Mine to Market - January 2008

ISSUE 82 : 1
minetomarket
ISSUE 82 : JANUARY 2008
Eating for shift work
How it all began: Townsville Copper Refinery
Record tonnes at George Fisher Mine
Even time roster at EHM
2 : mine to market
WELCOME
Welcome to a new year and our new look 2008 Mine to Market newsletter.
Kevin and I are pleased to be able to bring you this publication which now covers
our Xstrata Copper and Xstrata Zinc operations across North Queensland.
From 2008 onwards, not only will Mine to Market bring you stories from Bowen
Coke Works, Ernest Henry Mining, Townsville Copper Refineries, the Port Operations,
and Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, it will turn the spotlight on you, the people behind our
operations who are contributing to our joint successes.
Throughout Mine to Market you will come across a new feature of coloured boxes
at the beginning of each story. These boxes represent key areas of our business.
Corporate
Health & Safety
Environment
Community (internal and external)
General
Steve de Kruijff
Each month you will also see ‘regular’ segments such as: Employee profiles;
Vox pop (questions about a topical issue in the community or at work); Calendar dates;
My colleagues don’t know this, but…; Gemini health and safety message; On the
move (new appointments and promotions); Classifieds (for sale notices); and the
Photo competition.
Other improvements include feature profiles on our operations, work crews, teams
and departments. This is where we are looking for your input. If you have any story
ideas about projects, initiatives, milestones or achievements, then we encourage you
to contact the Editor (details at the bottom of this page).
We look forward to bringing you news from our North Queensland operations.
Next month, Kevin and I will share an overview of our key milestones for 2008.
In the interim, please remember these simple words while you are at work
“Safety starts and stops with you”.
KEVIN HENDRY
SENIOR SITE EXECUTIVE
Xstrata Zinc North Queensland
8%
3,700
5%
3,600
2%
3,500
Price (p)
-2%
3,300
-5%
3,200
-8%
3,100
-10%
-12%
3,000
-15%
2,900
-18%
Xstrata PLC
20
10
0
Nov-2007
Dec-2007
Date
Jan-2008
Percentage
0%
3,400
Volume (m)
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
Michael Hyndes, Xstrata Zinc
FRONT COVER
Kevin Hendry
Xstrata is listed on the London and Zurich
stock exchanges. As at 16 January 2008
the Xstrata share price on the London
Stock Exchange (XTA.L) was 34.38 (GBp).
STEVE DE KRUIJFF
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Xstrata Copper North Queensland
ISSUE 82 : 3
How it all began:
Townsville Copper Refinery
In the early 1950s with the proving of substantial copper
ore reserves in the lodes operated by Mount Isa Mines
Limited at Mount Isa, it became apparent that it would
be economical and highly desirable to greatly increase the
copper production rate from the mine. The satisfactory
marketing of this increased copper production that would
be well in excess of the Australian market requirements,
called for the availability of a
copper refinery strategically
The administration
located to refine copper ready
building today
for sale.
Various alternatives were
investigated and early in 1956 it
was decided to register Copper
Refineries Pty Ltd as a subsidiary
company of Mount Isa Mines
Limited for the purpose of
constructing and operating a
copper refinery at Townsville.
Land was acquired at Stuart on the
outskirts of the city in a location
that had many advantages. This
location provided proximity to
rail routes, ample land area in an
industrial district, reasonable access
to the Townsville port, access to
the labour force of the city and
other facilities such as electric
power and general services.
The tankhouse today
Once a general manager was
appointed, the company set
about the task of assembling a technical and administrative
staff able to carry out the considerable amount of design
work necessary to establish such a plant.
In order to ensure that the designs were based on
established sound practices, arrangements were made to
obtain as much technical detail available from the American
Smelting and Refining Company – a company that had
been closely associated with Mount Isa Mines Limited
for many years. The design work was carried out jointly
by technical officers from both the American Smelting
and Refining Company and Copper Refineries Pty Ltd.
Basic decisions were made to enable the main building
frames to be put in place. Then the work of designing the
remainder of the plant was carried out. This progressed
along with construction so that design and integration
of the design details could all proceed at the maximum
economic rate.
In executing the project, the Company decided to act as
the main contractor for the construction and to sublet work
to many sub contractors, each of whom was a specialist in
their own field.
Appropriate technical staff were appointed on the basis
that such staff would be suitable for integration into the
operating staff of the plant
and would be available to carry
out further construction and
operational duties in the event
of any decision to expand.
This plan worked extremely
well and yielded, as a by product,
a fully integrated workshop
maintenance staff who were
familiar with the plant equipment
having either installed or built it.
Having acted as its own
contractor, the Company
converted a number of skilled
construction operators into skilled
production operators. And so
it all began.
Operational from July 1959,
the Refinery celebrated its
official opening on 2 October,
1959 with the then Premier of
Queensland, the Hon GFR Nicklin
performing the honours. Over the
ensuing years many changes and
developments occurred including
the development of the ISA PROCESS refining technology
in the late 1970s. In 1999, forty years down the track,
CRL underwent a $61 million tankhouse expansion to
increase its refining capacity to 270,000 tonnes per annum
(tpa) of copper cathode.
A new era began in June 2003 when Mount Isa Mines
Holdings was taken over by Xstrata plc.
In 2006, for the very first time, anodes were delivered
from an outside source – a trial of 500 tonnes from PASAR
– for refining in the tankhouse. Another expansion was
completed in 2007 giving the refinery the capability to
refine 300,000tpa. In late 2007, 11,105 tonnes of anode
from Altonorte was successfully refined at the refinery, with
further shipments expected in 2008.
With its 50 year anniversary approaching next year, the
copper refinery looks forward to the future with security
and enthusiasm
4 : mine to market
Even time roster at EHM
From the 7th of January this year, Ernest Henry Mine (EHM)
will implement a new family friendly ‘Even Time’ roster.
General Manager for Ernest Henry Mining, Mr Mike
Westerman, said that this roster will allow for more
flexibility for the individual and place EHM in a more
competitive global position.
“The most significant outcomes expected from this
change will be related to safety, production and lifestyle
wellbeing,” said Mr Westerman.
“For me it is improved family time – I’ve got a young
family so I’m able to be involved with more activities
at home,” said Col Griffiths, Concentrator Production
Supervisor.
Kevin Wrigley from Dispatch says ”The best thing about
the even time roster for me is that I’m home every other
week, which means I get to spend more time with
my girlfriend.”
The EHM managers’ decision to implement the new
roster covers a number of reasons.
Meeting Expectations
The new roster was requested by our employees
following surveys and discussions over some years.
Benefits to Cloncurry
Cloncurry will be more accessible from major destinations
with additional flights from Brisbane, Townsville,
and Cairns.
This will make it easier to conduct business and work in
Cloncurry, which will in turn benefit the local community
due to the increased flight availability on Mondays.
Benefits for Employees
Incentives are available for employees to live locally in
Cloncurry to promote balance between locally based and
FIFO employees. The incentives for living locally will be an
increase in salary from $5,000 to $6,000 per annum.
In addition local employees can earn up to $15,000
per annum from voluntary extra shifts.
Benefits to EHM
The new roster and incentives are expected to reduce
workforce turnover and increase job satisfaction.
“The cost of delivering this change is significant, however
we are now well placed to attract further staff and offer
conditions which are at the forefront of the industry,“
said Mr Westerman. The even time roster was fully
implemented during January and will promote a healthy
work life balance for EHM employees
Do you agree that Queensland water should be fluoridated?
Alison Millard
Customer Services
Officer, Townsville
Dom Stoll
Graduate Metallurgist,
Copper Smelter
Kevin Granich
Maintenance Supervisor,
Bowen Coke
Rick Leeman
Safety Advisor,
George Fisher Mine
Laura Burato
Administration
Assistant, EHM
Yes. We have had
fluoridated water in
Townsville since 1964.
Recent media reports
advise fluoridated
water does help
protect teeth against
decay.
Yes. The government
needs to help protect
children’s teeth.
Yes. It is a well studied
topic abroad that has
proven benefits to
reduce tooth decay
and improve dental
hygiene.
I believe fluoridation
of Queensland’s water
is a positive step in
improving dental health
for the population
in general – not to
mention decreasing
those dreaded trips to
the dentist!
Yes, because it will
help maintain healthy
teeth as there is a
growing risk of cavities
in young children.
ISSUE 82 : 5
2007 – An excellent year
for George Fisher Mine
The George Fisher Mine team set a new benchmark for
production tonnes in a calendar month for the third consecutive
month in December.
December’s production figure of 303,533 dry metric tonnes
(dmt) was a substantial increase on the previous record set in
November. The 846,647 dmt production for the last quarter
saw the operation achieve a record financial year target.
The turn around at George Fisher has been due to the efforts
of the operation as a whole, this can be seen in the KPIs that
support the production achievement:
Record backfill tonnes placed with 1.726 million tonnes of fill
opportunities to produce additional tonnes through the decline
in the last quarter of 2008 and on into the coming years.
A big thanks from the management team to all involved
at George Fisher Mine, including Operations, Services,
Maintenance, Logistical, Technical, Management and Contractor
teams, for their efforts in 2007.
The team members will be presented with a Leatherman
multi-tool branded with the Xstrata logo as a token of thanks
for their efforts in achieving the December 2007 record.
Thank you to Geoff Hender, Acting George Fisher Mine Manager,
for his contribution
placed that include 645,188 tonnes of paste fill
Development and rehabilitation totalling 18,725 meters
exceeded the budget of 13,190 metres
Production drilling exceeded budget with 264,389 metres of
production holes drilled
These results cannot be achieved without having a culture
of working safely. The improvements in our safety statistics
reflect the changing culture at George Fisher with the Disabling
Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) dropping from 15.0 to 11.7 and the
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) dropping from 4.6 to
1.9 through the course of the year.
The future looks bright for George Fisher Mine, going forward
into 2008, the new KG53 decline/incline project linking George
Fisher North and South through the upper levels will open up
Paste Fill Plant at George Fisher Mine
Avoid Easter and school holiday confusion
Parents with school age children have been warned
by the Queensland Government to check the
school holiday calendar before they book travel or
accommodation for Easter this year to avoid confusion
and financial hardship.
For the first time in at least 10 years, the Easter
long weekend does not coincide with the end-offirst-term school holidays. Therefore, to avoid costly
disappointments, families should be aware that the
Easter long weekend will take place between Friday
21 March and Monday 24 March.
Parents may mistakenly assume the school holidays
begin with the Easter weekend, as it does most years,
but that’s not the case this year.
Easter Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays
but the school holidays do not begin until two weeks
later. This year the public school holidays will run from
7 to 11 April. Parents with children at private schools
are also urged to check what dates their holidays start.
Traders are not obliged to make changes or give
refunds for cancellations for pre-paid travel or
accommodation bookings. Consumers who make
travel or accommodation bookings, based on their
own miscalculation of holiday dates, may end up
out of pocket.
When making any travel or accommodation bookings,
you should always be sure to:
get receipts and proof of bookings;
receive confirmation in writing the cost of all
inclusive items and extras and details of any charges
for booking changes or cancellations;
provide contact details to booking or travel agents
and accommodation providers; and
if there is a problem, talk to the trader to try to
work out a mutually agreeable solution
6 : mine to market
Spinifex State College
Youth Pathways Program update
Youth Pathways Program is a school-based program that is
focussed on students at risk of disengaging from the education
system. The aim of the program is to either reengage students
into regular school at Mount Isa’s Spinifex State College, or
find a meaningful pathway to work. The program incorporates
an alternative curriculum that includes a range of communitybased agencies and organisations such as TAFE, Arilla Paper,
Turning Point, Outback Arts, and the Police Citizens Youth Club
(PCYC).
Since its inception, the Youth Pathways Program has provided
assistance to many students at risk by working closely with
several community groups to provide work experience and
alternative skills to those learned in the usual classroom
environment. Each student of the program is individually
assessed and a program tailored for the specific needs is
developed with the ultimate goal of the student being
transitioned back into mainstream schooling. Xstrata Mount Isa
Mines has funded $120,000 over three years from 2005–2007
to this initiative.
The primary focus of the program in 2007 has been to ensure
that student literacy and numeracy skills were developed to
enable these young people to participate in our community. In
2007 the college received extra funding which enabled them to
increase guidance officer hours to ensure students could access
counselling. The aim is to address some of the underlying issues
that might account for the students’ original disengagement
from education.
During 2007, Spinifex State College staff also made over two
hundred home visits to families, in addition to near daily phone
contact. This program is only successful if there is a close
relationship between the school staff and caregivers.
“At Spinifex State College we are focussed on ensuring that
we are offering an educational program suited to all of our
students. Xstrata’s Community Partnership Program funding
has supported our delivery of this very important program.
Through this program students have developed skills that will
allow them to be active participants in our community,”
said Mrs Denise Kostowski, Principal of Spinifex State College.
“Thank you Xstrata for your continued support of community
projects. By working together we have been able to positively
influence the lives of many students,” she said
Students participating in theYouth Pathways Program at Spinifex State College
ISSUE 82 : 7
Townsville community partners gather
Townsville Community Partners
Representatives from Townsville
State High School, Tropic Sun
Theatre, Lifeline, La Luna Theatre
Arts, Townsville Hospital Foundation,
Delta Society Australia, Townsville
Cycle Club, Perc Tucker Regional
Gallery, Townsville Coast Guards,
Oonoonba State School, Garbutt
State School, Mundingburra
State School, and Cancer Council
Queensland, who are involved
in Xstrata’s North Queensland
Community Partnership Program
joined Townsville Managers,
Merv Sharkey, Mark Roberts,
Dave Worelin, Greg O’Shea, and
Community Relations Officer, Avril
Plath, for morning tea in December
to celebrate another successful year
of the program. While the inaugural
partnerships (2005–2007) concluded
at the end of 2007, the morning
tea was an opportunity to celebrate
the successful outcomes of these
initiatives and those continuing on
into 2008.
With additional funding being
made available for the Community
Partnership Program for 2008–2010,
Xstrata looks forward to new
community associations this year
It’s that time again to start thinking about ways that your
department can raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The 2008 World’s Greatest Shave will be held from 13–15 March
and we are looking for volunteers from each department to
help coordinate fundraising for this worthy cause.
If you are interested, please contact your team secretary
or Catherine Peters, Community Relations,
cpeters@xstratacopper.com.au.
8 : mine to market
My colleagues don’t know this, but...
Anu Datta
Sue Wicks
Bradley James
Mike Webster
Senior Environmental Advisor,
Environment Department,
Mount Isa
Human Resources Advisor,
NQ Division
Commercial Officer,
Townsville Copper Refinery
Rehabilitation Co-ordinator,
EHM
My favourite food is seafood
of any description.
My favourite food is
anything chocolate.
My favourite food is nearly
anything that has been BBQ’d.
My favourite food is all
food! Lamb chops.
I drive a diesel 4x4.
I drive my friends home at
2am.
I drive a little white Ford
Laser. It’s not cool. The only
thing that’s missing is pink seat
covers and frangipani stickers.
I drive a Mitsubishi Triton Dual
Cab Blue and Grey.
The person I most admire is
David Attenborough.
In my spare time I like to get
outdoors.
My pet hate is evaporative air
conditioning – the time when
it’s least effective is when you
need it most!
I can’t live without my
morning cuppa.
The person I most admire is
my Mum.
In my spare time I love to
Line Dance – when I am not
involved with community
organisations.
My pet hate is ordering a side
salad and getting a bowl of
lettuce.
I can’t live without dancing,
unless there’s plenty of
shopping.
The person I most admire is
my grandfather.
The people I most admire
are those who have faced
adversity but still give to others
around them.
In my spare time I like to
cook, watch sport, go to the
track.
In my spare time I fish, camp
and enjoy spending time with
my family.
My pet hate is garage sales
My pet hate is traffic jams.
I can’t live without my wife,
beer and form guide.
I can’t live without my family
– they are most important.
Innovation improves
hygiene in Lead Smelter
Xstrata Zinc’s Lead operation is focused
on continuously improving its health,
safety, and hygiene standards.
Recently, the Lead Smelter introduced
Automatic Overshoe Cover Dispensers
for employees and visitors entering the
administration office from the smelter
and mine site. This was in response to
and following the successful trial in late
2007 involving manual placement of
overshoe covers on workboots.
The new automatic shoe dispenser at
the Lead Smelter office
“The automatic dispenser prevents
employees’ hands from coming into
contact with their workboots and helps
to reduce contact with lead, which can
generally be absorbed through inhalation
or ingestion (for example hand to mouth),”
said Scott Ezzy, Lead Smelter Manager.
“The electronic intelligence mode
machine enables employees and
visitors to place their workboot into the
allocated area and within five seconds
have it covered by an overshoe cover,”
he said.
The Lead Smelter’s Automatic Overshoe
Cover Dispenser is just one of many new
initiatives introduced across the mine
site under the guidance of Xstrata’s Lead
Committee. Based on the 100 per cent
improvement in the cleanliness of the
Lead Smelter administration office, the
machine may have the potential to be
rolled out across the lease
ISSUE 82 : 9
Whole of Emissions Study Update
Following on from an article in
September’s edition of Mine to Market,
this article is a results summary of
Phase 1 of the Whole of Emissions study
project, being undertaken in Mount Isa.
intake as well as child care centres,
and NEPM Level E Health Investigation
levels (HILs) – which sets limits for parks,
recreational open space and playing
fields, including secondary schools.
The Whole of Emissions Study was
initiated by Xstrata Mount Isa Mines
in late 2006 to assess and determine
whether there were any potential
significant risks to human and ecological
health in the Mount Isa community from
current or previous mining operations in
and around the city.
Initially, results of the analysis showed
exceedances of total concentrations
for seven sites, assuming 100 per cent
bio-availability. Bio-availability is the
portion (mg/kg) of total heavy metal
in a sample that could be potentially
absorbed by a human. This will vary
based on body mass – Child 14 kg,
and Adult 70 kg. Comparison of the
measured bio-accessibility (a measure
(mg/kg) of bio-availability of metal in a
sample that could be absorbed given
that it would have a limited time before
it is passed through the body) from the
PBET results, when applied as a factor
against total concentration, gave site
specific bio-accessibility concentrations
and showed that only a small number
of sample site/element combinations
could be considered to be a potential
risk to human health, requiring further
investigation.
The study is designed around three
material phases to investigate and assess:
1. Emissions to Land,
2. Emissions to Air, and
3. Emissions to Water.
World renowned toxicologist, Associate
Professor Barry Noller was appointed by
the Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation
(CMLR) which is part of the University of
Queensland’s highly regarded Sustainable
Minerals Institute, to undertake the
study in April 2007. His team is currently
completing the initial study into Phase 1
– Emissions to Land.
The following overview summarises the
results to date of Phase 1 of the Whole
of Emissions Study. This plain English
summary is endorsed by the CMLR,
however, it does not contain all the
comprehensive scientific details.
Overview
An initial study of Phase 1 – Emissions
to Land in the Mount Isa and Leichhardt
River area was undertaken by CMLR
between April and August 2007. The
purpose of Phase 1 was to assess the
performance and effectiveness of
remedial works completed by MIM
Holdings in cooperation with the Mount
Isa City Council and the Queensland
Government CHEM Unit, between 1991
and 1994, on historical contamination
in the river. This occurred from mining
activities and practices during the 1940s
and 1950s. During the initial Phase
1 study, 21 representative soil and
sediment samples were collected from
upstream and downstream in the
Figure 1: Soil/sediment sampling locations
(Does not include upstream/downstream
control sampling points)
Leichhardt River and are indicated in
Figure 1.
Laboratory analysis of the 21
representative samples was completed
using the Physiologically-Based Extraction
Technique (PBET) that simulates transfer
through the gastro-intestinal tract of
a human being. This method provides
a good estimate of bio-availability of
lead. Application of the percentage
of bio-accessibility as a factor to total
concentration is then applied to the
National Environment Protection
Measure (NEPM) soil guidelines as a
means of giving a more accurate
estimate of bio-availability.
Comparison of the total concentrations
of lead in soils and sediments were
then made against the NEPM Level A
Health Investigation Levels (HILs) – which
sets limits for highly sensitive land use
including vegetable gardens with less
than 10 per cent of vegetable and fruit
Samples at the Skate Park, Kruttschnitt
Oval and Splashez swimming pool, as
well as downstream in the Leichhardt
River, showed only low levels of lead.
These areas were emphatically ruled
out as being potential areas of risk to
the community.
The Leichhardt River historical mine
sediments between the Grace Street
Bridge and downstream of the velodrome
showed exceedances for lead. A desktop
risk assessment for human health shows
that an amount of two kilograms (2 kgs)
of the highest level of total lead found
would need to be consumed daily by an
adult, and 400 grams daily by a child, to
induce poisoning from lead.
Further studies are scheduled for 2008
in order to better understand the
mineralisation in the community as well
as to make more informed decisions
based on scientific facts, as part of
the recommendation from Associate
Professor Barry Noller from the University
of Queensland
10 : mine to market
Eating for shift work
When to Eat and Drink
Where possible, keep to daytime eating
patterns and relax and enjoy meals
Try having two meals at regular times
and a night meal in the middle of a night
shift before 1am. This is because a meal
eaten in the second part of the night
shift can decrease alertness.
Consider having the largest meal of the
day after the day sleep.
Avoid high protein and high fat meals
prior to going to bed as this can make it
difficult to get to sleep.
What to Eat and Drink
Limit coffee and cola drinks. Drink lots of
water instead.
Shift workers tend to sleep less due to
the rotation of night and day shifts that
disrupts their body’s circadian rhythm or
body clock. The body clock is responsible
for many of the body’s activities such as
temperature and hormone levels. It also
prepares the body for working, sleeping
and digesting food.
Eat foods high in fibre – this will assist a
sluggish gut.
Your body’s digestion slows down at
night whether you are working or not.
This makes heavy and fatty meals eaten
at night difficult to digest which can lead
to digestion problems such as heartburn,
indigestion and constipation. These can
be aggravated by things we take to keep
us awake, such as caffeine and smoking.
Avoid foods high in fat and calories as
they take longer to digest and can make
you feel drowsy.
You can manage these symptoms by
trying the following tips.
Eat light meals high in carbohydrates
such as rice, pasta, bread and salad
which are easy to digest.
Fresh fruit and low fat dairy products also
make healthy snacks.
Avoid alcohol in the last few hours before
sleeping because it lowers the quality of
sleep and overloads the bladder.
* Source: Queensland Government,
Department of Industrial Relations, Fatigue
Management Guide, Workplace Health and
Safety Queensland
New Year’s
Resolution
Ever wanted some help to kick
start your New Year’s health
resolution? Maybe you’d like
some assistance to lose a little
weight, quit smoking, manage
stress and get active?
Whatever your resolution,
a new initiative lead by Xstrata
Copper and Gemini Medical
means now you can get off to
a flying start.
The Passport to a Healthier
You program will be launched
on 28 January and will be
piloted at:
•
•
•
Site Services
MICO Coordination
(including Diamond Drilling
and Raise Boring)
Copper Smelter Maintenance
The program involves a series
of seven visits over 12 weeks
with a Registered Nurse.
The nurse will work with you
to set targets and encourage
you along the way.
On the move
Phil Cochrane
Promoted to
Reclamation and
Reliability Officer,
Supply Services,
Mount Isa
Anu Datta
New Senior
Environmental
Advisor for Zinc-lead
operations,
Mount Isa
Tom Bartlett
Promoted to Finance
and Commercial
Superintendent,
MICO,
Mount Isa
Robyn Ward
New HR Officer
for Townsville
Matt Walters
New Health and
Safety Advisor/
ERT Trainer at EHM
ISSUE 82 : 11
Calling
UNDERGROUND
workers for
Mines Rescue
Mount Isa Mines Rescue
Teams are looking for
new recruits now. By joining
the Mines Rescue Team,
you can obtain a nationally
recognised Certificate III in
Mine Emergency Response.
If you are interested, please
contact Ron Pippenbacher
on ext. 2333 or Ron
Pickering on ext. 2525 as
soon as possible so that the
preliminary groundwork
of obtaining manager’s
approvals and fitness and
medical assessments can be
carried out prior to the next
course starting early in 2008.
Paul Gentle from the Mount Isa Mines Rescue Team
12 : mine to market
Calendar
January
28
Australia Day – public holiday
30
XCPPNQ Luncheon (Mount Isa)
31
XCPPNQ Luncheon (Cloncurry)
In a workplace committed
to elimination of harassment
and discrimination
TEAM PLAYERS PLAY BY THE RULES
All employees have the right
to be treated fairly, and to
work in an environment
free from discrimination
and harassment.
February
1
XCPPNQ Luncheon (Townsville)
5–8
EHM Shutdown
6
New Starters Induction (Mount Isa)
Discrimination and
harassment are unlawful,
and are treated seriously by
Xstrata. To help us to help
you, we have trained some
of your peers to act as EEO
Contact Officers.
March
1
Isa Race Meeting
Welcome to Isa Surface Tour
(new teachers and emergency
services personnel)
2
New Starters Induction (Mount Isa)
These EEO Contact Officers are available to discuss options,
identify strategies for the resolution of grievances, and provide
support for those involved. All enquiries and discussions are
treated confidentially.
Clean up Australia Day (all sites)
Let’s get it sorted…
5
Community Information Session (Bowen)
Who are the Contact Officers?
6
XCPPNQ Luncheon (Bowen)
Copper Smelter Britt Butler
7
Zinc Anniversary Dinner (Mount Isa)
Mine Development Ian Sharratt and Adrian Kapernick
13–15 Shave for a Cure (all sites)
Copper Concentrator Arthur McHugh
15
Local Government Elections
Exploration Shirley Schultz
St Patrick’s Day
Mine Maintenance Roslyn Budd, Nathan Bullock and Don Healy
16
Curry Day
18
Community Information Session
(Mount Isa)
21Good Friday – public holiday
Boulia Camp draft and Races
22Easter Saturday
23Easter Sunday
Hughenden Country Music Festival
24
Easter Monday – public holiday
28
Copper Anniversary Dinner (Mount Isa)
Support Services and Logistics Dave Thomas
Supply and Utilities Monique Smillie
Bulk Product Transport Yvette Bawden and Garry Abel
Finance Melissa Cox
Finance Naomi Russel
Safety and Health Fiona Rogan
Xstrata Skills Centre Pete Langdon
Site Services Simone Stockwell
Zinc Lead Operations Fiona Pascoe
CRL Robyn Ward
EHM Katrina Donovan and Jim Dalton
April
2
New Starters Induction (Mount Isa)
4
Julia Creek Dirt ‘n’ Dust
Copper Anniversary Dinner (Mount Isa)
15–18 Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo
25
IT and Business Systems Nadine Hardwick
ANZAC Day – public holiday
Want to know more?
Visit the Intranet for…
• More information on EEO Contact Officer
contact details
• More information on Fair Treatment procedure
and policies for discrimination and harassment
ISSUE 82 : 13
Employee profiles
Sharon Borg
Kim Beasley
Malcolm Maddison
Robert Price
Receptionist,
Central Office
Mount Isa
Administration Assistant,
Bowen Coke Works
Superintendent Health
Safety and Training,
Ernest Henry Mine
Tyre Contract Supervisor,
George Fisher Mine and
Handlebar Hill Open Cut
Birthplace: Australia.
Birth Place: Manly, NSW.
Birthplace: Sydney.
Birthplace: Mungindi, QLD.
Years with Xstrata: 8 months.
Years with Xstrata: 4½ years.
Years with Xstrata: 2 years.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Directing incoming and
outgoing calls, filing, attending
to visitors to Central Office.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Safety/training, administration,
rehabilitation.
My role at Xstrata involves:
Site safety.
Years with Xstrata: 17 years
and 3 months.
Strengths: Outgoing and
friendly. My family.
Weaknesses: Chocolate!!!!!
Family: Husband, two
daughters and two staffys.
Favourite TV show/movie:
Criminal Intent and Deadliest
Catch.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: A private island
somewhere in the South Pacific.
Five celebrities I would like
to invite to dinner: Anyone
that’s happy to have a beer
and a bbq.
If I could change something,
it would be: Cheaper flights.
Wish for the future: More
travelling, health, wealth, and
continued happiness.
Family: Married 23 years.
I have two daughters, two
dogs and a cat.
Favourite TV show/movie:
CSI and any mysteries. Movies
I love to watch – The Hunt for
Red October, The Body Guard
and Space Jam.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Greece or Canada.
Five celebrities I would
like to invite to dinner:
Sean Connery, Kevin Costner,
Dianna Ross, Chuck Norris and
Marcia Hines.
If I could change something,
it would be: Be healthier
in 2008 and have money in
the bank, so I can do whatever
I like.
Wish for the future: To enjoy
life to the fullest and become a
grandmother.
Strengths: Approachable –
always able to listen.
My role at Xstrata involves:
I manage the Klinge & Co
tyre contract.
Weaknesses: Listen too
much! Too much tucker.
Strengths: Team work;
Positive attitude.
Family: Wife of 11 years.
Weaknesses: Chocolate.
Favourite TV show/movie:
Top Gear.
Family: Wife, Denise and one
son, John.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: Bora Bora.
Favourite TV show/movie:
Anything with lots of action.
Five celebrities I would
like to invite to dinner:
Dr Carl, Nigella Lawson, Robert
Barrett (AKA Les Norton), Paul
Featherstone, Paul Carter.
Holiday destination of my
dreams: I am going to try
a cruise.
If I could change something,
it would be: more time
at home!
Wish for the future:
Successful in any endeavour.
Five celebrities I would
like to invite to dinner:
None. I would prefer to have
my family and friends around!
If I could change something,
it would be: I am pretty
content with my life. I can’t say
I would change anything.
Wish for the future: To win
the lotto.
New Sandvik cable bolter
A new Sandvik DS420 is the latest piece of equipment for the Mount Isa Mines’
underground copper mine.
The Sandvik DS420 is a sophisticated cable bolting jumbo for rock reinforcement
in underground mines and tunnels with small and medium cross sections The full
bolting cycle can be done safely by one operator located under the canopy or in the
soundproof, air-conditioned cabin
14 : mine to market
New security contract for
Mount Isa Mines operations
mining sector. They signed a
three year contract to provide the
security personnel for the Mount Isa
Operations in November 2007.
Xstrata’s Darren Bracey with SECUREcorp’s
Coral Lowe and Gary Champion
Melbourne based security
contracting company, SECUREcorp,
has recently taken over the security
contract for the Xstrata Mount Isa
Mines operations.
SECUREcorp is a nationwide
operation providing services to
government, educational facilities,
retail properties, various critical
infrastructures and now the
SECUREcorp is a privately owned
Quality Assured Australian Security,
Cleaning and Risk Management
Company formed in 1998.
They have taken on the majority
of the personnel from the previous
provider, ISS Security, including the
site manager Ms Coral Lowe.
Security is based at the Isa Mine
Control Centre located at the R62
vehicle gate where they operate a
24/7 security control centre. They are
responsible for the monitoring of
the Cardax Security system which
covers not only security access
but fire and environmental alarm
systems for issues across the site.
One of the most important functions
of this room is taking emergency
calls through our 2222 emergency
number. They provide the link to
the site’s relevant emergency
agencies; Mine Rescue, Queensland
Fire and Rescue, and Queensland
Ambulance Service.
Essentially SECUREcorp, who
report through the Safety and
Health department is responsible
for providing security personnel
and access control for Mount
Isa Mines, Black Star Open Cut
(BSOC), Handlebar Hill Open Cut,
and George Fisher Mine. Gardenia
Street, George Fisher Mine, and
Haul Road (BSOC) gates are manned
full time by security officers. Their
role includes crib port searches and
assistance in security investigations.
SECUREcorp also provides mobile
patrols and other services to the
site including first response in
emergencies, providing road traffic
control, security for both onsite
assets and offsite assets, and vehicle
escorts on site
Apprentices compete with Xstrata Coal
During November, two Electrical
Apprentices, led by Kerri Brisbane,
Electrical Apprentice Team Leader at the
Xstrata Skills Centre, travelled to Emerald,
Queensland to compete in a Skills
Competition against first year Xstrata
Coal Apprentices.
Simon Coles competes in the Skills
Competition in Emerald
The First Year Program run by Xstrata
Coal involves all apprentices attending
TAFE for one year and completing Stage
1 for a number of trade areas including
Fabrication, Electrical, Diesel Fitting and
Mechanical Fitting. The Skills Competition
was a reflection of this program which
meant our two electrical apprentices had
to compete in the electrical section as
well as in a number of areas not normally
associated with the electrical trade.
Simon Coles finished equal first in the
Measuring and Hand skills component
with a score of 100 per cent, and third in
Electrical with 94.5 per cent. This placed
him in overall fourth position. Meanwhile,
Teresa Teaukura-Brown took out first
place in the Electrical component with
95.5 per cent and finished seventh overall.
Both apprentices gained valuable
knowledge from the experience and
really enjoyed the opportunity to
compete against their peers
ISSUE 82 : 15
Safety Calendars
Winners of the 2007 Zinc Safety Calendar Competition
Once again in 2008, Mount Isa
Mines has developed innovative
safety calendars, designed to
encourage children of mine site
employees to ask their parents
questions about working safely at
home and at the mine.
Entries will be collated by the Safety
Department and a monthly winner
drawn from the pool of correct
responses. Each monthly winner will
be awarded $150 for their colouring
efforts and $50 for a correct answer
to the safety question.
The Xstrata Zinc Safety Calendar
features cartoon images and
colouring in competitions based on
specific safety scenarios on the mine
site. Each month, children colour in
the cartoons and enter them into
a competition to be judged by the
mine’s Health Safety Environment
and Community (HSEC) Committee.
“The 2007 calendars successfully
proved to be a unique tool designed
to prompt family discussions about
safety and we encourage the users of
the 2008 calendar to do the same,”
said Mr Callaghan.
“It has been identified that children
learn so much from their parents,
so Xstrata wanted to encourage
discussion within the home about
good health and safety practices,”
said Mr Callaghan.
Similarly, the MICO calendar was sent
to all MICO employees in December.
Their calendar was based on drawing
competitions where kids were asked
to develop a safety theme, either
in the home or in the workplace.
There were six age brackets in the
competition; 4-5 yrs, 7 yrs, 8 yrs, 9yrs
and 10-12 yrs.
Winners of the competition featured
in this year’s calendar and received a
$150 Harvey Norman voucher.
“The MICO calendar is aimed at
promoting safety awareness for
children and MICO employees.
From road and pool safety, to safety
when dealing with chemicals,
kids can learn from a young age
how to act safely in potentially
dangerous situations. Likewise,
the calendar reinforces best safety
practices for our employees, both
at home and in the work place,”
said Mr John Loader, Manager
MICO Maintenance.
If any Xstrata Zinc or Mount Isa
Copper Operations employees missed
out on receiving their calendar, please
contact Taryn Dredge on ext. 6645
or Alison Fisher on ext. 8961
16 : mine to market
A day in the life of:
N3500 Mining Development Crew C
Xstrata Copper’s Mining Development crews are responsible
for advancing development headings to create drives which
allow access to production stopes and infrastructure.
They also complete rehabilitation of existing drives.
This involves the installation of rock bolts, mesh and cable
bolts. The number one priority for all employees is to work
safely and assist other crew members to remain safe and
sustain no injuries while carrying out their daily tasks.
A typical shift for a mining development crew starts on
the R62 plat where they meet with their cross-shift to
exchange hand-over information. The handover can include
notification of safety hazards and controls and issues at the
job site. They may also discuss equipment performance and
discuss what additional gear is required for the oncoming
crew to perform their work.
After catching the R62 cage to 21C level of the mine,
the crew proceed to the crib room to have the daily Positive
Attitude Safety System (PASS) meeting, a communication
tool to improve the flow of safety information and
encourage safety improvement.
Following the PASS meeting, the shift boss will go through
the daily plan with the crew, informing them what job
sites will be worked during that shift. This includes where
each crew member will be working and what needs to be
mucked, bolted, bored and fired, as well as what services
are to be installed.
Information on the progress of each job (e.g. how many
holes bored, how many loads of ore tipped etc) is provided
to PITRAM and the shift boss, before catching the cage up
at 7:45pm. On arrival back at the R62 plat, the crew see their
cross-shift (handover shift) to provide an update on the shift,
before showering and heading home for a well earned rest.
A typical crew consists of:
Shift Boss – responsible for the crew’s safety and
production performance. This includes communicating safety
and production information to the crew members, setting
priorities, facilitating training and completing job site and
safety audits.
Miners (2) – Miners operate the jumbo drill rigs and install
ground support bolts and mesh to make the drives safe.
The miners are also responsible for drilling holes in a drive
so they can be charged with explosives.
Cable bolter (1) – Cable bolters operate a drill rig which
drills and installs grouted cable bolts into the drives to
provide a deep, long term ground support.
Offsiders (2) – Offsiders work with the miners, assisting
them with loading of bolts and maintenance on the drill rigs,
as well as hot-seating during crib breaks
Truck Drivers (2) – After the trucks are loaded by the loader
operator, the truck drivers transport ore to the ore pass or
waste stock piles.
When the all-clear is given after firing, the crew departs
from the 21C level crib-room, complete pre-starts on their
vehicles, travel to the 27C crib room and then onto their
respective job sites.
Loader Operator (1) – The loader operator mucks (removes)
ore from the headings after firing, loads the trucks, and does
clean-ups where required
On arrival at the job sites, the crew carry out safety
inspections of the site and pre-start inspections on any
equipment. They also complete a risk assessment on the task
they are about to undertake.
Charger (1) – The charger installs explosives into the holes
bored out by the miners so that it can be fired at the end
of the shift. They are also responsible for carrying out facepreps to ensure a clean firing has occurred from the
previous shift
After half a day (or night’s) productive work, the crew return
to the 27C crib room and break for an hour for crib.
At the end of the shift, the crew conducts shut-down checks
and minor maintenance on all equipment to ensure it is
ready for the next crew rostered on.
Serviceman (2) – Servicemen provide services to the job
sites (air, water, drainage), hang extension cables and vent,
install DCB pins and also jack cable bolts. The Serviceman
also assists the miners by providing them with parts required
on the job such as mesh, bolts, and plates
ISSUE 82 : 17
“The PASS meeting covers topics
such as safety concerns, alerts that
have been issued, and feedback
on safety from the previous shift.”
18 : mine to market
Another successful year
for Xstrata Skills Centre
Apprentices who completed TAFE with straight Honours in 2007
The apprentices take with them a
skills set based on business needs,
an understanding of our safety
culture and practices and a desire to
continue to learn,” said Dave Watson,
Superintendent, Xstrata Skills Centre.
The following apprentices received
awards:
School Based
Apprentice of the Year – Lewis Hovi
Encouragement Award – Leigh Lorenz
School based Apprentice of the Year,
Lewis Hovi
The Xstrata Skills Centre has had another
exciting and highly successful year of
operations in 2007 with the recent
graduation of the centre’s 74 apprentices.
The graduation ceremony, held during
December, was also promoted as an
open day for the parents, partners
and friends of the apprentices.
Eleven apprentices received awards and
prizes for their outstanding achievements
and efforts throughout 2007.
“The Xstrata Skills Centre continues to
go from strength to strength. The good
results achieved by the apprentices would
not be possible without the commitment
of the Instructors and Mount Isa TAFE
teachers in setting high standards
and expectations. Fabrication
Apprentice of the Year – Ricky O’Donoghue
Encouragement Award – Robert Townsend
Mechanical Fitting
Apprentice of the Year – Cam McClymont
Encouragement Award – Shane Hill
Diesel Fitting
Apprentice of the Year – Nicholas Martell
Encouragement Award – Stephen Tattersall
Electrical
Apprentice of the Year – Teresa
Teaukura-Brown
Encouragement Award – Tamara DeLorenzi
Superintendents’ Award
Adam Keddie
Nine first year electrical apprentices
achieved straight Honours over eighteen
Stage 1 and Stage 2 subjects at TAFE. Electrical Apprentice of the Year,
Teresa Teaukura-Brown
Teresa Teaukura-Brown, also a qualified
Motor Mechanic and mother of two,
topped the group with an overall average
of 95.5 per cent.
To have nine out of thirty-one
apprentices finish with straight Honours
is not only a credit to the students
but also the Xstrata Skills Centre staff
and the Mount Isa TAFE. Many other
apprentices achieved a mix of credits
and honours and they are all to be
congratulated on their outstanding
efforts in 2007
ISSUE 82 : 19
Altonorte hosts UQ students
In July 2007, a team of 10 fourth year
metallurgical engineering students
from the University of Queensland
went on a South American field
trip to some of the world’s largest
mining and minerals processing
plants including Xstrata Copper’s
own Altonorte Smelter near
Antofagasta, Chile.
The students, some of whom will
be graduate metallurgists at Xstrata
Mount Isa Mines in 2008, spent
two weeks in Chile carrying out
survey work and inspecting the
latest technologies used in copper
production. The aim of the field trip
was to gain an understanding of the
process plant design issues of mineral
processing plants to be used in the
final year plant design course, as well
as experiencing how another culture
operates in the mining industry.
Altonorte is situated 20 kilometres
south of Antofagasta, Chile’s largest
port. As part of the visit, students
attended corporate meetings with
Xstrata North Chile in Antofagasta, where senior managers outlined
the company’s South American
operations, explained potential
developments Xstrata Copper has
for the region, and outlined the
opportunities for metallurgists in
South America.
Sante Di Pasquale from the School
of Engineering at the University of
Queensland believed that the trip
was worthwhile to provide students
with a broad range of experience
and understanding of global mineral
process operations.
In Antofagasta the students met
with fellow metallurgy students from
the Catholic University of North
Chile, who guided them around
the university and the facilities of
their metallurgy department, which
included a very advanced and well
equipped hydrometallurgy facility.
It was also a chance for the students
to discuss their opinions of the global
metallurgical industry.
“This field trip was highly beneficial
to the students from both an
engineering and cultural aspect.
It toured a broad variety of mineral
processing plants from both old style
operations to the very modern, using
latest designs and technology,”
he said.
After arriving back in Brisbane,
the students made a presentation
about their experiences to industry
representatives including Xstrata
Copper Chief Executive Officer,
Mr Charlie Sartain.
Final-year student, Mr Eddie Paul,
said the trip was organised to gain
first-hand experience of the mining
and minerals processing operations of
the world’s major mining companies.
“We saw excellent examples of
engineering practice, spoke to
senior technical engineers and
managers, and had the opportunity
to learn about Chilean culture
from metallurgy students of the
Universidad Catolica Del Norte,”
he said
Charlie Sartain, Chief Executive Officer of Xstrata Copper and David Way, Principal Metallurgist
of Xstrata Copper Australia, with the team of UQ metallurgical engineering students
Classifieds
For sale
2005 Nissan Patrol 4X4 Wagon,
white, excellent condition,
automatic, turbo diesel, cruise
control, bull Bar, side steps, fully
serviced. $47,000 o.n.o
Ph. 0419 954 244
Three B/room house 17 Emerald
St, full refrig. air con throughout,
newly renov. Ph. 07 4743 1170 or
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at www.owner.com.au Ref 37341.
VS Commodore 97 model, low
km, mag wheels, sub woofer and
amp. Very good condition, $12,000
neg. Ph. 4743 3235 after hours.
Cub camper trailer with full
annex and fly, registered till May
2008. $1,600 ono. Ph. 4743 0206 or
0427 616 759.
3 wheel pram (Phil & Ted), VGC,
grey and black, extra seat, $350.
Ph. 4743 7744 or 0439 770 752.
Great Dane x Bull Arab
puppies, 3 male and 3 female,
$350 each. BP – 226. Ph. 4743 7744
1995 EF Fairmont Sedan
119 000kms 80% tyre tread, good
condition, 4 months rego, $7,000.
Ph. 0401 217 275.
Mitsubishi Lancer Coupe 2001
excellent condition, navy blue,
14” alloys, full service history,
rego, RWC. Ph. 0403 883 440
or 4743 3659.
42 inch TV $500, 51cm TV $50,
Sony Hi Fi $100. Holden Barina
Hatchback 1992 model – highest
cash offer. All must go!!
Ph. 0421 877 466.
PHOTO COMPETITION
Queen Bed w/side tables and
mattress $600, TV cabinet $400,
coffee table $100, two seater sofa
bed $250, old solid computer desk
$50. Ph. 0437 324 285.
Cape York Trailer Extreme
Marnie Independent trailing arm
suspension with pedders foam
cell shock absorbers. 60mm stub
axles rated at 3300kg with 12”
electric brakes, Autectic 80 ltr auto
fridge, 3mm alloy storage truck
with butterfly lids 1100x1800x650
lined with marine carpet side pole
storage for poles. Queen mattress,
150x50x3 draw bar, 75x50x3
frame. 100 ltr water tank, 1 x4.5
kg gas bottle, and shower. 16” 5
stud 1/cruiser wheels and tyres.
Awning and full walls. Fold over
hydraulic boat loader, alloy rack
insert and trailer rack, and many
more extras. Ph. 0427 438 209.
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 Michelle
Arnold who correctly guessed that
December’s photo competition was
part of the giant christmas lights
which were hanging in the gum
tree outside the Isa Civic Centre.
Can you guess this month’s
photo competition? You will find
the answer somewhere in this
publication.
For your chance to win, call the
Editor on (07) 4744 3140 or email
cpeters@xstratacopper.com.au
before Tuesday 12 February.
The winner will receive a double
movie voucher and have their
name published in the next issue
of Mine to Market