Read the 6th Edition of the Hunter Region Branch Newsletter.
Welcome from the Chair
In early February, the Brady Review into Mining and Quarrying fatalities in Queensland was released. A statement within it reads “The 6 fatalities that occurred between July 2018 and July 2019 have been described by some in the industry as evidence of an industry in crisis, but a bleaker assessment is that this is an industry resetting itself to its normal fatality rate.” This assessment must be taken seriously and demands action at all levels.
It is fitting then that the first event of 2020 is the AusIMM Health and Safety Society Distinguished Lecture series, to be held at The Charbonnier on Wednesday 26th of February. Michael Quinlan will be speaking on the topic of “10 Pathways to Death and Disaster”.
A key question posed by Michael is “Are the underlying causes of disasters substantially different from those that result in one or two fatalities?”
I urge you to attend and participate in this important discussion.
Speaking of participating, nominations are now open for committee members on the AusIMM Hunter Region Branch Committee for the period 2020 – 2021.
Available positions include Chair, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and general committee members.
Participating in the Committee is a rewarding experience and a great way to get involved with the AusIMM, help promote mining and meet new professionals.
We have a number of events coming up this year – including the second Coal Quality and Sampling Seminar in April. The programme for the day is close to finalisation and has a wide range of pit to customer papers. Registrations will be opening soon, so keep an eye on the Branch webpage.
Finally, this will be my last newsletter as Chair of the Branch as I am leaving the Hunter Region at the end of March. It has been a joy to meet so many of you, and an absolute privilege to be your Branch Chair.
The last 2 and a bit years have been incredibly rewarding, professionally stimulating and has extended my knowledge of our industry well beyond the scope of my “day job” and I would encourage anybody who is thinking of getting involved with the AusIMM to just do it. It’s a fantastic way to give back to the industry and its people. My deep gratitude to the Branch Committee – a figurehead is nothing without horsepower behind them – and I know they will keep the wheels turning and the Branch moving forward.
My very best wishes for the future,
Nicole Brook, Chair AusIMM Hunter Region Branch
On behalf of the committee and all Branch members, a big thank you to Nicole for the excellent effort she has put in as Chair of the Branch. -Ed.
Upcoming Events – Hunter Region 2020
Various events are coming up or in the planning stage, including:
Wednesday 26th February– Singleton – Guest Speaker: Michael Quinlan
The AusIMM Health & Safety Society Distinguished Lecture Series
Thursday 5th March –Gunnedah – International Women’s Day Guest Speaker – North West Function
March – Tech talk – Ravensworth Homestead, A Monster Move – Singleton
March – Mt Pleasant Coal Mine – Field Trip
April – STEM Careers Expo – Newcastle University
Wednesday 29th April – Coal Quality & Sampling Seminar – Singleton
May – Vickery Coal Mine – Field Trip
June – Coal Services Virtual Reality Mine – Field Trip
July – Christmas in July – Hunter Vineyards
Thursday 6th August – Jameson Distinguished Lecture: Dr Megan Clark – Head of the Australian Space Agency – Newcastle
August – Tech Talk – Armidale
September – Honours Student Competition – Newcastle
Thursday 22nd October – President’s Dinner – Newcastle
November – Ulan Coal Mine – Field Trip – Mudgee
New Members
Congratulations and welcome to the following new members to Hunter Region Branch. We hope to see you at our upcoming events.
Walter Rowlands – Associate
Hugh Jennings – Member
Lillian Boerst – Student
Elora Croaker – Student
Colin Langdon – Member (Reinstatement)
The AusIMM Health & Safety Society Distinguished Lecture Series – Singleton
Register now to join the AusIMM Health & Safety Society and the Hunter Region Branch to hear from distinguished speaker Michael Quinlan on the topic of “10 Pathways to Death and Disaster.”
Date: Wednesday 26th February 2020, 5:30pm
Venue: Charbonnier Motor Inn, 44 Maitland Road, Singleton NSW 2330
Cost: Free to attend
Registrations are essential. This event is worth 1 PD hour.
About the Speaker:
Michael Quinlan PhD is an emeritus professor in the School of Management at UNSW where he taught occupational health and safety (OHS) and risk management.
He is also an honorary professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney and an adjunct professor in the Business School at Middlesex University, London.
About the Topic:
Why do mine disasters continue to occur in wealthy countries when major mine hazards have been known for over 200 years and subject to regulation for well over a century?
What lessons can be drawn from these disasters and are mine operators, regulators and others drawing the correct conclusions from such events?
Why is mining significantly safer in some countries than in others?
Are the underlying causes of disasters substantially different from those that result in one or two fatalities?
This book seeks to answer these questions by systematically analysing mine disasters and fatal incidents in five countries (Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the USA) since 1992. It finds that there are 10 pattern causes which repeatedly recur in these incidents, namely:
- engineering, design and maintenance flaws,
- failure to heed warning signs,
- flaws in risk assessment,
- flaws in management systems,
- flaws in system auditing,
- economic/reward pressures compromising safety,
- failures in regulatory oversight,
- worker/supervisor concerns that were ignored,
- poor worker/management communication and trust, and
- flaws in emergency and rescue procedures.
The vast majority of incidents entailed at least three of these pattern causes and many exhibited five or more. The book also demonstrates these pattern deficiencies are not confined to mining but can be identified in other workplace disasters including aircraft crashes, oil-rig explosions, refinery and factory fires, and shipping disasters. At the same time, the examination finds no evidence to support other popular explanations of mine safety.
WIMnet NSW – International Women’s Day Guest Speaker – North West Function
AusIMM Women in Mining Network NSW would like to invite you to join us for our International Women’s Day event in the North West Region.
Date: Thursday 5 March 2020, 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Mackellar Motel, Conadilly Room, 342 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah, NSW
Includes: Light finger food and a drink on arrival
Cost: $20 – members and non-members
Registrations are essentials and close on Sunday 1st March.
We welcome all those within the Gunnedah, Narrabri, Boggabri, Tamworth and Werris Creek areas to join us for a casual meet and greet over nibbles and drinks.
Deb Maes will give an insightful talk about communication and confidence in the work place.
There will be lucky door prizes drawn at approximately 7:30pm.
AusIMM Women in Mining Network NSW represents the interest of women working in the New South Wales minerals industry.
Membership is open to all (including non-AusIMM members), regardless of gender.
It is a great opportunity for you to enhance your skills, build your career and help the transfer of knowledge and innovation between professions through facilitating networking and professional development opportunities.
We look forward to welcoming you and please feel free to bring a friend or colleague!
No membership is required.
WIMnet NSW – Mentoring Program 2020
Are you looking for career guidance and direction?
Would you like to develop goals with someone who has been where you are now?
Are you interested in forging an exceptional, lasting relationship with a mentor?
WIMnet NSW Mentoring Program follows a structured, sustainable mentoring process that provides support through career guidance and direction.
Mentees will be matched with industry leaders, based on comprehensive framework conducted by a registered Psychologist, giving mentees access to a mentor that is fully invested in their career development.
Key dates:
Friday 29 May 2020: Mandatory training and networking launch event in Sydney
Tuesday 4 August 2020: Mid-program event
Friday 23 October 2020: Close-out event
Applications are now open and close on Friday 28 February.
The AusIMM Women In Mining Network of NSW is excited to announce that 4 FREE scholarships are currently available for the 2020 WIMnet NSW Mentoring Program.
30 mentee positions available.
Cost is $1,000 (+GST) per person.
Mentees working in the resources sector in NSW are encouraged to apply.
Expressions of interest are still open for influential males and females from the industry to participate as mentors.
For more information contact Ali Burston, ali.burston@metisphere.com.au
For a full information webinar, please click here.
Hunter Region Branch – Call for Committee Nominations
Nominations are now open for committee members on the AusIMM Hunter Region Branch Committee for a period of 2 years, 2020 – 2021.
The Committee is seeking a diverse range of individuals and representation covering a variety of work environments, commodities and locations within the broader Hunter Region.
Nominations are now open for the following positions:
Chair, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Committee Members
Participating in the Committee is a rewarding experience and a great way to get involved with the AusIMM, help promote mining and meet new professionals.
Candidates for nomination must be financial members of the AusIMM, be available to attend 1 hour monthly meetings via teleconference and be prepared to actively participate in Hunter Region Branch activities.
With members from Tweed Heads in the north, out to Binnaway in the west, and down to Gosford in the South, the Hunter Region Branch extends well beyond Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
The Branch focuses on delivering relevant and engaging events to service our membership.
In 2019 we delivered a number of events including field trips to local and remote operations, seminars and technical talks and networking events.
The Branch has a history of delivering well attended seminars, including the Mine Rehabilitation Seminar (2017), the inaugural Coal Sampling Seminar (2018) and more recently the second in our series of JORC seminars (2019).
To find out more about the Hunter Region Branch activities and initiatives visit the Hunter Region Branch webpage.
If you are interested in joining the Committee, please complete the Nomination Form.
An election will be held should the number of nominations received exceed positions available.
Nominations close on Wednesday 11th March. If you have any queries, please contact the Branch.
