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‘BRAVUS DOING WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO’: DAVID BOSHOFF

04 April 2022 | BBMC Events

The BBMC kicked off the 2022 luncheon series last week with a keynote from Bravus Mining and Resources CEO David Boshoff, who updated a 200-strong audience on the Carmichael Mine and Rail Project.

As the Carmichael Project nears the end of the construction phase, exciting recent milestones include:

First coal struck in June 2021
Locomotives and wagons for the Bowen Rail Company arriving in September 2021
Payments to regional Queensland contractors topping $1 billion in October 2021
MacKellar and Bravus recruiting 60 new-to-industry operators in November 2021
Commencing railway testing and train commissioning, also in November 2021
Assembling first coal for shipment in December 2021

Mr Boshoff was particularly proud of the economic and employment impact of the Project, which has delivered more than 2,600 jobs since construction began.

“It’s a little known fact that at one stage during COVID the Labona airstrip on our site was the second-busiest regional airstrip in Australia!” he said.

Mr Boshoff also provided an update on Bravus’ environmental commitments, including zero impact to groundwater sources like the Doongmabulla Springs, ongoing management of the 30,000 hectare conservation area around the mine, and ongoing study and protection of the Black-throated Finch.

“We’re also invested in the communities where we operate, with over $2 million awarded through brand sponsorships and community grants since 2018.”

“We’re particularly fond of our Cowboys partnership, which goes beyond our branding at their games to important initiatives like the Adopt-A-School program in North Queensland schools. “

“We want to pass on an overwhelming thanks to regional supporters like the BBMC and everyone here in the room – it’s so fantastic to update everyone on the things that we said we’d do, as now we’re actually doing them.”

Mr Boshoff also gave an overview of Bravus’ operations in Australia, plus the bigger vision of parent company Adani’s mission to become the world’s largest renewable power generating company by 2030 to support a staggering 44% increase in India’s population by 2050.

“Just last year India’s power demand increased by 11%. It’s impossible to support that kind of growth with renewables alone,” he said.

“Without access to reliable and affordable power, the lives of people in India and elsewhere around the world cannot improve, and sustainable baseload coal-generated power is a part of the energy mix solution.”

“There is no question that demand for thermal coal will be strong for decades to come.”

The event, sponsored by QME and Civeo, was filled with excited attendees, many of whom hadn’t been able to network in person for most of 2021.

QME Exhibition Director Samantha Martin says it’s a sign of the resource industry’s strength, building towards a revitalised and expanded Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition in July.

“Mackay is always such a strong supporter of the mining industry and a vibrant place to host industry events – we can’t wait to bring QME to the Mackay Showgrounds from 19-21 July 2022,” she said.

The next Bowen Basin Mining Club event will be held on 26 May 2022, with Marcelo Matos, CEO of Stanmore Coal, speaking about their recent expansions and new assets in the Bowen Basin.