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Mining projects moving forward as the sector gets smarter

30 September 2019 | BBMC Events

At the sold-out annual Rockhampton event late last week, Bowen Basin Mining Club members came out in force to network and to hear industry leaders give their insights into latest sector developments.

Peter Donaghy, Queensland Director of Coal GeoResources for the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy gave credit to the enthusiastic turnout of 240 contractors, suppliers and industry leaders who illustrate the importance of the mining sector in Central Queensland.

Mining lease applications in Queensland in 2018 soared to 19, in comparison to single digit numbers in the previous few years, signalling a positive future for the sector. Peter outlined growing investor confidence for both long-term brownfields expansions and greenfield operations, evidenced by the 25 Queensland-based advanced projects now in the exploration and construction pipeline.

Queensland’s road, rail and port network, built in part to service the mining industry, is well placed to support future growth, although the southern missing link is essential for the rollout of many new projects in the Surat Basin.

Peter urged the audience at the Rockhampton Leagues Club to actively promote their good news stories through all communication channels. The effect of social media on the industry is increasingly important, as Adani’s story so well illustrates, however positive and constructive media management and a united front have proven to be the most effective strategies for gaining a social licence to operate.

Stephen Broad, GM Asset Management and Peter Burton, Procurement Manager for Yancoal treated the audience to a detailed insight into the ways in which the company has turned around assets and innovatively managed FOR costs on every site. Yancoal is now in the top 10 of lowest cost producers in Australia and is firmly focused on the coveted No. 1 spot in coming years.

Yancoal’s determined approach to taking Tier 3 cost control mindsets into Tier 1 operations has seen Yancoal ‘shift the needle’ positively over the medium term and is a strong strategy to buffer the company against fluctuating prices and demand. One example is pushing equipment availability to higher levels, through clever maintenance, shutdown and shift arrangements.

BBMC Director Jodie Currie says that attendees at this month’s luncheon received a valuable mix of industry updates and practical information on how to supply to a major player in the industry.

“While we always aim to provide value and thought leadership at our luncheons, this month the feedback particularly indicated that attendees had extraordinary engagement with procurement and asset management team members that really will make a difference to the way they approach tendering and contract execution,” said Ms Currie.

The final BBMC luncheon for 2019 will be held in Mackay on 28 November September, featuring a panel discussion with representatives from BHP, Fitzroy Resources, U&D Mining and UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute. Tickets are available now via www.bbminingclub.com.