There has been plenty of commentary how mining is continuing on during the Covid-19 pandemic. Industry Link Media are pleased to present positive examples of how the industry is showing the care and attention to its workers and communities. Feature Image – CMEWA via LinkedIn
The Panther prospect for Beacon Minerals has delivered some very positive results at shallow depth after results were revealed to the market.
Some highlights of the program included:
Beacon Minerals has also announced it has applied for two prospecting licenses in Timor-Leste covering an area of 12842 ha. Beacon has committed to a staged exploration program in Timor Leste subject to
In other news relating to Timor Leste, The Timor Leste Ambassador to Australia Mrs Ines Almeida and staff; and Mr Gualdino da Silva President of Autoridade Nacional do Petroleo e Minerais (ANPM) and staff managed to visit Beacon’s Jaurdi project recently. Beacon has applied to be a sponsor for the 407 Training visa. This would allow for overseas candidates to stay in Australia for up to two years to complete work place based training to improve skills. The longterm intent is to enter into a training partnership with ANPM.
“Beacon is pleased with the steady production at Jaurdi Gold Project. We continue to review different options to reduce costs and take advantage of the increasing gold price. The on‐going COVID‐19 is monitored closely by Beacon and we have in place policies and procedures to ensure the safety of the staff, consultants and the wider community. “The Company’s continues to maintain its exploration activities with the on‐going exploration program at Panther and the review of additional exploration programs that we believe will add shareholder value. The Board would like to thank Mr Gualdino Da Silva, Mrs Ines Almeldia and their staff for visiting Jaurdi, showcasing Beacon’s ability to create value in a short period of time.”
The Jaurdi Gold Project produced 6905oz of gold for the March 2020 quarter with gold sales of 5,033oz at an average sale price of $2,346A$/oz. In to the next quarter, hedges of 1000oz per month are places at $2,331A$/oz for April, May and June.
As a transport provider based in WA after starting in Geelong, Victoria in 1959, Sykes Transport is operating business as usual. General Freight services are continuing around WA and also interstate despite hard border controls. But the freight levels and loads for Sykes Transport continue and remain constant. The demand on logistics and the transport industry is quite profound at the moment. Air freight has become a luxury and some brands have opted to take express delivery away from options for purchasers. The express option generally involves air freight.
Sykes Transport however, continue to provide services in the same way day in day out. Managing Director David Sykes gave us an overview of how business was operating as usual.
“A very large part of our operation is to service those businesses that support the mining industry, both in the Goldfields and in the Pilbara. Those businesses are providing critical employment opportunities for locals. While we have had to change the way we do things, we have ensured that there is no change in our transport schedules or level of service. Right now that is more critical than ever.”
Mr Sykes says that the effect of the Coronavirus on the business from an operations point of view has meant implementing new structures and processes.
“While our customers may not have noticed any interruption to their usual level of service we have had to be diligent to ensure the safety of our staff and clients from the threat of Coronavirus. Some changes that we have implemented include splitting our operations and workshop staff into A and B teams, strict sanitary procedures in all vehicles and offices, controlling access to our depots in a manageable fashion, admin staff working from home and limiting interactions between our drivers and clients to name a few. As the threat and available information has continued to evolve, we have continued to update and implement new procedures.”
The crystal ball is not working in regards to a vision of the other side, yet Sykes Transport continues to look big picture.
“Our company was established in 1959 and we are very proud to have a trading history spanning greater than sixty years. While we have never experienced anything like the current Corona crisis in our past, we will continue to apply our proven strategy of collaboration, adaptation and innovation in order to best serve the needs of our clients through these difficult times and beyond. Internally that means updating our ISO business management systems and processes as necessary and externally it means keeping that critical dialogue and communication open with our clients to ensure we are meeting their needs.”
While things are still all going ahead well, Mr Sykes also added that he wished the best to those who are doing things tough in particular those affected by the legislation introduced that restricted trade to some industries.
“We have a tonne of empathy for those businesses that are doing it tough. There are lots of family businesses just like ours, that through no fault of their own are severely impacted by this pandemic. We are, purely by circumstance, considered an essential service and if in some small way we can make a difference to them by providing those essential transport services then it is both our duty and our pleasure to be able to help.”
Pioneer Resources have been buoyed by their latest drilling results announced to the ASX on Thursday 9 April.
The drilling programme at Leo Dam, ~25 kilometres south of Kalgoorlie, consisted of six reverse circulation holes totalling 1,771m with an average depth of 295m, the deepest hole reaching 403m.
In the release, Managing Director, Tim Spencer said, “We are very encouraged by the results from the recent drilling and DHEM survey at Leo Dam. The fact that nickel sulphides were encountered in all six holes, including some broad strongly anomalous zones, is a significant development. The results confirm that Leo Dam sits in a prospective channel for nickel sulphides – and there appears to be a strong EM conductor, which can indicate massive sulphides, below the depth of this drilling programme.”
Further work is planned within the next three to six months. However the impact of Covid-19 could be a factor before further drilling takes place, including the extension of one of current drill holes.
Leo Dam, part of the Blair nickel sulphide deposit is classed as “Kambalda style”, with nickel sulphides accumulating at the “Basal Contact”. It lies within a belt where some of Australia’s most productive gold and nickel mines have generated millions for the local economy.
As the Western Australia mining sector continues to operate amid the Covid19 pandemic, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia has been instrumental in providing support to three Western Australian organisations at a time of crisis.
Over $6 million has been distributed to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations (RFDS WO), Foodbank WA and Lifeline WA. These three organisations provide massive support to WA as well being a service that assists in times of need.
According to Paul Everingham, CMEWA CEO, “During the coronavirus pandemic, the WA resources sector’s highest priority is the health and safety of its people, their families and communities,” Mr Everingham said.“The sector is extremely grateful for being allowed to continue to operate in this environment and does not take the responsibility lightly.
“The resources sector has come together in solidarity at a time when the West Australian community is being asked to do the same thing.
“Our member companies are keen to collectively do something to further support our resources sector workforce, as well as the broader WA community, who are becoming increasingly challenged by current events.
“So far, Albemarle Lithium, AngloGold Ashanti Australia, BHP, Chevron Australia, CITIC Pacific Mining, Fortescue Metals Group, Gold Fields, Gold Road Resources, Mount Gibson Iron, Newcrest Mining, Ramelius Resources, Regis Resources, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Saracen Minerals, South32, Talison Lithium, Transalta Australia and Woodside Energy have contributed to the initiative, with further companies finalising their investment over the coming days and weeks.
“We are all in this together and we will stand with the WA community to overcome this challenge.”
Other initiatives by the mining community of WA already announced include:
“The generosity of our member companies during this crisis has been overwhelming and is reflective of the top priority they place on protecting the health and safety of all of their employees and Western Australian communities,” Mr Everingham said.
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Reg Howard-Smith has today been announced as Chairperson of the Building and Construction Industry Training Board.
The position which was appointed by the McGowan Government, coincides with the introduction of new legislative changes relating to the Building and Construction Industry Training fund to further support construction training in WA.
Mr Howard-Smith has had previous experience dealing with high level government as well as being an industry spokesperson. These skills will be used in the ongoing management of the resources industry’s contributions to the fund, following on from the removal of its exemption to the levy in 2018.
The Minister for Education and Training – Hon Sue Ellery said “Reg Howard-Smith has the right mix of knowledge and skills to effectively lead the Building and Construction Industry Training Board in a time of significant change.”
“He will provide a strong, independent voice backed by leadership experience and a deep knowledge of the construction and training sectors.
“Importantly, I have asked him to work closely with all stakeholders – existing and new – to ensure all points of view are explored.
The Minister also thanked the previous Chairperson – Ian Hill, “I would also like to acknowledge and thank Ian Hill who was the former Board chair and who made such an important contribution to helping the building and construction industry meet its demands for skilled workers.”
Mr Howards Smith commenced in this role March 9.
Industry giant, Rio Tinto has announced it will move towards having shorter payment terms for Australian supplies in a bonus for small to mid sized businesses. This will see businesses with less than $10 million in turnover paid by Rio within 20 days from the invoice date.
The announcement this morning has big benefits for the mining and supply industry statewide. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia’s (CME) Chief Executive Paul Everingham said the resources sector had extensive procurement processes and initiatives to ensure small local businesses benefited from the multi-billion dollar projects of some of the State’s largest mining and oil and gas companies.
“The resources sector is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to local jobs, training and procurement to meet the current and future demands of industry,” he said.
“If there is discretion to deviate from standard payment terms, some members also offer lower payment terms to small, local and Indigenous businesses on a case-by-case basis. Rio Tinto is doing just that with its new policy, which will ensure 90 per cent of its Australian business suppliers are paid within 20 days.”
With assistance CME WA
The Raleigh underground mine – part of the East Kundana Joint Venture (EKJV) between Northern Star Resources and Rand and Tribune, will be placed on care and maintenance as of April 2020.
Its believed the firing of stoping panels in January 2020 caused a significant seismic response around the 6000 – 5049 levels. This event has resulted in substantial damage and is cause for significant rehabilitation to occur. The report to the Australian Stock Exchange today also advised there were no personnel underground at the time of the stope firing.
Management of the EKJV recommended the mine take on care and maintenance in April 2020 to have time to conduct a detailed assessment before looking at the potential to recommence operations. The southern mining area has been deemed unsafe and is now excluded from all underground activity. By placing the mine into care and maintenance this will allow an independent mining consultant to be engaged to complete a review into the seismic event and mining plan.
Mining at the other deposits within the EKJV is not affected. Raleigh Gold Mine is located 22 kilometers north west of Kalgoorlie Boulder and is part of the Kundana mining region.
Worthy Parts and Industry Link Media announce the launch of new web platforms leading into the 2019/20 financial year, as both companies work towards servicing the mining industry in their respective sectors.
Worthy Parts was founded in 2014, by Michael Worthington and wife Jaymi, after the mechanical workshop supervisor developed a business model aimed at minimising waste and catering to the growing demand of sourcing hard to find parts and machinery in the mining industry.
Michael’s business concept has focused on providing the mining industry with a website that would create opportunity for businesses to sell outdated stock, and source hard to find parts, as well as provide an opportunity for businesses to advertise their services.
During the growth of the Worthy Parts platform, Michael recognised the company’s requirement for more qualified staff members and has since grown the Worthy Parts team to include 9 trade qualified sales team members to aid with the industries growing needs.
Five years into the company’s growth, Michael and wife Jaymi released the much-anticipated redeveloped national services directory, with the aim to provide advertising opportunities to service providers working on ground level of the industry.
The cost-effective platform grew from January of 2019 and provided enough evidence to demonstrate the industry’s need for further developed media platforms aimed at the service sector.
Industry Link Media bridges the location gap between service providers across Australia, whilst still focusing on the promotional opportunities first boasted in the concept of the original business model.
The 12-month growth of the Industry Link Media platform saw the development and implementation of the inaugural WPIL Auction & Expo in 2018.
It was at the success of the first series of networking events that Michael and Jaymi made the decision to split the two companies, in order to continue servicing clients at a high capacity in the different aspects of the sector.
The media outlet aims to provide advertising opportunities at cost effective prices, for the services sector of the mining industry via a directory, news outlet and social media strategies specialised at providing resourceful information to the industry.
The launch of the new platforms formalises the division of the two companies comes at the announcement of the groups relocation from its Broadwood street workshop in Kalgoorlie, to a larger premises that will cater to its workshop requirements, freight and transport requirements and provide the Industry Link Media an office location to work with clients.
With the Worthy Parts brand expanding rapidly past the borders of Australia, catering to the international market, and the announcement of the second WPIL Auction & Expo, Michael recognised the needs for both companies to have their own identity.
“The two brands have successfully worked hand in hand as the growth
of Industry Link Media over the past 12 months was backed by the
already established Worthy Parts brand”.
“What we recognised is that the Industry Link Media outlet could provide clients around Australia with an opportunity to have their business put on display in a physical and digital arena”.
The Worthy Parts brand works to source hard to sell and source parts or machinery across mining sectors globally and requires its own identity to do just that.
The division will become official as of July 1st, with the relocation of the companies into a bigger premise whereby they’ll be able to service both sets of clients and their requirements.
Worthy Parts has continued with a fast growth with the introduction of teams and offices in the east coast and in Perth.
Both companies are now recognised in their respective sectors within the mining industries and the formal announcement will be made at the 2019 WPIL Auction & Expo.
To find out more information about the separation of Worthy Parts and Industry Link Media, please visit www.industrylinkmedia.com
Are you looking to reduce the cost of your next repair or rebuild on your CAT Bogger or Underground Truck without compromising on quality or service life? DCT Parts have the solution.
DCT has been a family run business since its establishment in 1963, employing a team of 50 staff members across the country.
The DCT parts division has been in existence since 1984, consisting of a multimillion-dollar computer-controlled inventory that exceeds 40,000 line items and warehousing facilities that span across New South Wales in Castlereagh, Dubbo, Orange and now Western Australia with a branch in Kalgoorlie.
