Monthly Archives: August 2017

WASMA Alumni > Resources > News > 2017 > August
17Aug

AMEC Updates

Author WASMA Posted on

MEDIA RELEASE
Association of Mining & Exploration Companies Inc.
17 August 2017 2017 – 41
AMEC CEO Appointed

AMEC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Warren Pearce as its new CEO.

Mr Pearce was most recently the CEO of Local Government Professionals Australia WA (LGP). During his time at the LGP, Mr Pearce earned a reputation for forthright and effective advocacy on behalf of members, strong stakeholder engagement and sound policy development credentials.

Mr Pearce steered the LGP and its members through the metropolitan local government reform process, and under his leadership the LGP has experienced considerable growth of its member base, built new revenue streams and enhanced their members’ influence in public policy development.

Prior to running the LGP Mr Pearce gained broad exposure to resources industry advocacy in his role as Manager – North West & Pilbara Industry’s Community Council for the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME).

Mr Pearce has also worked as a Manager at the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and as a Principal Policy Adviser for the WA Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.

Mr Pearce completed a Bachelor of Laws at The University of Western Australia and attained an Advanced Diploma of Management from the Australian Institute of Management.

Commenting on the appointment AMEC President, Will Robinson said “Warren is a high calibre individual with a track record of achieving outcomes for members. He has demonstrated his credentials with strong and successful advocacy, member engagement and in developing new and effective communication strategies.”

Mr Pearce is looking forward to commencing his role leading the professional and dedicated team in place at AMEC in November 2017 and to engaging with the members of AMEC and advocating on their behalf.

14Aug

WASM Alumni President Reflects On His Achievements

Author WASMA Posted on
Josh Chiat Kalgoorlie Miner
Outgoing WA School of Mines Alumni Association resident Bill Beament sees fostering improved relations between the Kalgoorlie campus and Curtin University administration in Bentley as his greatest achievement in the role.
Over the past five years, Curtin has invested significant resources at WASM, including the new $32 million Agricola student accommodation, even as student numbers have declined.
Mr Beament said it was important to convince the university of the significance of the more than century-old institution, which he claimed produced 40 per cent of the Australian mining industry’s leaders.
“It punches above its weight so I think elevating that importance and getting Curtin to understand the importance of the brand . . .that was probably my proudest achievement, was getting all stake-holders aligned,” he said. “It’s
taken about 10 years to get all stakeholders aligned to a future vision of the school of mines.” Entering the role about seven years ago after previously sitting as WASMA’s vice-president, the Northern Star Resources executive chairman’s public profile has grown alongside his time at the helm.
WASM Alumni vice-president and Saracen Mineral Holdings managing director Raleigh Finlayson is being tipped as the likely frontrunner when Mr Beament stands down at the organisation’s upcoming annual meeting.
“It’s fair to say Ral’s done a great job as vice-president and he carries a lot of weight out in the members and the wider community,” Mr Beament said.
10Aug

Keeping the Incentive Scheme top of the regions priority

Author WASMA Posted on
Image: Raglan Drilling owners Hugh and Gus Lacey, Nationals deputy leader Jacqui Boydell and Bob Fagan. 
Christy Taylor Kalgoorlie Miner Wednesday 9 August

National Party WA deputy leader Jacqui Boydell met with miners from Raglan Drilling and small-scale mining companies in Kalgoorlie yesterday to hear concerns over the continuation of the $130 million Exploration Incentive Scheme.

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Ms Boydell said the EIS initiative was “exceptionally important right across the State”.

“To see the minister (Bill Johnston) attend the Diggers and Dealers forum on Wednesday night, I would hope that he could give them some assurance that the scheme would continue,” she said.

“Australia needs some assurance and confidence from the Government that we can see some continued investment through Royalties for Regions, because regional WA contributes greatly to the State’s economy and we want to see that continue obviously.”

Under the EIS, the Government co-funds up to 50 per cent of greenfields drilling by exploration companies around WA up to $200,000 and $30,000 for prospectors, and has been credited with playing a role in the Nova nickel discovery on the Fraser Range and Guyere in the Yamarna Belt.

Eastern Goldfields Prospectors Association president Cranston Edwards has applied for funding for the first time and believes the EIS is necessary for prospecting, exploration and drilling.

“I have actually seen this work for prospectors. I think it’s actually paramount that it continues,” Ms Boydell said.

The EIS is a State Government initiative, supported under Royalties for Regions and supports innovative drilling projects to continue driving the discovery of new mineral deposits in WA.

Uncertainty lies ahead until all is revealed in September’s Budget.

10Aug

WASM Alumni Patron David Flanagan’s Graphite World

Author WASMA Posted on

Demand for graphite is projected to increase 500 per cent over the next 10 years because of the expected exponential growth in the electric vehicle market, says Battery Minerals boss David Flanagan, WASM Alumni Patron

The Executive Chairman of Battery Minerals says his company’s Montepuez graphite project in Mozambique was poised to be part of the global supply solution. Graphite is a key ingredient in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles.

Montepuez hosts an indicated and inferred resource of 105.9mt at 7.74 per cent graphite at a 2.5 per cent cut-off.

Battery Minerals hopes to begin construction of its $US57 million to $US67 million project in the first half of next year, with first exports from the first quarter of 2019.

Mr Flanagan said he had chosen to hold off signing offtake agreements as part of a funding solution to the 20,000-30,000tpa project.

“The further out from a project you are, the bigger the discount you have to accept when signing offtake agreements,” he said.

Mr Flanagan said the company was entirely comfortable with Mozambique as a mining jurisdiction.

“There’s been no change in mining policy in Mozambique for 25 years,” he said.

“BHP is there, Rio is there, we already have environmental approvals and port allocation.”

The company was also investigating a downstream processing arm to add value to its product.

Shares in Battery Minerals were steady at 6.9¢ at the close

09Aug

The WA School of Mines Alumni Partners with the Gold Industry Group

Author WASMA Posted on

The Gold Industry Group is thrilled to partner with the WA School of Mines Alumni to support diversity within the school and the wider industry.

Last night at the annual WASMA & WIMWA Diggers Sundowner President Bill Beament announced the recipient of the Gold Industry Group’s Diversity Scholarship, Sarah Arnoldi.

“We are delighted to provide a diversity scholarship to WA School of Mines geology honours student Sarah Arnoldi,” said Gold Industry Group Executive Officer Rebecca Johnston.

Sarah is currently investigating the Neoproterozoic links between Australia and Antarctica.

“My current honours project involves a tectonic reconstruction of the Pinjarra Orogen, which is a metamorphic belt formed when Australia and India collided 500 million years ago,” said Sarah Arnoldi.

“This ancient mountain belt is located in key positions for reconstructions of these continents and not much work has been done on dating them.

“From what I know, no literature or research has been made into the economic potential of the orogen.”

In conjunction with her full-time study Sarah is currently working with gold exploration company, Sarama Resources, and has previously worked at Northern Star Resources and Novo Resources.

“We wish Sarah all the best and look forward to following and sharing her exciting journey,” Ms Johnston said.

The Gold Industry Group’s annual Women in Gold Sundowner with Women in Mining WA will be held on 17 November at The Perth Mint.

09Aug

Flying the Flag

Author WASMA Posted on

Bruce Butler Kal Miner Tues August 8

Northern Star Resources has approached the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to install a second flag pole at Centennial Park to fly the Aboriginal flag.

The flag pole, which will match the existing flag pole in Centennial Park, could also be the canvas for a community art project.

It is proposed that the community arts project would be held during Term 3 school holidays in September and October to align with existing school holiday activities.

City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive John Walker said the council was very excited to be able to work with Northern Star Resources over the implementation of the flag pole project.

“Northern Star have partnered with the City in the past, sponsoring different events including most recently the art prize, and they have been very proactive in initiating this project with the City, and we are hoping to expand on it to create a community art installation that engages our local young people,” he said.

“The City has had preliminary conversations about this project with the Goldfields Land and Sea Council and we are looking forward to working together to create a unique welcome statement for our community.”

Northern Star Resources executive chairman and President of the WA School of Mines Alumni Bill Beament said flying the Aboriginal flag at Centennial Park was a fitting acknowledgement to the Goldfields’ traditional owners and their enduring connection and historical contribution to the region.

Reconciliation WA chief executive James Back said meaningful reconciliation was a team effort.

“It’s all our business,” he said.

“Flying the Aboriginal flag in this manner would be a powerful and substantive symbol for the Goldfields.

“Corporate leadership for reconciliation is much needed and a vital part of the reconciliation process.

“Northern Star and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder should be acknowledged for their contribution.”

09Aug

Woodall Hall Agricola College WA School of Mines Curtin University Kalgoorlie

Author WASMA Posted on

Curtin University has officially acknowledged the contribution and influence of mining great Dr Roy Woodall by naming a residential hall at Agricola in Kalgoorlie “Woodall Hall”.

The official acknowledgement took place on Tuesday night at a WA School of Mines Alumni (WASMA) and Women in Mining WA (WIMWA) sundowner held at the WA School of Mines Graduates Hall

Curtin University Pro Vice-Chancellor Science and Engineering, Professor Andris Stelbovics spoke at the event paying tribute to Dr Woodall, describing him as one of the most instrumental individuals in the Australian resource sector.

“It is indeed an honour to acknowledge Dr Roy Woodall’s outstanding commitment and distinguished service to the mining community of WA, in the Goldfields region and beyond,” Professor Stelbovics said.

“He is the holder of some of the most prestigious awards in his field and his scientific approach to exploration has contributed to major mining discoveries in the Goldfields and Australia wide, leading to the creation of jobs, wealth, development and investment around the nation.”

Traditionally, the halls of residence at Agricola College have been named after individuals linked to the Goldfields: O’Connor after C.Y. O’Connor, remembered for his persistence and drive to deliver transformative infrastructure projects, such as the Goldfields pipeline; Moore, after Bertie Moore who was a renowned metallurgist and mining engineer who became director of the Kalgoorlie School of Mines; and Hoover after Herbert Hoover the 31st U.S. President who worked in Kalgoorlie as a mine manager in the late 1800’s.

Continuing this tradition, it was agreed that the new $30m hall at Agricola College, officially opened in January this year, should be named “Woodall Hall”. This was in recognition of Dr Roy Woodall’s outstanding commitment and distinguished service to the mining community of WA, in the Goldfields region and beyond.

Dr Woodall was not able to attend the official opening but he attended the WASMA & WIMWA Sundowner August 8 where Andris Stelbovics acknowledged the naming of Woodall Hall.

Dr Roy Woodall AO (1930 – present) born in Perth, has provided distinguished service to the mining community of Western Australia. Woodall is revered as one of, if not the most instrumental individual in the Australian resource sector. Woodall has been a recipient to a catalogue of awards that have recognised his contributions not only to research, but also to the economic, social and environmental benefit of Australia

He is the holder of some of the most prestigious awards in his field, Legend of Mining Award, Inaugural National Geoscience Champion Award, and the Mawson Medal of the Australian Academy of Science to name a few.

Along with these awards and distinctions, Woodall has contributed to numerous advisory councils, committees and bodies over his career. These include the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Geophysical Association of Australia, the Royal Society of Western Australia as well as being a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science.

His scientific approach to exploration has contributed to the mining discoveries in the Goldfields of WA and Australia wide including the Kambalda nickel field (1966), uranium at Yeelirrie (1971), the Olympic copper-gold-uranium deposits (1975), the St Ives gold field (1980), the East Spar oil-condensate field (1993) and contributed to many others. These discoveries have led to the creation of jobs, wealth, development and investment into these communities as well as Australia