
This study will include the design
and implementation of major
field trials at both sites.
Tailings dam seepage pond.
A Study of the Pathways of
Metals from Air to Land
and Water
This project is part of the Whole
of Emissions Study which has now
evolved into the Lead Pathways
Study. The aim of this study is to
investigate lead pathways via air
to the community. It will involve
the identification of a ‘signature’
for lead contained in mine
products and wastes, and for
lead contained in dust collected
within the community so that it
can be compared to enable lead
identified in the community to
be matched to potential
available sources.
The Role of Vegetation on
The Studies:
Moisture Store and
Environmental Risk of Tailings
The workshop was attended by Xstrata,
Release Cover Systems
EPA and University of Queensland personnel.
Seepage – Significance in
Xstrata, along with a number of
Naturally Mineralised Areas
other companies, is a major
This study will investigate the
sponsor for this project, providing both funding for the project
potential long term risk of
as well as covering costs for the construction of field trials on
tailings seepage impacting on the environment at both Mount
the Black Star Open Cut waste rock dump. The trials will be
Isa Mines and Ernest Henry Mining. To do this, the study will
monitored over a number of years to assess what impact the
include a detailed examination of the chemistry of the tailings
establishment of vegetation has on the integrity of the cover
dams, and the natural geochemistry of the surrounding area.
system. The aim of the moisture store and release cover system
This information will enable Xstrata Mount Isa Mines to develop
is to prevent movement of water into the waste rock dump,
suitable closure criteria for the tailings dams, including
hence minimising acid mine drainage. Theoretically, vegetation
identification of what long term management may be required
establishment can have both positive and negative impacts on
of tailings seepage at these operations.
the effectiveness of the cover system, and this study will help
understand these interactions better, so that Xstrata can better
plan for rehabilitation of waste rock dumps.
Thank you Anne Williams for your contribution
ISSUE 88 : 11
Mount Isa celebrates NAIDOC week
The Aboriginal flag is proudly carried at the NAIDOC week march.
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines proudly
sponsored the 2008 National Aboriginal
and Islanders Day of Commemoration
(NAIDOC) week celebrations held from
6 to 13 July 2008.
NAIDOC Week is a nationally recognised
week long celebration of Australian
Indigenous peoples and their culture; to
pay respect and to recognise their
ancestors and their historical struggles; to
acknowledge and pay tribute to
Indigenous achievements; and to share
their cultures with non-indigenous
Australians for the advancement of
reconciliation in Australia.
This year’s national theme was Advance
Australia Fair? Over the past six years
Xstrata (and previously MIM Holdings Ltd)
has sponsored various events during the
NAIDOC Week Celebrations. This year,
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines sponsored the
annual Elders Luncheon held at the Island
Bowls Club on 9 July.
Gilbert Daniels weaves a
traditional Torres Strait Islander
skirt at the Elders Luncheon.
Elders from the Mount Isa and
surrounding communities including
Camooweal, Cloncurry, and Dajarra were
joined by members of Xstrata’s senior
management, and the Indigenous Affairs
Advisor and Indigenous Employment
Officer. Around 170 people from Mount
Isa, Camooweal, Cloncurry, and Dajarra
partook in the delicious buffet style lunch
and shared memories of the trials and
successes of the past fifty years.
Following the lunch, the crowd was
entertained by traditional dancing and
DJ George Wilde’s musical mixes.
“The luncheon is an essential component
of the NAIDOC Week Celebration as it
allows our communities to pay tribute to,
acknowledge, and recognise our
Indigenous Elders and to give thanks for
our Elders’ contributions to our
community,” said Vicki Chong from the
NAIDOC Committee.
“The lunch promotes the reconciliation
process by encouraging non-Indigenous
people to join us and celebrate our special
week,” said Marlene Speechley, NAIDOC
Organiser.
Zane Hughes, Indigenous Affairs Advisor,
said that “It is important to recognise the
significant role that elders play within the
Indigenous community and the
contribution that they provide to the
wider Mount Isa community. We look
forward to continuing our association with
elders in our region.”
NAIDOC celebrations continued
throughout the week. There was
something for everyone at the Family Fun
Day held at George McCoy Park on Friday
11 July which included stalls, food, and
entertainment including performances by
Megan Samardin and Barry Lea from
Mob FM. Among the stalls was an
Xstrata information stand.
More than 150 people walked proudly
together in the annual NAIDOC week
march from Kalkadoon Tribal Council to
George McCoy Park on Friday 11 July.
A flag lowering ceremony at the Civic
Centre brought the 2008 NAIDOC week
celebrations to a close
12 : mine to market
Gateway to the global market
Xstrata operates the Berth 7 facility in
the Port of Townsville. The wharf and
area containing the concentrates
storage sheds and tippler are leased
from The Townsville Port Authority.
This facility is a bulk materials facility
that receives, stores and loads metal
concentrates. The concentrates are
delivered from Xstrata’s copper and
zinc mines at Mount Isa, Ernest Henry
Mining and a number of mines in the
Cloncurry, Charters Towers and
Greenvale districts. The facility also
loads around 900,000 tonnes of
fertiliser from the Phosphate Hill
manufacturing plant.
Berth 7 has had a diverse history.
It was designed in 1911 and
construction was completed in 1913.
It was the first concrete berth
constructed in the port, originally
designed as a general cargo wharf
and identified as Pier No. 1.
Products loaded in the early years
included meat, hides, tallow, wool and
copper blister from mines in the
Cloncurry district. Shiploading rates
were around 10 to 20 tonnes per hour
compared to the current maximum
design rate of 1000 tonnes per hour.
The first concentrates were received
from Mount Isa in February 1936 and
loaded across Berth 7. In this era,
a typical ship visiting Townsville ranged
from a few hundred tonnes up to
maximum 15,000 tonnes. Today ships
visiting Berth 7 range from 20,000 to
55,000 tonnes. Over the years a
number of improvements have been
made to the materials handling
equipment and storage facilities but
the original concrete structure remains
as it was constructed in 1913.
Berth 7 Townsville Port.
In 1963, Berth 7 was extended and an
independent structure was
constructed to support the current
shiploader. In this exercise the original
structure was not altered.
Over its many years of service, Berth 7
has supported the loading of many
millions of tonnes of products and is
Xstrata’s and other mining companies’
gateway to the global market for
mineral concentrates
My colleagues don’t know this, but...
Erick Hegh
IT Officer,
Townsville Refinery
Ian ‘Smiley’ Shepherd
Stores Officer,
EHM
Tim Breen
Technical Officer,
Pump and Lubrication,
Zinc-Lead Concentrator
Andy McGrath
Mining Engineer,
Mount Isa Copper Mine
My colleagues don’t know this,
but I have given more than 180
donations of blood and plasma
to the Red Cross, of which I am
very proud.
but I love rock ‘n’ roll music.
but for the entire duration of my
apprenticeship my nickname was
‘Toolman’.
but my favourite drink is chocolate
milk and sometimes I sip it with a
spoon or suck it through a straw to
make it last longer.
My favourite food is anything
Italian.
I drive a recently repaired ute
(that ran over me) and a Magna.
The person I most admire is my
wife Pat, and Richard Branson.
In my spare time I am involved
with the Freemasons and undertake
community work.
My pet hate is bigotry.
I can’t live without my health and
red wine.
My favourite food is fish
and chips.
I drive a Holden Commodore
(HSV Clubsport).
wife.
In my spare time I do jobs around
the yard.
My pet hate is waking up early.
I can’t live without my TV or
my car.
My favourite food is roast lamb.
I drive a Ford Fairmont Ghia.
sister who is widowed and raising
twin 5 year old girls on her own
and running a business.
In my spare time I enjoy watching
movies.
My pet hate is people with no
manners.
I can’t live without the internet.
My favourite food is anything
with chilli and rice.
I drive a Toyota Landcruiser ute.
The people I most admire are my
family and girlfriend for putting up
with my annoying habits.
In my spare time I play footy and
dream about our next holiday
destination.
My pet hate is when Phil Gould
commentates a State of Origin
match.
I can’t live without a beer with
the boys and a cuddle from my
girlfriend (not in order of priority).
ISSUE 88 : 13
Diminishing Fresh Water Supply
Failure of the last wet season has created
a serious fresh water shortage for Mount
Isa and the surrounding areas. Most of us
take the supply of fresh water for
granted but we must now start seriously
minimising our usage.
It is impossible for Xstrata businesses to
sustain efficient operations in Mount Isa
without a reliable fresh water supply.
However, it is imperative that we reduce
the use of fresh water to as low as
possible so that the water currently
available lasts as long as possible.
Restrictions were already recently
introduced by the Mount Isa Water Board
and to avoid further restrictions we all
need to focus on immediately reducing
our personal, household and business
water use.
In 2003 we found ourselves in a similar
situation with a period of local drought.
At this time we were able to reduce our
consumption to 23 megalitres (ML) per
day. Metal production levels have
increased since then which has placed
greater demands on our water
requirements. However, Xstrata believe
that this is still an achievable level and
has adopted 23ML per day as our new
water consumption target.
In order to achieve this target, Xstrata
has started implementing fresh water
reduction strategies across all of our
North Queensland’s sites. To help meet
our target, all employees are encouraged
to become ‘water wise’. Our success is
partly dependent on you taking the time
and making the effort to reduce water
usage wherever possible.
Mount Isa normally uses fresh water
pumped from Lake Moondarra,
16 kilometres from town. However,
Lake Moondarra has dropped below
25% capacity and Rifle Creek Dam has
dropped so low that Xstrata Mount Isa
Mines is no longer taking water out of
this dam. During the second half of 2007,
water was pumped from Lake Julius to
conserve the water in Lake Moondarra,
however due to the failed wet season,
full time pumping recommenced from
Lake Julius in March this year.
Water from Lake Julius is pumped
approximately 86 kilometres. Not only is
this expensive but there is a limit to the
pumping capacity and our fresh water
consumption must at least be reduced to
below this pumping capacity.
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines’ average daily
consumption of fresh water for the month
of June was 33ML which is the equivalent
of over 10 Olympic size swimming pools
of fresh water use per day.
Matt O’Neill, Manager Engineering, has
been appointed to the role of dedicated
Project Manager responsible for ensuring
water saving initiatives are being
implemented at our operations.
“Water in North West Queensland is
a critical asset, and the way in which
we use this precious asset has to be
sustainable to ensure a long term future
for Xstrata’s mining operations and our
local communities,” said Matt.
“The initial response to water saving by
people has been very positive. Our fresh
water consumption has already dropped
by 10%, however we still have a long
way to go to reach our target of 23ML
per day,” he said.
The initiatives being implemented across
site include additives to water used for
dust suppression and modifications
within the plants to utilise recycled water
in lieu of fresh water. Furthermore,
investigations are currently underway to
upgrade the site water recycling system
to increase the amount of recycled water
available to the plants.
Additionally, we all have a role to play
outside of work in reducing our water
consumption and becoming water wise.
This is an issue affecting everyone.
With your help we can ensure its impact
on both our business and our homes is
minimised. Visit the intranet for more
information and weekly updates on
our progress Save power,
save water
WIN!
Congratulations to Cassandra Bird,
Safety, Health, and Compliance
Administrator, for winning the award
for July’s Water Saving Initiative.
North Queensland employees
have the chance to win a monthly
prize simply by submitting their
water-saving initiatives.
Cassandra’s initiative “save power,
save water” involves installing timers
to electrical systems to turn off power
when not required. For example,
installing timers on lights to turn them
off during daylight hours and connecting
timers to lights in offices to turn them
off when not in use.
For more information and
to register your initiative,
please refer to the intranet
http://mountisa.copper.xstratanet
Turning off pumps, compressors, and
computers also helps to save power,
therefore reducing the water needed to
generate this power.
Cassandra wins the fantastic 2 dial tap
timer for her innovation entry on the
Xstrata web page link.
Winner of July’s water saving
initiative competition, Cassandra Bird.
14 : mine to market
Raiseboring triumph
at George Fisher Mine
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines’ Raiseboring team has just completed
drilling an exhaust shaft at George Fisher Mine (GFM) that
extends underground to the depth of almost two times the
height of the tallest chimney stack at Mount Isa Mines.
The removal of the 3,749 cubic metres of cuttings produced
underground was controlled by both Bill Lloyd, Contract
Operations Superintendent, and Jason Sargent, George Fisher
North Operations Superintendent.
The 487 metre-deep return air/fill raise project has taken
four months to complete using a Robbins 84R Raiseboring
machine. It broke through to the surface on 11 June at 11.15 am.
The 2.4 metre reaming of the 487 metres was completed in
only 39 days without any safety incidents.
“The process of drilling through the first 70 metres of soft
ground was quite difficult and had to be carefully managed by
the operators, but once we hit solid rock the raiseboring
machine was able to manage the rest,” said Trevor.
Drilling the exhaust shaft commenced following the
announcement of a ten million dollar underground decline
project to provide a third access between the north and south
mining operations of GFM.
The project began in February this year and at the start of the
hole the 84R Raisebore machine had to pull a total weight of
150 tonnes of rods and reamer head through the solid rock.
The raiseborer machine and shaft site had not been left
unattended, so members of the raiseboring team spent some
cold nights and hot days at the site, which is located two
kilometres north-west of the GFM Administration building.
Many employees met at the site to view the head of the raiseborer
crack through to the surface of the ground on Wednesday
11 June, marking the successful completion of the project.
Before drilling could commence, a four metre deep concrete
slab had to be constructed on site and all works were
supervised by Graham Davis, Backfill Superintendent.
Once the ground surface was cracked, a perfect shaft
measuring 2.4 metres in diameter and 487 metres deep
remained. This was quickly covered with an exhaust fan and
instantly put to use.
The 2.4 metre diameter return air/fill raise extends to 8 Level
underground and will be used to independently ventilate and
return air from underground.
“A project this size can only be safely completed by a number
of different departments working together with a common goal
in mind,” said Trevor.
The raiseboring project was overseen by Trevor Brebner –
Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) Raiseboring and Diamond
Drilling Superintendent and his team of Jeff Lawrenson – Project
Co-ordinator Operators, Darryl Beck, Paul Ward, Mick Sexton,
Joe Cross, Mark Deberg, Drago Arsenic, Greg Oliffe, Andrew
Gladstone, along with Sandvik’s Damien Finter and Supervisors
Grant Skewes, Des Albert, Jon Chalmers, Rob Jackson, Bernie
Maye and Brett Mallet.
The 84R will now have some minor maintenance completed
before being transported to Ernest Henry Mine where it will
drill the first 3.5 metre ventilation shaft for the new
underground operations.
Trevor said his team put in a tremendous effort to complete the
487 metre shaft within four months and he was very proud of
everyone’s contribution to the project.
Kevin Hendry, Executive General Manager Mount Isa Zinc Lead
operations, extended his congratulations to the raiseboring
team. “The way the raiseboring has succeeded is a testament to
the dedication and professionalism of the entire team involved,”
said Kevin
Mount Isa Mines’ Raiseboring Team complete the drilling of an exhaust shaft at George Fisher Mine.
ISSUE 88 : 15
Rest in pieces, redundant services
Boilers and surrounding services prior to removal.
Boilers and surrounding services post removal.
The majority of people will cringe at the thought of removing
asbestos-containing materials from plant which was installed up
to 40 years ago, especially now most of us have a good
knowledge of the hazards associated with asbestos. However
earlier this year the Xstrata Copper Refinery Projects and
Engineering Department in Townsville executed a project with
the primary focus of removing redundant plant and equipment,
in particular, redundant plant that contained asbestos.
Wulguru Steel Fabricators were the primary contractors and have
done a commendable job completing the scope and replacing
the voids with floor and hand rails to ensure that the area was
left in a safe condition. Casting House employees have
commented on the improvement to the area’s housekeeping and
safety and reminisced how “the boilers were once the control
centre of the refinery until made redundant 10 years ago”.
The removal of redundant services commenced in February this
year inside the casting house and was completed in May. Over
3,000 man hours were required to complete the scope which
imposed no disruptions to operations and had a total recordable
injury frequency rate (TRIFR) of 0. The project included the
removal of two 30 Tonne Cleaver Brooke boilers, other asbestos
lagged steam vessels, pumps, motors, and a maze of lagged pipe
work, duct work and electrical cabling. Most of this work
was in tight, intricate locations, some at an elevation more than
17 metres above the casting floor.
This stage of the project has been particularly important from
an asbestos management perspective, with almost 150 cubic
metres of asbestos containing waste being removed from site
and disposed of in accordance to Environmental Protection
Agency and Workplace Health and Safety regulations.
Further refurbishment tasks are scheduled for the future and
include the removal of asbestos lagged oil and steam pipe,
process equipment and the removal of obsolete naphtha tanks.
Thank you Chris Costa for your contribution
Farewell Nick
Last month we said farewell to Nick Slade, Manager
MICO Coordination. Nick has been a tremendous asset
to Mount Isa Mines and Xstrata for almost eight years.
Nick commenced work at Mount Isa Mines in 2000 as
a Rock Mechanic and worked his way up through a
number of senior roles to become MICO Coordination
Manger in January 2006. Nick will be sorely missed by
all and we wish him all the best with his new ventures
back home in the UK.
Michael Holmes, General Manager MICO,
presents Nick Slade with a farewell present.
16 : mine to market
Focus on:
Mount Isa’s concentrating processes
Over the following months we will bring
you an overview of the mining and
metallurgical processes at our North
Queensland operations. This month will
focus on the copper and zinc-lead
concentrating processes. This article
follows on from a previous series of
articles by Matt Magee describing the
copper concentrating process.
The ore that comes up from the copper
underground mines contains about 6% of
the copper-bearing mineral, chalcopyrite.
The zinc underground and open cut ores
contain approximately 10% of the
valuable zinc and lead bearing minerals;
sphalerite and galena. To separate these
minerals from the unwanted minerals and
rock, and to produce a product suitable
for smelting, we need to use a series of
processes involving grinding, flotation,
and thickening/filtration.
The ore is brought up from the various
mines using a combination of shafts
and conveyor belts. In the Copper
Concentrator, the ore is directly fed
into SAG Mills, which grind the ore.
SAG stands for Semi-Autogenous
Grinding. Inside SAG Mills which are large
rotating ‘drums’, large rocks and steel balls
(105 millimetres in diameter) are used to
break the ore. The rocks and balls are
lifted and thrown by bars that are bolted
to the inside of the mill. As the rocks and
balls impact the ore at the bottom of
the mill, rocks are progressively broken
into smaller particles to ‘liberate’ the
valuable minerals. The SAG Mills at the
Copper Concentrator have a diameter
of 9.75 metres.
Some of the ore at the Zinc-Lead
Concentrator is also processed through a
SAG Mill, however a pre-concentrating
stage called the Heavy Medium Plant
(HMP) is employed for most of the ore.
The HMP utilises the large differences in
densities between the valuable zinc-lead
minerals (generally heavy material) and
the waste minerals (typically lighter silica
material) for separation. Ore is fed into
Dense Medium Cyclones (DMC) that
operate at a set density. This density is
achieved by adding certain quantities of
ferrosilicon to the cyclone. The material
lighter than the target density will exit
through the top of the cyclone and into
the reject pile whilst the heavier material
will report to the underflow of the cyclone
and feed the Zinc-Lead Concentrator.
The ore that is processed through the
HMP is subsequently fed to Rod Mills for
the first stage of grinding. Rod Mills are
smaller than SAG Mills and are filled with
steel rods instead of balls.
To separate the valuable minerals from the
waste, it is necessary to grind the rocks to
0.15 millimetres in diameter in the copper
stream and 0.075 millimetres in diameter
in the zinc-lead stream. The SAG and Rod
Mills cannot grind to this size in one pass,
so further grinding using Ball Mills is
required. Ball Mills are large rotating
cylinders which are longer than, but not
as tall as, SAG Mills. This is because a ball
mill works by rolling balls over each other
rather than by picking them up and
throwing them across the mill. Water is
used in both SAG Milling and Ball Milling
to make a slurry (mixture of rocks and
water) for downstream processing.
To ensure that rocks are not ground up
too fine, the Ball Mills are operated with
“classifiers”. A classifier literally separates
(classifies) different particles according to
size and removes fine particles from the
circuit and sends them for downstream
processing while sending large particles
back to the mill for further grinding.
The classifiers which are used are called
Hydrocyclones and get their name
because the slurry is forced to spin (like
a cyclone) inside the equipment. Large
particles in the slurry are thrown to the
outside of the Hydrocyclone as the slurry
spins and exits through the bottom
(underflow), while fine particles get
dragged into the middle and exit through
the top of the Hydrocyclone (overflow).
In this way, coarse and fine particles
are separated.
Although the valuable minerals are
separated from the waste, even at these
sizes the sphalerite (zinc) and galena (lead)
minerals are not separated from each
other, and so cannot be sent to a smelter.
To separate them further, the Zinc-Lead
Concentrator needs to grind down the ore
to 0.008mm in diameter. This is done by
using the IsaMill™ Technology. These mills
do not contain steel media and turn like
the SAG, Ball and Rod mills but instead
use sand to help the grinding process and
contain a rapidly rotating internal stirrer.
IsaMills™ are used in both the lead and
zinc circuits.
Once the copper particles and zinc-lead
particles are ground down to the desired
size they are sent to the next part of the
concentrating circuit which separates the
valuable minerals from waste (“gangue”)
minerals through a process called flotation.
Flotation occurs by continuously adding
the slurry produced in the grinding circuit
to a series of agitated (stirred) tanks.
These tanks are known as flotation cells.
2006/2007 Vacation Student
Daniel Hitchcock takes
density measurements at
the Copper Concentrator.
Sag Mills at the Copper Concentrator.
Ball Mills inside the
Zinc-Lead Concentrator.
ISSUE 88 : 17
The Zinc-Lead Concentrator utilises an
additional pre-float stage which removes
the naturally floating carbon and iron
material that is classed as an impurity.
Without this pre-float stage the
carbonaceous material would float in the
lead circuit (the first flotation stage), and
consequently dilute the concentrate
grades and reduce recovery rates.
The flotation process works by exploiting
differences in the surface chemistry of
different minerals. To separate the
valuable minerals from the gangue
minerals such as silica or iron sulphides, a
reagent called a collector is added to the
slurry. The collector is typically SIBX
(Sodium iso-Butyl Xanthate) in the copper
concentrator and SEX (Sodium Ethyl
Xanthate) or SIPX (Sodium iso-Propyl
Xanthate) in the Zinc-Lead Concentrator.
They are called collectors because they
help to collect the wanted minerals and
separate them from other particles.
Reagents work by reacting on the surface
of the valuable minerals allowing them to
attach to the air bubbles. The air bubbles
are made by blowing air into the cell
through the agitator shaft. As the air
rises through the slurry the valuable
minerals attach to the bubbles leaving the
gangue minerals unattached and this is
how the separation between the wanted
and unwanted minerals occurs. These
bubbles float to the surface where they
overflow the lip of the cell and are
collected in launders.
The flocculant acts
like the tentacles of
an octopus, grabbing
particles and tying
them together.
In the Zinc-Lead Concentrator, both a Lead
Concentrate and a Zinc Concentrate are
produced. The lead is separated first and
the same flotation principles are used in
the zinc circuit to separate the zinc from
the slurry to form a separate
zinc concentrate.
At this point the valuable minerals are in
the launders and the waste particles are
still in the cell. The valuable minerals are
now collectively referred to as a
‘concentrate’ while the waste minerals are
called ‘tailings’. Both streams are still a
slurry of rock particles and water.
In order to process the concentrate in
the smelters, the slurry must first be dried.
Drying is done in two stages with the
majority of water being removed in a
process called ‘thickening’ and the
remainder removed by ‘filtration’.
The concentrate is pumped into a
thickener tank which removes
approximately two thirds of the water
from the slurry. A chemical called a
‘flocculant’ is added to speed this process
up. The flocculant acts like the tentacles of
an octopus, grabbing particles and tying
them together. Once the particles are
tied together they settle out much faster.
This water is then recycled and reused in
the concentrating process.
Concentrate from a zinc flotation cell.
The thickened copper and lead
concentrates are pumped to their
respective copper and lead smelters where
they are filtered to remove the
remainder of the water prior to smelting.
The thickened zinc concentrate is filtered
at the Zinc Filter Plant at Mount Isa Mines
and then the dried zinc concentrate is
transported to Townsville before being
shipped to Spain and overseas smelters for
smelting into zinc metal. The thickened
lead-concentrate is pumped to the lead
smelter which filters, dries and smelts the
concentrate to make lead metal.
The tailings from the flotation process are
used to produce backfill for the
underground mines. Backfill is used to fill
the holes underground after the ore has
been removed. To produce backfill the
tailings are processed through two plants
called the Wetfill and Paste Fill plants.
These plants also use Hydrocyclones to
separate the coarse particles from the fine
particles in the tailings. Only the coarse
particles are used for backfill which are
mixed with cement and sent underground.
The fine particles are pumped to the
tailings thickeners which work in the same
way as the concentrate thickeners
In summary, the concentrating stage
upgrades the ore to an acceptable feed
for the smelters and is a very important
part in the mining process as it would not
be possible to smelt the ore without it.
The copper and zinc-lead streams in
Mount Isa involve the same grinding,
flotation, and thickening/filtration
principles, however the circuits are very
different. The Zinc-Lead Concentrator
requires two separate flotation circuits
and many fine grinding stages to separate
the valuable minerals, while the Copper
Concentrator process is much simpler.
The Copper Concentrator recovers
approximately 90% of the valuable
minerals, while the Zinc-Lead Concentrator
recovers approximately 70-75% of each
valuable mineral.
Thank you Matt Magee for your
contribution
Thickener tanks at the
Zinc-Lead Concentrator.
18 : mine to market
Rockhana Festival –
a rockhound’s paradise
Vendors came from as far away as
Toowoomba and South Australia for this
year’s Rockhana Gem and Mineral Festival
in Cloncurry.
Jorge Bugueno, Acting Senior Geotechnical Engineer (right), shows some samples
from the EHM pit to visitors at this year’s Rockhana Festival in Cloncurry.
The fourth annual event was held at the
Mary Kathleen Memorial Park and
Museum over 5 to 6 July and attracted a
steady stream of tourists and local visitors
during the weekend.
There were 15 stalls selling opals and
colourful gems and minerals from all over
the region and beyond.
Lapidiary supplies were also available,
as was jewellery and local arts and crafts.
While the serious rock collectors were
eager to add to their collections, the
children seemed more excited about the
pink fairly floss you could buy from the
local Girl Guides.
Ernest Henry Mining supports the event
every year and this time around, it set up
an information display.
Geologists from the mine answered plenty
of questions about the rock samples
they’d brought in from the pit and about
the mining process in general
Electrical personnel attend MESC Conference
During June, 16 electrical personnel
from across the Mount Isa Mines lease
travelled to Brisbane to attend the
19th Mining Electrical Safety
Conference.
Over 270 delegates from within the
industry attended the Xstrata
sponsored conference which was held
on June 12 and 13. A number of
papers which covered a range of
topics including arc flash, touch
potential, control systems design, and
preventing electrical fires were
presented at the conference. Safety
related topics such as change
management, safety management
systems, and personnel detection
were also discussed.
Florido Bizzozero presents a paper at the MESC Conference.
Electrical and Instrument
Superintendent, Florido Bizzozero,
who also represents the metalliferous
mining sector on the Mining Electrical
Safety Committee, presented a paper
entitled ‘Controlling Touch Potential
with Equipotential Bonding’.
The Committee, who provides a
consultative service to the mining
industry with a view of improving
safety and productivity, organised
the annual conference. A trade
display of electrical supplies was run
in conjunction with the conference
ISSUE 88 : 19
St Kierans’ kids power up!
A group of students from
St Kieran’s Primary School
recently visited the new
Xstrata Power Station at
Mount Isa Mines.
Adam Purkis, Manager Major Projects, gives St Kieran’s
School students a tour of the Xstrata Power Station.
The students, who had been
learning about power as part
of the Gifted and Talented
Program at the school, had a
one-hour tour of the power
station, including a look
inside one of the engine
enclosures and a visit to the
control room.
Adam Purkis, Manager Major
Projects, hosted the tour and
explained to the students
how power was generated
by the gas-fired engines and
where it was distributed to.
St Kieran’s teacher,
Tammi Webber, said seeing
the power station in action
was a great way for the
students to understand
what they’d been learning
during the term
What are you doing at home to save water?
Kelly Malone
Environmental Advisor,
Townsville Operations
“I have my grey water
hooked up so that it waters
a section of my lawn and
garden instead of going
down the drain.”
Lynn Donaldson
Site Training and
Compliance Advisor, EHM
“We got rid of our
teenagers (so no more long
showers!). We’ve also
installed water-wise shower
heads and gone for
dual-flush toilets.”
Alex Farrar
Mine Geologist,
George Fisher Mine
“I don’t use sprinklers on the
garden or grass. Instead I
hand-water the plants.”
Dave Thomas
Senior Safety and Training
Advisor, Xstrata Copper
I have just purchased a
front loader washing machine
which uses one third of the
amount of water that our
previous machine used.
We also have a shower timer
and a dual flush system for
the toilet.
20 : mine to market
Competition heats up for the Border Run
With the Border Run fast approaching,
the competition is heating up amongst
Mount Isa Mines team’s competitors.
Team Safety is taking Steve Carson’s (aka
Mr Unpredictable) wonderful idea of
riding a bike 200 kilometres to the
Northern Territory border, very seriously.
Under the strict guidance of the Copper
City Cycling Club’s nutritional expert,
Frank Long, Team Safety have arranged a
BBQ breakfast for 4.00am on the morning
of the ride so they can have their fill of
steak and chips which, according to Frank,
will provide them with the necessary energy to complete the ride.
“To satisfy Team Safety’s appetite and
supply the necessary nutrition along the
way we have been fortunate enough to
have secured two of the best chefs as
our support team; Doc and Avanka, who
are believed to have come straight from
Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares – what
more could you ask for?” says Team
Safety member, Arthur McHugh.
Team Safety members Jason and Sam are
taking nutrition to the extreme and
having steak and chips every morning in
the lead-up to the race. Anthony Kyle on
the other hand is strictly a fruit and
vegetable man and as for the Flying
Scotsman, Arthur McHugh, well he’ll eat
and drink anything, particularly if it’s free!
Good luck to Team Safety and all other
teams competing in the Border Run to be
held on 16 August
Team Safety (from left to right): Arthur McHugh, Safety Advisor, Copper
Concentrator, Anthony Kyle, Senior Safety Advisor MICO, Paul Marston (Doc),
Safety and Training Advisor Copper Mine Engineering, Avanka Vandenberg,
Safety Advisor Copper Mine Production, and (lying down), Jason Ahearn
(aka Lance Armstrong), Safety and Training advisor MICO Coordination.
On the move
Josh Russell
Deirdrie Bushett
Peter Poulson
Dean Ashley
has recently completed his
training courses and was
promoted to an Electrician
UM2T for Xstrata Zinc.
is the new Superintendant
for Human Resources and
Administration at EHM.
has moved from Supervisor
Underground Crushing and
Conveying Mount Isa to
Supervisor Refinery
Tankhouse in Townsville.
has been promoted to
Principal Business Analyst,
Xstrata Copper North
Queensland.
ISSUE 88 : 21
Xstrata Regional Training Camp
Nine budding young tennis players from
Mount Isa were selected to take part in
the recent Xstrata Regional Training Camp
as part of the Xstrata Community
Partnership Program Queensland (XCPP
Qld) with Tennis Queensland.
Tennis Queensland’s Athlete Development Manager, Troy Ayres,
hosts the Xstrata Regional Training Camp in Mount Isa.
The two day training camp held from
18 to 19 June at the Copper City Tennis
Club is an extension of the Regional
Development Program’s weekly training
schedule. The nine children who ranged
from 8 to 12 years of age were selected
for the program based on their
performance and demonstrated potential.
Tennis Queensland’s Athlete Development
Manager, Troy Ayres, travelled to Mount
Isa to run the coaching workshop which
provided structured training to improve
and enhance the techniques and skills of
Mount Isa’s up and coming tennis players.
Copper City Tennis Club Secretary,
Theresa Braithwaite, said that it is great to
see the kids getting so much out of the
training sessions and that there had been
marked improvements in all of the
participants’ games.
“It is great for someone like Troy to
come up and be able to spend some
one-on-one time with us to help develop
our tennis skills,” said 12 year old
Tim Braithwaite.
“The program enables children in remote
areas such as Mount Isa the opportunity to
receive the same sort of training that
is available to children living in cities,”
he said
Troy said that the partnership with
Xstrata is extremely valuable and critical
in developing the next generation of
tennis players and bringing them up
through the ranks.
Andy tours North America with
Outback Queensland Barbarians
The team was made up of players from
Western Darling Downs (St George,
Toowoomba, Condamine, and
Goondiwindi), Longreach, Rockhampton,
Central Highlands (Emerald and Capella)
and Mount Isa. Andy Homuk (Mount Isa)
was also selected for the tour.
Earlier this year, Xstrata Copper’s
Andy McGrath was invited to represent
Mount Isa in the Outback Queensland
Barbarians Rugby Union tour of Canada
and the USA.
The team landed in Vancouver and
travelled to Seattle, Spokane
(Washington State) and Big Sky Country
before competing in a four day rugby
tournament in Montana. The team
travelled to the bright lights of Las Vegas
and through California, with the tour
eventually ending in Los Angeles on
16 May.
Throughout the trip, the team carried
out a number of fundraising initiatives.
This culminated in Las Vegas where
the Outback Queensland Barbarians side
took to the field in pink jerseys to raise
awareness for breast cancer research.
Jerseys were auctioned off after
the game.
“We were fortunate to win six out of
seven games played. For all team
members, the rugby tour presented
an excellent opportunity to meet new
people, experience different cultures and
promote the spirit of rugby,” said Andy
22 : mine to market
Luke’s story
Baby Luke Bartolo with big brother Kyle.
Each year the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The
Townsville Hospital cares for over 650 sick babies from across
North Queensland and the Torres Strait.
This year one of those babies was tiny Luke Bartolo from
Mount Isa, son of Xstrata Zinc employee Dave Bartolo and his wife
Julie. Luke arrived just over 12 weeks early at 27 weeks gestation.
Luke experienced a few complications, common in babies born
so prematurely. Under-developed lungs are one of the most
common problems and Luke required breathing assistance while
in hospital.
Dave said, “We were told from the start to expect many ups
and downs along the way and Julie and I certainly had many
days sitting beside our little son willing him along. He is such a
little fighter and fought hard to overcome everything that came
his way.”
“The staff of the NICU provided us with exceptional support,”
said Dave. “Everyone from the neonatologists, doctors, nursing
and support staff were always willing to offer advice and
support at any time. Being so far from home for many months,
their friendliness and compassion was very comforting. They are
all so professional and their knowledge and love for the babies
is truly amazing,” he said.
Now six months old, Luke has regular health checks, all with
positive results and is giving his parents and his adoring big
brother Kyle lots of smiles.
Through both the Queensland and North Queensland Community
Partnership Programs, Xstrata has contributed funding to
provide much needed equipment for the Neo-Natal Unit.
In 2007, Xstrata teamed with The Townsville Hospital
Foundation and an anonymous donor to provide a Retcam II
Digitial Imaging Machine for the Unit. Premature infants are
frequently exposed to high levels of oxygen in order to survive.
The more premature and the sicker a baby, the greater the
possibility of change at the back of the eye which can lead to
blindness know as Retinopathy of Prematurity. With this vital
piece of equipment, the eyes of all babies at risk are routinely
examined and early treatment is usually effective. The Retcam
also allows images to be stored for both diagnosis and
prognosis.
And this year through a partnership with the Royal Children’s
Hospital Foundation and the University of Queensland, Tiny Tom
– a mobile and wireless telemedicine system – was provided to
the unit. This telepaediatric machine allows specialist care for
infants from the Mackay region who have transferred to
Townsville Hospital. Tiny Tom joins specialists on their rounds
enabling a direct video-conference consultation with doctors
and nursing staff based in Mackay. A similar “robot” Elisa was
provided to Mount Isa Hospital through this partnership two
years ago.
Dave and Julie would like to acknowledge the contribution
that Xstrata has made to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
They were able to see first hand how new technologies can
assist the doctors with treatment for these tiny babies. After
seeing Tiny Tom in action at The Townsville Hospital, without a
doubt they believe it to be a great resource for communication
to remote hospitals
ISSUE 88 : 23
Resin Bolt Timer innovation
The Resin Bolt Timer is a tool to ensure consistent and safe
operation of resin bolt installation at Xstrata Zinc’s George Fisher
Mine (GFM). This very simple idea came from the identification
through route cause incident investigation during which it was
recognised, taking into consideration all the distractions in an
underground operating environment, that operator judgement is
variable in estimating cycle times.
The Resin Bolt Timer is not much larger than a mobile phone and
consists of a button which, when pressed, illuminates three light
emitting diodes (LEDs) in sequence. The first timed LED provides
the correct time for the “Spin” or installation phase of the cycle.
The second “Hold” cycle allows for the resin to “Set” and the third
or “Next” confirms when the operator can tension the bolt and
thereby complete the installation and move onto the next task.
A resin bolt is a solid 2.4 metre long x 20 millimetre diameter
threaded bolt. The resin cartridge is a two part epoxy mixture that
forms a bonded layer between the resin bolt and the rock surface.
The combination of bolt and resin cartridge is inserted in a drilled
hole of a set length and diameter. The bolt is spun as it is inserted
thereby mixing the resin. When the resin is set, the bolt is tensioned
against the rock surface supporting the ground.
The resin bolt timers have been fitted in all Jumbo operating cabins
within the mine and they are sighted in the operator’s field of vision
when bolting. The operator simply pushes the button once when he
is ready to begin the “Spin” cycle and then follows the LED prompts.
Should the cycle not commence after pushing the button, the
Operator simply pushes the button again to reset the sequence.
Resin bolts require a fixed process for their installation that is time
critical. There are two time critical aspects of the installation:
Spin time and Hold (set) time. Spin time refers to the time required
to spin and insert the bolt and resin cartridge in the drilled hole to
mix the two chemicals that form the resin. The Hold time refers to
how long the bolt must be held for the resin to set before the bolt
can be tensioned.
Failure to comply with the manufacturer’s instructions may result in
inadequate mixing of the resin, over mixing of the resin, or
inadequate set time. Any of these variables can result in poor ground
support quality due to:
a) inadequate mixing of the catalyst and resin, causing a weaker
than designed bond strength;
b) o
ver mixing, causing the bonds formed by the chemical reaction
to break, resulting in a weaker than designed bond strength; or
c) b
olt being tensioned earlier than the designed set time, pulling
the bolt through the resin and causing weaker than designed
bond strength and shorter bolt installation length
The idea of a Resin Bolt Timer was developed within the GFM
Operations Team and was designed and constructed by the Xstrata
Zinc Electrical Engineering Team.
Since the introduction of the Resin Bolt Timer at GFM, Xstrata
believes resin bolt installation has improved at the mine due to a
reduction in variables through removing a “Human Factor” and
thereby improving resin bolt installation.
Supporting this is the audited visual evidence of the correct length of
bolt protruding from hole collars at the end of installation and that
no resin bolts have failed the scheduled monthly pull-tests regime.
The device does not negate the need for correct training or
supervision however it assists the operator by eliminating judgement
from the task.
The device can be used in all mines using resin bolts and can be
manufactured and installed at minimal cost.
The Resin Bolt Timer can be adjusted internally to allow for varying
OEM specifications and resin requirements to be complied with.
The device can also be used in other applications where timing
is critical.
Xstrata Zinc will present its resin bolt timer innovation to the
Queensland Mining Industry Safety Conference in Townsville
this month.
Thank you Geoff Hender for your contribution
1. The operator simply pushes the button once.
2. Resin timer in spin cycle, installing the bolt.
3. Resin timer in hold cycle, resin is setting.
4. Resin is set, operator tensions the bolt.
24 : mine to market
Xstrata presents career opportunities
for young Indigenous students
Mount Isa Youth Pathways students at Xstrata’s Skills Centre.
Last month Xstrata presented career
opportunities to a group of keen young
Indigenous participants from the
Mount Isa Youth Pathways Program.
Participants consisted of year 10 students
from Spinifex Junior College.
The half-day exercise included a surface
tour of Mount Isa Mines before visiting
the Xstrata Skills Centre to meet with
apprentices, teachers and staff.
The participants listened to Xstrata’s
Skill Centre Superintendent, Dave
Watson, talk about the School-based
Apprenticeship opportunities, while
Dick Kostowski, Senior Advisor Training
and Development, spoke about the
Bursary Program.
The day concluded with a guided tour of
the Xstrata Skills Centre workshop giving
the students an opportunity to view the
training facilities for electrical and
mechanical trades.
The Mount Isa Youth Pathways
Program and Spinifex Junior Campus
thanked the Xstrata Skills Centre and
Xstrata Zinc’s Indigenous Employment
Officer, Roxann Parker, for coordinating
the educational exercise.
Ms Parker said the students showed a
keen interest to enter the mining
industry, with a special interest in
apprenticeships.
“Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is committed
to the recruitment of Indigenous people
within our operations. We believe it is
important to expose and highlight
opportunities to our future employees,
the youth of today,“ said Roxann
‘Curry’ Show a hit
There might not have been any
cattle at this year’s 29th annual
Cloncurry Show, but the event was
still a big success.
Show President, Chris Chaplain, says
around 4,000 people passed through
the gates for the show, which was
held from 13 to 15 June.
Mike Westerman, EHM’s General
Manager, saddles up for the Celebrity
Camel Race at this year’s Cloncurry Show. This photo was taken by Mount Isa’s
Tara Bailey who is six and a half years old.
The Cloncurry Show is known for its
‘Ringers Rally’ and the event drew a
huge crowd this year, as did the
fireworks on the Saturday night.
Ernest Henry Mining contributed
$5,000 towards the event as gold
sponsor and General Manager,
Mike Westerman, donned some
bright-coloured silks to compete in the
Celebrity Camel Race.
He didn’t make it through to the
final though, so perhaps better luck
next year?
ISSUE 88 : 25
Employee profiles
Sarah Whiting
Fiona Robinson
Ann Selwood
Robyn Wright
Geologist,
Handlebar Hill Open Cut mine
Graduate Environment Advisor,
EHM
Commercial Officer,
Copper Refinery
Assayer,
Mount Isa Mines
Birthplace: Ballarat, Victoria.
Birthplace: Wollongong.
Birthplace: Townsville.
Birthplace: Perth, WA.
Years with Xstrata: Only
5 months.
Years with Xstrata:
6 months.
Years with Xstrata:
18 months.
Years with Xstrata: 30.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Mapping, Voids Department
and Grade Control
Department.
Monitoring the environment
and promoting environmental
awareness on site.
Commercial invoicing and
related duties.
Analysing the copper, zinc and
lead shipments that are sold
throughout the world.
Strengths: I am easy to get
along with!
Strengths: Optimistic.
Strengths: Wicked sense of
humour.
Strengths: Honesty and
reliability.
Weaknesses: Chocolate.
Weaknesses: Red Rock chips.
Family: Son and daughter.
Family: Husband Donald,
2 married daughters
Naomi and Gillian, a son
Andrew and a beautiful
granddaughter Jemima.
Weaknesses: Chocolate.
Family: Parents, brother and
most importantly my boyfriend
Chris.
Favourite TV show/movie:
South Park – I’m addicted.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Egypt.
Five celebrities I would like
to invite to dinner: Bruce
Willis, Kevin Costner, Vin
Diesel, Johnny Depp and Jamie
Pressly.
If I could change something
it would be: To have more
time to go back home to
Victoria.
Wish for the future: To be
happy and successful.
Weaknesses: Gossip
magazines.
Family: They’re all in
Wollongong.
News.
Australia’s Next Top Model.
dreams: Backpacking through
South East Asia.
Five celebrities I would
like to invite to dinner: Dr
Phil, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt,
Oprah, and Perez Hilton.
it would be: My flatmate’s
habit of not doing the
washing up!
Wish for the future:
Enjoyment and satisfaction in
my life and career.
dreams: Maldives and the
moon.
Five celebrities I would
like to invite to dinner:
Kevin Rudd, Nelson Mandela,
Inspector Rex, Joe Hockey and
Miss Piggy.
it would be: My pay packet.
Wish for the future:
A peaceful world.
Insiders/Offsiders.
Holiday destination of your
dreams: Lake Louise, Canada.
Five celebrities I would like
to invite to dinner: Andrew
Johns, Robbie Williams, Sean
Connery, Patrick Rafter and
George Clooney (of course).
If I could change something,
it would be: Four wheel
drives to only be driven
off-road.
Wish for the future: The
Knights to win this year’s
Premiership.
EHM donates to PCYC
Cloncurry PCYC Branch Manager,
Mick Hughes, presents EHM’s General Manager,
Mike Westerman, with a certificate of appreciation.
EHM recently donated some redundant furniture
to the PCYC for them to auction. They raised more
than $8,500 at the auction.
26 : mine to market
Calendar
August
1
Cloncurry Merry Muster
Charity gold coin donation morning tea
(CRL)
5
Isa Hillside Twilight Markets
(Frank Aston Hill, Mount Isa)
6
New starter’s induction
(Mount Isa)
7
Mailman Express
(Mount Isa)
8-10
Xstrata Mount Isa 50th Rotary Rodeo
16
Border Run, charity bike ride
(Camooweal)
28
Community Information Session
(Mount Isa)
30Cancer Council Relay for Life Challenge
(Mount Isa)
September
3
(Mount Isa)
5-6
Birdsville Races
(Birdsville)
6
Mayoress’ Ball
(Mount Isa)
9 Bowen Community Information Session
10
Bowen Community Partnership Function
13-16
Cloncurry Art Show
19
School holidays begin
(Queensland)
20
Casa Grande Ball
(Mount Isa)
26-28 Mount Isa Fishing Classic
(Mount Isa)
October
1
(Mount Isa)
10Townsville Service Awards Dinner
(Townsville)
18
Battle of the Mines
(Cloncurry)
Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary
Rodeo Program of Events
Saturday 26 July Quamby Rodeo (163km NE from Mount Isa)
7pm
XXXX Rodeo Ball (Rodeo Forecourt) Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August
Cloncurry Merry Muster and Rotary Rodeo
(120km E from Mount Isa) Tuesday 5 August
6.30pm Isa Hillside Twilight Markets (Frank Aston Hill)
Wednesday 6 August
6.30am Zonta Bush Poets Breakfast (The Buffs Club)
7.30pmThe Bull Pit “Man Against Beast”
(Kalkadoon Stadium)
Thursday 7 August
TBA
Cowboy and Cowgirls Golf Day (Mount Isa Golf Club)
10amMount Isa Chamber of Commerce Best Dressed
Premises Presentation (Venue TBA)
7pm
Mailman Express (Buchanan Park Race Club)
Friday 8 August
9am
Rodeo and Time Events (Kalkadoon Stadium)
7pm
Mardi Gras Street Parade (George and Sutton St)
7.30pm Fireworks - time subject to change
(George and Sutton St)
8pmThe Bull Pit “Man Against Beast”
(Kalkadoon Stadium)
8pm
Tommy Maxwell (Xstrata Entertainment Centre)
9pmDianna Corcoran and Kirsty Lee Akers
(Xstrata Entertainment Centre)
10pm
Mental as Anything (Rodeo Forecourt)
Saturday 9 August
9am
All dayBell and Moir Ute Muster
(Xstrata Entertainment Centre)
10pmAmber Lawrence and Aleyce Simmonds
(Rodeo Forecourt)
11pm
Adam Brand (Rodeo Forecourt)
Sunday 10 August
8am
Buffs Recovery Breakfast (The Buffs Club)
9am
6.30pm Chic Frontier (Rodeo Forecourt) 7pm
Cowboys and Cowgirls Night (Kalkadoon Stadium)
**Program of Events is subject to change without notice.
ISSUE 88 : 27
Depression and men
Approximately two thirds of depression
sufferers will not seek help in the first
12 months, which may have dire
consequences. Men are far more likely
across all age groups to commit suicide.
Individuals who experience a
psychological illness often have poorer
general health and are at increased risk
of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular
disease and arthritis (AIHW, 2006).
Depression and suicide can also have far
reaching implications on the carers,
family and friends of sufferers due to
emotional and economic burden.
The following characteristics can be
associated with depression:
Depression will affect approximately one
out of four women and one out of six
men during their lifetime (ABS 2004/5).
However these statistics are not 100%
accurate as men are less likely to seek
help for depression (Beyond Blue, 2008)
and are more likely to rely on drugs and
alcohol to deal with psychological illness.
Men are more likely to associate
depression with being weak, therefore
reducing the number of men whom seek
help or treatment early on.
A normal reaction to a tragic event
(e.g. death) or an abnormal emotional
response that occurs for no apparent
reason;
A profound, prolonged, and intense
feeling of sadness, hopelessness,
worthlessness and emptiness;
Physical changes such as fatigue, sleep
disturbance, weight changes, and
muscle soreness;
Concentration, memory, and decision
making abilities can be affected and
interest in enjoyable activities may
be reduced.
MEDICAL
If you think you may have depression or a
number of these symptoms, please see
your doctor, it is important to act early.
For More information
Gemini Medical Services
07 4744 2242
Centacare Mount Isa 07 4743 4449
and Cloncurry 07 4742 0542
Employee Assistance
Program (EAP)
EAP is offered by Xstrata as a voluntary
and confidential counselling service for
employees. EAP is accessible on a private
basis or through your supervisor.
Counselling and Support for Marriage
and family problems, Grief and loss,
Personal Conflict, Gambling, Alcohol and
drug use, Stress and emotional distress as
well as other areas.
Beyond Blue 1300 252 4636 or
www.beyondblue.com.au
Download informative fact sheets
from their website.
Lifeline 13 14 11
www.lifeline.org.au
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
www.relationships.com.au
Sane Australia 1800 18 7263
www.sane.org
Calling for safety calendar cartoons
Xstrata Zinc is calling for employees to
draw cartoons representing safety in
the workplace for use in the 2009
HSEC Calendar.
One drawing will be selected from
each area within Xstrata Zinc with
each winner receiving a $150 voucher
from Red Earth.
Please ensure the drawings:
re black and white as they
A
will be used for a
colouring-in competition;
re on A4 paper, please do
A
not fold or bend; and
re attached to another
A
piece of paper with your
name, department and
contact details completed.
The cartoon drawings are to be
handed to your safety advisor.
For further information call
Taryn on 4744 6645 or
Ciara on 4744 6435
Classifieds
For sale
In memory
Ladies clothing sizes 10-16
(including a wedding dress,
ball gowns and evening attire),
2 x portacots, 1 x pram, videos
and various household items, all
in good condition. Ph: 4743 1141.
We wish to extend our
condolences to the Peut family
in the passing of Kerry Peut.
Kerry spent many years with
Mount Isa Mines and relocated
to the Sunshine Coast in 2000.
Kerry will be remembered by
many as the Drill and Blast
Foreman in the old lead mine and
for his passion of lawn bowls.
Samsung 10.1 mega pixel
digital camera – anti shake, face
recognition and plug in charger,
brand new in box $300 ono. Baby
hood net bouncer $20. Baby boys
clothes size 000. Ph: 4743 2741
3.65 Blue Fin Boat 6 HP motor,
life jackets and trailer. Rego until
February. $2,500. Ph: 4743 9473 or
0410 669 047.
Yamaha Wave-Runner and
accessories $6,000 neg. Tyres
and rims 100 series wagon – $200.
Mitsubishi Dual Cab Truck and
Crate – $35,000 neg. Bullbar and
siderails for 100 series Wagon –
$1,500 neg. Ph: 0428 105 058.
5.5m long aluminium pool
cover roller $180 ono.
Ph: 4743 7540.
2005 Holden Viva Silver,
20,000 kms. 6 mths rego. Urgent
sale – $10,000. Ph: 4743 4221.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Adam
Charley (Senior Safety Advisor
Copper Smelter Coordination
and Improvement) and his
wife Nok who were married
on Saturday 12 July.
Congratulations to Doug Nuttall
(A Crew at the Mines Power
Station) and his partner Sari
Sihvola on the birth of their
baby daughter, Gracy.
Notices
Want to learn to Rock n Roll?
Come along and learn with the
community Rock n Roll group.
Every Thursday night at 7:30pm,
Mount Isa RSL. Suitable for all ages
– families are welcome. Dancers
without their own partners are
also welcome to attend.
PHOTO COMPETITION
Wanted
Mimags! Mount Isa Mines is
endeavouring to collect a full set
of Mimags, the monthly journal
that was produced by the company
from the 1950s to the late 1980s.
Over the years many editions have
gone missing from our collection
and we are seeking assistance
from employees and other
members of the wider community
who have copies and may be
willing to donate these, or loan
them for a brief period so they can
be scanned electronically. If you
can assist, please contact Melissa
Trim at the Community Relations
Department on 4744 2965.
Second hand Child’s motorcross
protective equipment; boots size
3 (or bigger), body armour (small),
pants size 8, jersey size 8, gloves
size small. Ph Dave on 0423 826 002.
Employees from Townsville Copper
Refinery and Port Operations,
Bowen Coke Works, EHM and Mount
Isa Mines only are invited to list
items for sale. Please contact your
Community Relations Department for
the classifieds form.
All submissions are due to the Editor
by the 3rd business day of each month.
Mine to Market will not accept any
commercial advertising notices.
Congratulations to Bhargav Pavuluri
who correctly guessed that July’s
photo competition was a section of
the CRL Laboratory on page 5
Can you guess this month’s
photo competition? You will find
the answer somewhere in this
publication.
For your chance to win, email
cpeters@xstratacopper.com.au
before Friday 15 August.
The winner will receive a double
movie voucher and have their
name published in the next issue
of Mine to Market

Mine to Market - August 2008

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