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Event Wrap Up – November 2019 Panel Discussion

29 November 2019 | BBMC Events

Introducing an end-of-year change of format, BBMC closed out a successful program of events for 2019 with a panel discussion, addressing the enthusiastic audience at Souths Leagues Club.

The Panel

Fernando De Mattos, Head of Technology Coal, BHP

Brett Garland, Director, Minerals Industry Safety & Health Centre, UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute

Darren Walker, General Manager Resources Development, U&D Mining, and Deputy Director, Queensland Exploration Council

Michael Gray, Project Director, Bluff PCI Management

The Discussion

Innovation

First up, the panel considered the opportunities and challenges created by emerging innovation and technologies, particularly those that stand to alter the mining industry’s future.

From Fernando’s perspective, the opportunities arising from initiatives like the Driver Safety System offer exciting possibilities. Fernando also noted that BMA’s plans to implement autonomous haulage at Goonyella Riverside had been met with support at the site, particularly the safety benefits and career opportunities. He also said no staff would lose their job as a result.

In discussing the difficulties for smaller suppliers and contractors to gain a foothold in the industry with their innovations, the panel stressed the importance of placing a priority on involvement in METS hubs and facilities. Another suggestion was that it could sometimes be more viable to test new products and innovations through smaller, greenfield projects.

Safety

The paramount importance of safety has been at the top of the industry’s agenda this year. Ensuring our people get home safely has never been more important. The panel shared their outlook on this year’s industry-wide safety reset, reflecting that:

In everyday practise, we need to be asking the fundamental (aka ‘stupid’) questions on-site and at every opportunity – this creates the inclusive culture that allows an authentic safety conversation.
Safety training needs to move from a ‘tick and flick’ exercise to ensuring people absorb the learning and can apply it in the field.
People’s personal circumstances are not taken fully into account as part of operational safety, and this is an area for improvement.
The industry needs to move from a ‘blame’ culture to one of learning from an incident, then pushing out the information to the workforce, to prevent recurrences.
Safety procedures are necessary and laudable, but can’t replace constant vigilance, and the awareness that probabilities, no matter how obscure, do happen.

Approvals

An overarching theme emerged from the panel that, although the approvals process is notoriously rigorous and long-winded, (and nobody appreciates moving goalposts), the overall outcome for Queenslanders is world-leading standards in environmental stewardship and community safety. In many other countries, people are still losing their livelihoods and even their lives due to unregulated coal production practices.

That said, throughout the process, it’s vital to be relentless in knocking on doors, always keeping the end goal in mind, and remain realistic about the inevitable extended timelines. Developing relationships with suppliers and collaborators that will withstand those extended timelines are key to long term success.

The importance of maintaining a positive social licence during development is becoming increasingly paramount. The panel urged each individual to stay aware of the positive facts and be ready to tell their story with pride, to combat the pessimism and emotion that tends to bury the facts in negative social interactions.

Skills shortage

The industry is acutely aware of the current scarcity of graduate engineers, the fact that mining engineering faculties around the world are closing, and the resulting future shortages. The panel agreed that fundamental changes are needed in employment policies that embrace and address current and future generations mindsets, in order to attract talent.

For example, having more than one set of skills to be able to move careers over several sectors is seen as a critical priority for today’s graduates. One employer or one job for life is no longer a desired scenario, and loyalty which goes both ways is not an essential attribute.

Several panel members stressed the imperative for attendees to champion the mining industry in their own worlds. This means taking opportunities to talk in schools and other student bodies about the realities and possibilities that the sector offers, and that an engineering degree doesn’t necessarily lead exclusively to an engineering career.

Looking to 2020

Fernando de Mattos – “We’re all becoming technologists in some way. 2020 is going to be more productive – it’s back to the future for us.”

Brett Garland – “Human factors in automation is going to be a growth point. Technicians who fix and maintain our automations are going to need specialised skills, including how to work in hazardous situations.”

Darren Walker – “The boom in critical minerals is on the way, and there’ll be money flowing for development and rollout. Buckle up!”

Michael Gray – “There will be swing back in price and interest in coal (and other commodities), as a result of the realisation that there is a distinct shortage and delay in new supply.”