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BBMC PANEL TACKLES THE TOUGH QUESTIONS FACING RESOURCES SECTOR
27 September 2021 | BBMC EventsBBMC News
ESG advances, the next wave of technology and meeting the skills shortage were all hot topics at last week’s BBMC panel discussion in Rockhampton.
Featuring panellists from the Queensland Resources Council, Hastings Deering, Yancoal and Thiess, the sold-out crowd at Rockhampton Leagues Club heard about the latest industry issues from a policy, producer, operator and supplier perspective.
The conversation crossed issues of productivity, as well as looking to the future. Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said attracting the right people to industry is absolutely critical for that future.
“The mining industry is dominated by engineers who are logical people, and they all think it’s a marvellous industry. However, young people are hearing exactly the opposite message in the media,” said Mr Macfarlane.
“It’s up to us to constantly promote the opportunities in this industry, from the backyard BBQ to the boardroom. We need to tell young people the full story of what the resources industry can do for them – and the reality is, it’s an industry that’s evolving and is one of Australia’s major drivers of innovation.”
Hastings Deering Chief Executive Officer Mark Scott agreed, saying that industry opportunities weren’t just limited to a regional or metropolitan area, or even just to trade or engineering backgrounds.
“We employ people in diesel fitting, electrics, and commerce, as well as engineers and scientists. There’s over 2700 applicants for our apprenticeship program each year. A career in the resources industry really can look like anything you want it to – you absolutely can be regionally based and have a long, well-paid career,” said Mr Scott.
But it wasn’t just people and skills reported to be in short supply – with the metallurgical coal price hitting record highs, the panel discussed current issues in acquiring everything from laptops to light vehicles.
Yancoal General Manager for Queensland and Western Australia, Jason McCallum, said that while the coal price hasn’t changed existing contracts to produce and ship coal, it has shifted the focus onto productivity.
“The only way for us to take advantage of the current market is to be busy making our sites more robust to deliver on time and at the right price, well into the future,” said Mr McCallum.
Thiess General Manager Mining Queensland Vikesh Magan agreed that this productivity focus was a key opportunity for suppliers encouraging them to work collaboratively and share solutions.
One issue for the industry that isn’t a secret is ESG, or environmental, social and governance concerns. Unsurprisingly, Ian Macfarlane believes this is a perspective problem that the resources industry needs to tackle head-on.
“It is the resources industry that’s ultimately going to be responsible for lower emissions, not the activists that glue themselves to roads in Brisbane. ESG has to be front and centre for every company in the resources sector to change our perceptions,” said Mr Macfarlane.
“We can make an enormous difference to climate change through the efficiency of our operations and the quality of our coal – it’s the best and cleanest in the world. If the world moves away from coal, our Queensland coal should be the last in the world, as the quality of our coal combined with today’s technology will help to lower emissions.”
The final BBMC luncheon for 2021 will be held on November 18th in Mackay, with a guest speaker soon to be announced. Tickets will be released in the coming weeks via www.bbminingclub.com.