This is what I term ... the graveyard end of any Conference.
It's almost over. Those of you remaining are either all talked out or past the
information overload stage.
And some of the sensible? ones have left for more exciting
field trips, or gone back to their work-site where they earn their daily crust,
or headed off South to another Conference of interest to the Energy sector that
is being held currently in Christchurch.
But that's OK. I have a thick skin! And neither am I
particularly Politically Correct!
I am not a miner: I am not involved in the mining industry
in a hands on way at all. I am not even an academic. I am not even too sure why
I am here ... apart from the fact that I agreed to come!
At various times in
my life I have been a D istrict Councillor, Chairman of a
Regional Council and even an MP. I am a supporter of responsible mining.
All of what I have to say is my own point of
view rather than that of either the Coal Producers' Federation or the mining
industry. That is not to say that we are often in agreement, but I thought I
would clear that point right at the outset. And some of what I will talk about
will not strictly be to the topic - it's hardly mind-bending riveting stuff.
Well, is it? But obviously because you are still here you have some interest in
the topic.