Mine to Market - Ernest Henry Mining

MARKET
Issue 72
March 2007
Copper Smelter initiative to reduce emissions
Following the successful replacement of the number
four converter hood late last year, the Mount Isa copper
smelter will continue this year with the replacement of
the other three converter hoods, which is planned to be
completed in early 2008.
The next phase will begin in early April, with the
replacement of the number two converter hood.
In addition to the program to replace hoods, modifications
were performed to the secondary gas capture system.
This has now been completed on all converters and has
resulted in reduced fugitive emissions within the aisle.
Experimental work is ongoing in order to further reduce
the crane aisle emissions from smoking pots, with a
pot cooling system. This idea was based on researching
other metallurgical plants’ experience and was driven
in Mount Isa by the maintenance and operational crews,
under the Smelter Improvement Project guidance.
Smelter Improvement Project Manager, Mr Paul
Telford, said the replacement of the converter hoods
would improve the draft over the converters, thus
reducing fugitive emissions and would provide a higher
concentration of sulphur dioxide to be directed to the
acid plant.
“We are committed to improving our environmental
performance, to enhance our working conditions and
to protect the community from emissions,” said Mr
Telford.
Secondary Maintenance Superintendent, Mr Mark Ezzy,
said the process of placing the hoods over the converter
involves the removal of all the old piping and cooling
panels.
“Following this the pre-assembly of the new panels at
the ground level and installation of the new cooling
panels will take place,” said Mr Ezzy.
“Connecting all the panels to the pumps and heat
exchangers, filling the system with water and a pressure
test will then be required,” he said.
“Finally, chemical treatment of the cooling water to
eliminate algae, a cold run and then hot run is required,”
said Mr Ezzy.
Working together to achieve a reduction in emissions,
are from left to right: Paul Wright, Mark Ezzy, Ovidiu
Pasca, Neil Lloyd, Darren Snashall, Don Cooper, Robin
Sciascia, Paul Telford, Jono Sanders and Ed Turley
With converter 4 now installed with a converter hood,
replacement of the hoods on the remaining three
converters is planned during scheduled converter
rebricking shutdowns, with all hoods expected to be
completed in early 2008.
Environment Manager for North Queensland Copper,
Ed Turley, said the hoods will improve process
efficiencies resulting in reduced emissions by an
additional 10% on top of the 80% capture that has
been achieved since 2001.
story continues on page 4
The total cost of the project is over four million dollars.
Inside
Anniversry dinners
6
Zincpower donate to RFDS
11
Bursaries and Scholarships
3
Environment Profiles
7
School-based-apprentices
12
Safety
4-5
Xstrata in the community
10
Gemini
16
A message
from Chief
Operating
Officer
Steve de Kruijff
A message
from General
Manager Mount
Isa Zinc Lead
Operations
Kevin Hendry
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our many
employees throughout the business centres within Xstrata
Copper North Queensland who have been working towards
our goal of zero harm while maintaining a viable business.
The preliminary annual results for Xstrata’s Zinc Business
Unit saw our EBIT rise to US$1.673 billion, more than sevenfold the previous year’s result, primarily due to significantly
higher zinc and lead prices compared to the previous year.
It is my pleasure to advise that Xstrata’s preliminary annual
results have been announced recently, and Xstrata is paving
the way to become one of the top global mining companies
in the world. This has not come about by luck, but by hard
work and determination from our dedicated employees,
and a strong business sense.
Xstrata Zinc Mount Isa Zinc Lead Operations saw a significant
safety improvement in the disabling injury severity rate from
233 in 2005 to 123 in 2006.
It gives me pleasure to announce the preliminary annual
results for 2007. Globally Xstrata Copper announced
a full year profit of EBIT $4.89 billion profit. However,
the North Queensland division achieved strong EBIT of
$970 million in 2006, a significant increase of 92% over
2005. The stronger copper price was the main contributor
to improved profitability, offset slightly by lower sales
volumes, inflationary impacts and scheduled lower grade
ore from the Ernest Henry operation.
It is easy to dwell on past achievements, but with 2007
comes a raft of new challenges for us, listed below, which
must remain our key focus:
•
•
•
•
•
•
continuing our safety improvements, with added focus
on reducing our high potential incident rates;
ensuring we further reduce our sulphur dioxide
emissions;
achieving the increased tonnages of ore and concentrate
from the mining operations required to meet our
business integrated target rate of 300ktpa of copper
cathode production by the end of 2007;
bringing in the outstanding new smelter upgrade
projects in a timely cost-effective manner to achieve
the target rate of 300ktpa;
remaining cost competitive through the cycle; and
ensuring our focus remains on attracting, retaining,
leading and developing our capable people, for without
great people we will not remain a great business for
very long.
Achieving these six areas of performance will ensure we
deliver our budget commitments for 2007, and meet the
challenges of 2008 and onwards. I look forward to working
with you on achieving our 2007 safe production goals
together.
Page | Mine to Market | March 2007
I would like to pass on my sincere gratitude to all Xstrata
Zinc Lead employees for their contribution to our 2006
performance, and offer strong encouragement to tackle the
work ahead of us, as outlined below, in order to continue to
build on this achievement.
At George Fisher Mine, further improvements are planned for
the second half of 2007 at a total capital cost of approximately
AUD$26 million in 2007, to increase shaft hoisting capacity
to its maximum infrastructure capacity of 3.1 million tonnes
per annum. Additional ground support, development and
backfill will be undertaken throughout 2007 to enable an
increase on current production levels to be achieved.
At the Black Star Open Cut mine at Mount Isa, the Stage
2 ore horizon will continue to be developed throughout
2007 and together with Stage 3 North, which commenced
development in June 2006, will provide the bulk of ore
production. Ore production from these stages is scheduled
to be accelerated in early 2007 to coincide with planned
increases in concentrator throughput.
The completion of the first stage of the Mount Isa Zinc Lead
Concentrator Re-Vamp project saw an increase in throughput
capacity from 5 million to 6.5 million tonnes per annum. We
continue our work on stage two to increase capacity to 8
million tonnes per annum, and the project is on schedule for
completion in the first half of 2008.
Three significant diamond drilling programs continued to
assess the growth and expansion of Black Star Open Cut,
Handle Bar Hill Open Cut (George Fisher South) and George
Fisher North Deep Underground. Success in these areas will
realise further extensions to the life of mine for the Mount
Isa zinc-lead operations.
Once again, with the hard work, dedication and commitment
seen over the past year, we are positioned well to build on
last year’s results in 2007, and achieve our goal of zero harm
in the workplace while maintaining our high quality work
standards.
Xstrata presents 2007 Bursary Scholarship awards
The successful 2007 recipients of Xstrata’s Scholarship
Program were announced on Tuesday 27 February.
the first year the participants have the opportunity to
complete four weeks of work experience.
Fourteen students received a $1000 bursary scholarship
while the remaining applicants were accepted onto the work
experience program.
“Depending on the student’s field of choice, second year
students have a variety of options from school-based apprenticeships, mentoring programs and more work
experience,” said Mr Kostowski.
In 2006, most of the 38 students carried out one week of
practical work experience at Mount Isa Mines in various
areas including the copper smelter, building services, site
services, finance, human resources and Black Star open cut
mine. The students were able to gain experience in a variety
of roles ranging from electrical, mechanical fitters, diesel
fitters, engineering and management-based roles.
“From a company perspective it allows Xstrata to have a
really good look at potential employees and helps us to
attract people into the mining industry. Meantime from the
student’s perspective it allows them to obtain first-hand
experience in working at a company like Xstrata,” said Mr
Kostowski.
The Scholarship Program was an initiative introduced by
Xstrata in 2004 whereby school students have the opportunity
to attend the Xstrata Skills Centre to learn about the mining
industry.
The 2007 Bursary winners are pictured above; and the
entire group of all scholarship and work experience
applicants below.
Mr Dick Kostowski, Superintendent of the Xstrata Skills
Centre, said the scholarship program has proven to be an
extremely successful program.
“By allowing students to spend some of their schooling time
here at the Mount Isa Mines, it gives them the opportunity
to have a good look at the types of jobs they are interested
in and allows them to make informed career choices,” said
Mr Kostowski.
While the Scholarship Program runs over two years, during
Stock Price
Please note
change
of date
Xstrata is listed on the London and Zurich stock exchanges. As at 7 March
2007 the Xstrata share price on the London Stock Exchange (XTA.L) was
23.75 (GBp).
Community
Information Session
The next Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Community
Information Session will be held
Date: Monday 2 April
Time: 5.30 pm
Venue: Mount Isa Civic Centre
Please join us to hear the latest news,
developments and important announcements
from Mount Isa Mines. All welcome.
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page EHM rescue team to compete in Innisfail
Ernest Henry Mining’s Emergency
Response Team has been invited
to attend the Queensland Fire
and Rescue Service’s (QFRS) Road
Accident Rescue Challenge for the
Far North Queensland Region.
Flattered to be invited, the Ernest
Henry team competed against four
other teams in the challenge on
Saturday 10 March at the Innisfail
Showgrounds.
Team captain of the Ernest Henry
Mine team, Mr Mike Webster, said
each team competed in two 20minute scenarios, where they
were judged on their rescue
techniques.
“The QFRS have offered us a
wonderful opportunity and we are
all looking forward to the challenge
were we can utilise our skills,” said
Mr Webster.
An update on the EHM team’s
results will be given in the April
issue of Mine to Market.
EHM rescue team members Mia Donnelly (medic), Bill Whamond (tooley),
Gary Birch (tooley) and Mike Webster (captain) pictured during a recent
training session.
Copper Smelter initiative to reduce emissions
continued from page 1
“Further improvements and training of operators
planned by the copper smelter are expected to increase
capture to our goal of 95% reduction of emissions,” said
Mr Turley.
“The team challenge is to achieve our production target
of 300,000 tonnes per annum of copper anode and
increase our ability to capture sulphur dioxide gas to
our goal of 95%,” said Mr Pasca.
In addition to the construction of converter hoods, work
is underway in order to achieve nine hour converter
cycles, which in conjunction with the hood replacement
will have a significant impact on reducing sulphur dioxide
released to the environment.
Initiatives that have been identified by the team
include managing the production cycle staggering of
the converters to have only two converters operating at
any time, while also reducing the delays during slag and
copper blows.
Secondary Technical and Commercial Superintendent, Mr
Ovi Pasca, formed a team to investigate what changes
are needed to achieve an average converter cycle of
nine hours.
“This is achieved by increasing the level of communication
between converters, Rotary Holding Furnace and crane
drivers and the ISASMELT,” Mr Pasca said.
“When this milestone is achieved, we will be able to
complete eight converter charges per day and operate
with only two converters in the stack. This will allow the
acid plant to fully capture the converter process gases
and eliminate the requirement of the third converter
gas emitting through the copper smelter stack,” said Mr
Pasca.
“A combined effort across the Maintenance, Operations
and Environment teams is necessary to achieve our
targets of reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide and
achieving the nine hour converter cycle,” he said.
Page | Mine to Market | March 2007
The first step in this program was to increase the
knowledge of converter operators by undertaking a
chemistry training session, and developing the 24 hour
plan and communicating it to all personnel within the
converter.
Additionally, Xstrata Copper purchased a process gas
scrubber from Cockell Creek smelter, which can be
used to clean process off-gas. The team is currently
performing a study to investigate the best possible use
for the scrubber, to further reduce emissions and get
closer to the 95% goal.
Creating a cleaner environment at R62
Following consultation between
Mount Isa Copper Operations
management, Central Safety and
the Safety Health and Environment
Committee, a new designated
Smoking Area has been established at
the R62 sub-brace effective 6 March
2007 in order to improve the working
environment for all employees.
The area is demarcated by red and
grey paint and signs which highlight
the area as a Smoking Area. All other
areas in the sub-brace (painted
green) are non-smoking areas.
A two week grace period has been
given which finishes at midnight on
Sunday 18th March. After this time
all employees are expected to smoke
only within the designated area.
Xstrata employees wait to start their shift at the R62 sub-brace
Heavyweights involved in Bridge Building competition
Several of Xstrata’s engineers put their architectural
and engineering skills to the test at the Engineers
Australia Bridge Building Competition during
January and February this year. Following weeks
of drafting, gluing and building mini-bridges made
from paddle-pop sticks, judging of the best bridges
took place on 18 February at Lake Moondarra.
The challenge was to construct a bridge consisting
of nothing but standard paddle-pop sticks bonded
by glue. The bridges were required to span a
distance of around 500 mm and were tested on
their load / weight bearing ratio.
The adult winner was Xstrata’s Mr Geoff
Woodsbey - with a ratio of 252, which meant his
bridge weighed 660 grams and it took 167 kg to
break it!
The children’s category winning team was Miss
Samantha Kollasch and Miss Jodie Kilpatrick
whose ratio was 103, weighing 730 grams and
breaking at 75 kg.
Xstrata Engineer and bridge building participant,
Mr Chris Handley, said the day was a huge success
and would definitely be repeated next year.
An entry in the paddle-pop stick bridge building competition
undergoes load testing
“The quality of the bridges entered were excellent
as they were much stronger than anticipated,” said
Mr Handley.
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page MICO employees celebrate anniversaries
Pictured celebrating their 30
year anniversaries recently
are MICO employees Phil
Houston, John Parsons, and
Nev Horwood.
The evening was held at
Casa Grande and was hosted
by Chief Operating Officer
Steve de Kruijff (centre)
and General Manager MICO,
Michael Holmes (far right)
and was a great night enjoyed
by all.
Pictured celebrating their 20
year anniversaries at Casa
Grande on the same night are
left to right:
Standing: Steve de Kruijff,
Clint Brennan, Peter Richards,
Michael Holmes.
Sitting: Graeme Van der
Vliet, Ross Booth and Tony
Goodwin.
Demolition underway at George Fisher Mine
Xstrata is donating its old compressor from George
Fisher Mine (GFM) to the Outback at Isa for use as a
display item in its museum.
Over the past month, some demolition work has taken
place at GFM. It has included dismantling the old Wet
-Fill Paste Plant, the old J53 Winder and Headframe.
A major role was cleaning out and dismantling the
old compressor building at GFM. Upon completion,
an antique compressor will be displayed at the Hard
Times Mine tourist destination in Mount Isa.
Furthermore, the old concentrator was dismantled,
however given the valuable components within the
concentrator, instead of dumping or selling the parts,
they will be recycled and reused throughout the zinc
operations.
Page | Mine to Market | March 2007
The old compressor from George Fisher Mine which is
being donated to Outback at Isa for display
New additions to the green machine:
Xstrata’s Environment Department’s grads start
Fresh from Newcastle, NSW, Jono
Sanders joins Xstrata as a Graduate
Environmental Advisor.
Alissa
Howarth
joins
the
Environmental Team as the newest
Graduate Advisor for 2007.
Ian Flood is the third Graduate
Advisor to join the Environmental
Department in 2007.
Two weeks into the job, Jono says the
most enjoyable aspect so far has to
be the people he works with and the
experiences the job provides.
With a profound love of the outdoors
and a strong interest in the mining
industry, Alissa, or Lil as she’s more
commonly known, said the amount of
diversity and opportunities available
in the environmental field was a big
drawcard for her to come to Mount
Isa Mines.
After completing university in
Newcastle, Ian was employed with
Tomago Aluminium Smelter as an
Environmental Technician for 12
months before being accepted into the
Xstrata Graduate Program.
The
Graduate
Environmental
program is made up of three lots of
eight month rotations therefore Jono’s
main responsibilities at the moment
involve the maintenance of air
quality systems as well as providing
environmental support and feedback
for the metallurgical operations.
Jono says he chose to work in the
environmental field as he enjoys
being outside and this type of work
provides diverse experiences and
opportunities as well as the exposure
to work with a range of people from
different backgrounds.
Prior to starting at Xstrata, Jono
worked for Port Waratah Coal
Services’ expansion project where
his position was an Undergraduate
Environmental Advisor as part of the
Owners Team.
Jono grew up on a deer farm just
outside Orange, NSW and is one
of three brothers. In his spare time
Jono enjoys playing footy, riding
motorbikes and fishing.
Lil’s role is to assist in the planning,
implementation and coordination of
environmental programs to ensure
compliance with relevant Government
legislation and company standards,
policies and procedures.
Before completing her degree at James
Cook University in Cairns, Lil worked
overseas in both America and the UK
in the hospitality industry. She has
also travelled extensively throughout
Europe, America and Australia.
Having been in Mount Isa for only
one month, Lil believes the most
challenging part of her job so far is
getting to know how Mount Isa Mines
works. However she feels that getting
out into the field, meeting contractors
and other staff members are the most
enjoyable and rewarding parts of her
work.
Amongst her achievements, Lil has
ridden 1,466 km around England on
a push bike, but managed to raise
$7000 for the Leukaemia Foundation
by shaving off her hair. I wonder if she
will be one of this year’s leading ladies
for the World’s Greatest Shave.
Ian’s role as an Environmental Advisor
involves monitoring and sampling
as well as responding to incidents
within the environment and providing
input into environmental issues for
the Mount Isa Copper Operations.
The graduate program involves three
batches of eight month rotations
throughout the different areas of the
operations.
Ian looks forward to the challenges
the job will bring and enjoys the
opportunity to make a positive
difference to the environment in
which we all exist.
Like most of the other graduates, Ian
and his partner initially found it hard
to leave family and friends and the
comforts of familiar surrounds, but
Ian now sees his new surroundings
as an adventure and is getting used to
life in the outback.
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page Faces of Xstrata
Page | Mine to Market | March 2007
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page Xstrata helps clean up Mount Isa
Another successful Hazardous Household Waste Amnesty
was held over 2 - 3 March as part of the Clean up Australia
Day Campaign (CUAD).
Building upon last year’s Waste Amnesty, approximately
100 people from the community attended the City Council
depot to drop off their household waste that would otherwise
be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.
Some of the household waste items were: eight 205
litre drums of hazardous waste from a variety of classes
including dangerous when wet compounds, oxidising agents,
toxic substances, flammables and corrosives. Xstrata’s
Environment Department employees also collected three
pallets of lead acid batteries, one pallet of gas bottles, 70
tins of paint and one tonne of car tyres.
Senior Environmental Engineer, Mr Nick Learoyd, said
the incorrect disposal of chemical wastes would have an
enormous impact upon the environment.
“It can lead to contamination of soils and the migration of
pollutants into waterways, water supplies and groundwater,”
Mr Learoyd said.
In full support of the Amnesty, Mr Learoyd added “the
Amnesty provides the community with the opportunity to
transfer hazardous wastes to either Government or private
organisations like Xstrata for more effective disposal.
“This in turn assists in eliminating illegal dumping and
reducing harmful impacts upon the environment” he said.
Xstrata would like to thank the Mount Isa City Council,
Cleanaway and NQ Resource Recovery, the Army Reserve
and Remploy who participated in the CUAD campaign
and helped to make the Hazardous Waste Amnesty day so
successful.
Nick Learoyd adds another battery to the growing pile of
those handed in during the hazardous household waste
amnesty
Anyone wishing to make suggestions or recommendations
on how to build upon the event for 2008 are invited to
contact Nick Learoyd on learoyd@xstratacopper.com.au
New community members visit Mount Isa Mines
Last month Xstrata welcomed new teachers, doctors,
nurses and emergency services staff and their families
to Mount Isa by inviting them along to view Mount Isa
Mines up close and personal.
The 140 new residents to Mount Isa were treated to a
surface tour of Mount Isa Mines.
Xstrata Copper’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Steve
de Kruijff welcomed newcomers to Mount Isa and
delivered a presentation of the mine’s operations.
This was followed by a two hour surface tour by bus
of Mount Isa Mines.
Xstrata would like to extend its thanks to Acting Copper
Operations and Process Manager, Mr Brett Harries,
along with Manager MICO Infrastructure Projects, Mr
Matt Magee and Superintendent Engineering Projects,
Mr Craig Thomas who conducted the tours around the
mine.
Xstrata received some very positive feedback from
those who attended, saying it was a great introduction
to the town while finding the operations very
interesting and the tour very informative.
Page 10 | Mine to Market | March 2007
Several of the 140 new community members who
attended the surface tour board the coach prior to the
tour. The tours are held annually for all new teachers,
doctors, nurses and emergency services staff who have
recently moved to Mount Isa
Xstrata in the Community
Zincpower donate $10,000 for Flying Doctor Power
Zincpower team coach Steve Hastie and team captain Peter McKellar hand over the cheque for $10,000 to RFDS Base
Manager Peter Kirkham and 2007 Spirit of Queensland fundraising entrant Maggie McDonald
Xstrata’s Zincpower football team was
delighted to donate $10,000 to the
Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) as
part of their fundraising efforts for
last year’s 10th Annual Battle of the
Mines football competition.
Based in Mount Isa, the RFDS provides
medical services throughout the north
west region including emergency aeromedical retrievals, offering primary
health care to people living in isolated
communities and transferring patients
between hospitals.
Zincpower’s team coach, Mr Steve
Hastie, along with team captain Mr
Peter McKellar, proudly donated the
$10,000 to Mr Peter Kirkham, RFDS
Base Manager, at a presentation at the
RFDS on 2 March 2007.
“The Zincpower team remain great
supporters of the RFDS as they provide
a vital service to Mount Isa and the
surrounding communities. The Battle
of the Mines event is a great way to
raise funds for such a worthy cause,”
said Mr Steve Hastie.
General Manager, Lead Smelting
Operations, Mr Fred White, would like
to thank the Zincpower team who,
along with the tremendous support
from their major sponsors, were able
to form a team of committed Xstrata
Zinc workers and compete in the
football competition.
“The team regimentally trained and
battled hard on the day enabling them
to make it to the Grand Final, where
they gained a very commendable
second place,” said Mr White.
“The camaraderie an event like this
creates between the team members,
site management and supporters is
second to none. Our boys definitely
did themselves and our company
proud with the highest level of
professionalism being displayed both
on and off the field, on the day and
during training sessions,” he said.
sponsors who, through generous
support,
made
this
significant
donation to the RFDS possible. The
team’s Gold Sponsors included ATMR,
Smorgon Steel, Bradken and Ludowici
while Silver Sponsor’s were ABC Heavy
Engineering and SKF Bearings.
A huge thanks is also extended to
Downing Teal for their donation and
Mount Isa Physiotherapy who provided
their time during training and on the
day to ensure players were prepared
and injuries were kept to a minimum.
Team coach Mr Steve Hastie said the
sponsors are a part of our community
in Mount Isa and we can’t thank them
enough for their support.
“Without these sponsors the donation
to the RFDS would not have been
possible. We hope our team made
our sponsors feel proud, and we look
The Zincpower team would like to forward to Battle of the Mines 2007,”
extend their gratitude to their many Mr Hastie concluded.
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page 11
2007 school-based apprentices embark
on their new careers
left to right - back: Jase Sauer, Karl Dillon, Anthony Jones,
Bruno De Valter, Zeke Fortune, Darren Simpson, Lewis Hovi
and Thomas Lowe - front: Leigh Lorenz, Robbie Rendall,
Joshua Maxfield, John Toth and Allan Henricks
left to right - back: Joshua Perry, Joshua Johnson, Ashley
Buchbach, Bruno De Valter, Tyron Hawkins, Billy Baillie,
Reece Webber, Paul Hicks - front: Haydon Van Der Vliet,
Glen Moore, Jawo Wollaston, Sam DeBerg, Wyatt Walsh
Xstrata’s 2007 intake of School-Based Apprentices’ started
on Monday 5 March at the Xstrata Skills Centre.
trade area they are most suited to,” said Mr De Valter.
Trained by Mr Bruno De Valter, one of Xstrata’s Apprentice
Technical Training Instructors, the 24 apprentices from
Spinifex State College and Good Shepherd Catholic College
have been divided into two groups and will attend one day
a week each.
“Initially, all the apprentices join as mechanical fitters,
however the program gives them the opportunity to sample
all the traditional trades and at the end of the year, the students
together with the instructors and their parents decide which
“Upon successful completion of the school-based
apprenticeship, students are able to apply for a full-time
apprenticeship next year,” he said.
Furthermore, some of the units studied this year can be
credited towards their full time apprenticeship.
As well as studying the various trade disciplines, the new
school-based apprentices can look forward to getting
involved in fun projects such as Xstrata’s Mining Expo
display and the construction of Xstrata’s float in the Mardi
Gras Parade as part of Mount Isa’s Rodeo celebrations.
IT Updates
Purchasing Printers
All printers that are to be used on
Xstrata sites need to conform to certain
standards to ensure compatibility,
durability and usability. For these
reasons Xstrata IT has placed a list of
approved HP and Xerox printers on
the Intranet. Please refer to this list
when considering purchasing a printer
for your department. All printers and
consumables are purchased through
MIMS via a Purchase Requisition.
Purchasing Officers will then request
approval from Xstrata IT to purchase
the printer you have requested.
Unlike desktops and laptops, printers
are not supported by CSC. If you
have a problem with a printer, you
may log a call to the helpdesk for a
Page 12 | Mine to Market | March 2007
technician to assist, however the costs
of this service will be charged back
to your department. BEM are the
local service agent for HP printers in
Mount Isa and should be contacted if
there is a suspected hardware fault or
maintenance is required.
Using loan computers
If for any reason there is a fault
with your desktop or laptop and you
are given a loan machine, it is your
responsibility to ensure all data that
is placed on the loan machine during
the loan period is removed before it is
returned to CSC. If this doesn’t occur,
CSC will remove the data for you, a
service that will be charged, before
re-issuing the machine to ensure
confidentiality.
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Customer Satisfaction Surveys (CSS)
are sent to end users via email as a
result of requesting a service from
CSC. These surveys are sent to users
at random as a means of finding out
what their experience was like using
the services CSC provide and how
CSC can improve these services for the
benefit of all end users. If you receive
a CSS, please take a few minutes to
complete it as the information is then
dissected by both Xstrata IT and CSC
to ensure the end users are getting the
best possible service and to improve
processes where possible.
If you would like wwmore information
on any of these topics, please contact a
member of Xstrata IT.
Keeping up to date while learning about safety
Xstrata Zinc employees are keeping up to date
thanks to their 2007 calendars which were put
together by many school children who entered a
colouring competition to create the 2007 calendar.
For each monthly insert in the calendar there is
a competition promoting safety in the workplace.
Entrants are required to answer several questions in
relation to safety, which are then handed to Xstrata
Zinc’s Project Training Officer who announces the
winners comprising one from each department
within Xstrata Zinc.
These winners receive a $50 gift voucher from a
local Mount Isa store. Xstrata Zinc’s winners for
January were: Iian Punch, Chloe Barr, Emmalee
O’Hara, Shannon Murphy and Rebekah Cole.
While February winners were: Gemma Murphy,
Braydon O’Hara, Brooke Donnelly, Emma Day and
Ryan Ewart. Congratulations to all who entered.
Pictured right: top - some of the successful entrants in
the colouring competition for the safety calendar and
whose entries were chosen to feature on the calendar;
bottom - a sample of the children’s artwork
Five star workshop for George Fisher Mine
A new five star heavy mobile equipment workshop at
George Fisher Mine (GFM) is progressing through its
initial construction stages.
The aim of the new workshop is to bring GFM’s mobile
maintenance standards in line with world’s best
practice.
Tying in with the new five star workshop at GFM is a
new 3,600 square metre Supply Warehouse.
Once completed, the warehouse will store critical
spares for the Zinc Operations including spares for
the smelter, the concentrator and for both GFM and
Black Star Open Cut Mine (BSOC).
General Manager Mount Isa Zinc Lead Operations, Mr
Kevin Hendry, said the initial stages of construction
are proceeding on schedule.
“The grassed area located north of the entrance road
to the mine has been cleared. The next stages involve
levelling the land, and construction on the building
will begin shortly,” said Mr Hendry.
“The workshop will meet five star standards and have
the potential to expand in the future if necessary, to
service any open pit fleet that might occur at GFM,”
he said.
Some key components of the workshop include a heavy
vehicle washdown area and a fully air conditioned
workshop, providing workers with a cool working
environment.
Construction work starts on the new heavy mobile
equipment workshop at George Fisher Mine
Construction will continue over the coming months.
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page 13
Finance Systems Project Updates
The Ellipse Business Separation and Chart of
Accounts Projects are moving into the final stages
before the Go Live date.
The purpose for Business Separation is to separate
the existing districts into more logical districts
that reflect the contribution they make to the
mining process. These contributions range from
Exploration through to Export.
The program contains projects that aim to give
better tools to financial managers and supervisors
so that staff can deliver processes and products in
a more streamlined manner.
This will enable more timely delivery of financial
information that is ready for management
consideration. It opens the way for improved
support for management decision-making and cost
benefits for the business.
The projects covered by this program are Ellipse
Business Separation, Chart of Accounts, Planning
and Reporting and Sales, Invoicing and Logistics.
The Ellipse business separation project (EBSP) is
working toward separating the geographically based
ISA and CRL districts in Ellipse into profit centre
based districts. ISA will split into the profit centres,
Copper Operations (MIC), Copper Smelter (CUS),
Zinc Operations (ZLO) and Lead Smelter (PBS) plus
two consolidation districts (CTH and ZTH). CRL will
split into Copper Refinery (CRF) and Port (PRT).
In essence, the business has reported its results
along this profit centre basis for some time. The
project is re-configuring Ellipse to reflect that
alignment.
The re-configuration will simplify the month end
process and hopefully free up the accountants’
time to enable them to undertake some strategic
analysis work rather than just working to report
results.
From an end-users point of view, little will change.
The configuration has been designed so that most
users will only need to log into one district. Where
everyone in Isa used to log into the ISA district, they
will now log into a new ‘home’ district. Apart from
some users in specialist areas like Shared Services
or the Supply department, users still only log into
one district to do their jobs.
Page 14 | Mine to Market | March 2007
In order to maintain some efficiency in purchasing
and handling, some stock items will still be kept at
the Number 1, Number 2 or Yard warehouses which
will be in the CTH district. The system is configured
to allow users to requisition from these warehouses
in a seamless manner, without having to log into
CTH.
The Chart of Accounts (CoA) restructure project
is designing a common chart of accounts for
Xstrata Copper entities. As the North Qld Lead/
Zinc businesses use a common Ellipse system to NQ
Copper, we are also including them in the project.
Xstrata’s operations in Alumbrera (MAA) and Tintaya
are also involved in the CoA project. Alumbrera has
recently converted to the new chart of accounts
and Tintaya has been using an early version of the
new chart since December 2006.
The new chart is designed to ensure consistency
across the different business units to enhance
consolidated reporting at a corporate level and
to ensure correct costing of work throughout the
business. As most people are aware, in order to
manage costs, we need to know what they are. The
correct use of costing elements in Ellipse (work
orders, project numbers and account codes) is
important to enable proper costing analysis.
These projects recently undertook the User
Acceptance Testing phase (UAT) and the project
teams are now busy rectifying the issues identified
in that exercise.
Training requirements for the workforce have
been identified and training courses are now being
scheduled for April. The training will be tailored
for the recipient with course content depending on
the extent to which each user will be affected by
the changes. All users who use the requisitioning
functionality in Ellipse will be required to attend a
short information session on the changes.
The go-live for these projects is scheduled for 1
May 2006.
If you would like further information on these
projects, please contact Nadine Hardwick on 4744
2741 or via email to
NHardwick@xstratacopper.com.au
March is Flu vaccination month
Getting the flu vaccine each year before winter is the
single best way to protect against influenza.
The Flu is a highly contagious viral disease and is easily
spread through coughing and sneezing. Each case of the
flu can cause:
•
•
•
•
5-6 days of restricted activity
3-4 days of bed disability
3 days of work absenteeism
Symptoms including: abrupt onset of fever; muscular
pains; headache; sore throat and coughing.
The Flu can persist for days or weeks, and each year 1020% of the community may be infected by the Flu.
Why it is recommended to have the Flu shot
each year?
•
•
•
•
•
It maximises health and well being
It protects from spreading the virus to friends, family
or work colleagues
Working whilst affected with influenza can be a safety
hazard
Flu can last for several days or even weeks, which
can impact on quality time with family and friends or
limit social activities
Time-off due to influenza can increase workload, or
that of those around you
Some of the common myths about the Flu
vaccine are:
1. You can get the Flu from the Flu vaccine. The Flu
vaccine does not contain live Flu virus, so it can NOT
cause influenza infection. However, some people may
experience a few aches and pains for a day or two.
The Flu vaccine takes about two weeks to provide
full protection against the Flu. People who catch Flu
during this period may mistakenly blame the vaccine
for causing the flu.
2. The Flu and the common cold are the same. The Flu
and the common cold are distinct illnesses caused
by quite different viruses. Influenza is a more severe
illness that arises suddenly in the form of fever,
headaches, muscle aches and pains, extreme tiredness
and can last up to three weeks. The common cold
occurs more gradually and causes milder symptoms
that resolve relatively quickly.
3. Some people believe they are fit and healthy, so they
don’t need the Flu Vaccine. Even fit and healthy
people can be affected by the Flu. The Flu is likely
to cause general discomfort due to aches, pains and
tiredness, and disruption to daily life. There is also the
potential to spread the flu to colleagues and family.
It is therefore worthwhile for all adults to consider
vaccination against the Flu.
4. The vaccine can cause harmful side effects. The Flu
vaccine is generally well-tolerated. Like all medicines,
vaccines may have side-effects. Some redness,
tenderness, discomfort or swelling is common at the
injection site, but this usually settles within a few
days. Some people have a slight fever, muscle pains
and generally feel a bit unwell for a few days after
vaccination. The ‘flu-like symptoms’ do not mean
they have the Flu.
Xstrata provides a free vaccination to all
employees – please provide a cost centre at
your time of visit. By appointment only at
Gemini Medical Centre Railway Ave Mount
Isa. Phone 4744 2242.
Xstrata fully supports Queensland Health’s lead in blood
testing program, and is keen for Queensland Health to
complete their statistically relevant testing sample
of 400 Mount Isa children aged between one and four
years so the results can be finalised.
While Xstrata is totally independent from Queensland
Health and is not privy to individual test results, the
company is working closely with them and other authorities
to investigate lead in blood levels in Mount Isa.
Xstrata encourages all employees and Mount Isa parents
who have children between the ages of one and four to
take advantage of the Wednesday night testing during
the month of March, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Mount
Isa Base Hospital.
March 2007 | Mine to Market | Page 15
CLASSIFIEDS
What’s this?
Classifieds are free to Mount Isa Mines’ employees. The deadline for
each issue is the first working day of every month. Forms available
on the intranet. Please keep descriptions to 25 words or less.
For sale
Wanted
2001 TOYOTA PRADO, one owner, white
3 litre turbo diesel, cruise control, roof
rack, bull bar, tow bar, spotlights, CB
radio, Aux. battery, 127,500kms, $28,000
neg. 12 months rego. Ring David on 0429
644 868
Small car to commute to work. Reliable
and economical. Under $5,000 Ph 0405 455
122
1991 EA Ford Station Wagon, good rubber,
mechanically sound, runs well, good
bodywork, no rust, bull bar $1,500 ono. Ph
0402 892 730
1994 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2 door sedan, good
tyres, runs well, 12 months rego. $4,000
ono. Ph: 0402 892 730
1983 White Toyota Landcruiser Wagon with
bull bar and sun-visor. No rust, $4,000 as
is ono. One owner. Ph 4743 4601
Kids outdoor toys. Plastic slides, squares,
table & chairs, etc. Good condition. Call
Justine 4744 2210
Housemate. Prefer male, 25+, non-smoker,
to share large 2 bdrm unit. Close to shops.
$145 / week plus bond and expenses. Ph
0422 375 266
Notices
Entertainment Unit, room for TV or Stereo
and storage space for CD’s, DVD. $300
ono. Ph 4749 1945 for more info. All offers
considered
Congratulations to John and Sue Loader
on the birth of their new baby girl on
Tuesday 6 March. John is Manager Mine
Maintenance for Copper Operations. Baby
girl Loader weighed in at 7lb 5oz and 48cm
and will be a lovely little playmate for her
sister Rhian.
Glass twin bowl vanity unit with taps in
new condition $600 ono. Ph 4749 1945 for
more info. All offers considered
Congratulations to Bradley Godkin, Shift
Electrician at George Fisher Mine on his
engagement to Vicki Neil.
TV Cabinet, timber, 1,800 mm wide x 900
mm high. $200 negotiable Ph 0401 140
792
Learn Spanish from a native Spanish speaker
from Peru, South America. All levels. Help
and advice for people travelling to Spain or
Latin America. Ph 0403 719 548 or email:
givis04ever@yahoo.com
60 VHS movies $200. Ph 0401 840 879
Removalist boxes – large $3.00 and small
$1.50. Call Kate 4744 2538
Congratuations to Damien Varley
from Xstrata Zinc who correctly
guessed last month’s photo
competition was a net post and
newly resurfaced tennis courts in
East Street.
Damien has won a double pass to
Cinema Mount Isa. Thank you to
all others who correctly guessed
the photo.
Can you guess this month’s Mount
Isa Mines photo competition
(pictured above?).
For your chance to win email
mtrim@xstratacopper.com.au
with your answer. The winner
will be drawn prior to the April
edition of Mine to Market.
Mount Isa Mines Limited
ABN: 87 009 661 447
Private Mail Bag 6
Mount Isa
Queensland 4825
Australia
Tel: (07) 4744 2011
Fax: (07) 4744 3731
www.xstrata.com
Page 16 | Mine to Market | March 2007