Publications
Discovery 17: 26 August 2011
26/08/11
Welcome to the latest edition of Discovery, providing a fortnightly update on CME’s activities and events.
Articles in this edition:
Carbon Pricing Submissions
Local Government Ratings – Draft Policy Guidelines
Kimberley Regional Council
Mining Securities Working Group Meeting
CME Upcoming Seminar
CME 2012 Awards Launch
South West Emergency Response Skills Challenge
Skills West Expo
CME Breakfast with Climate Commission
CME Member Sundowner
Mexico Ministry for Economy
New CME Members
Upcoming Events
CARBON PRICING SUBMISSIONS
CME lodged a submission with the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency on 22 August 2011, in response to the Federal Government’s call for comment on its recently released Clean Energy Future program and associated draft legislation. Further, CME contributed to and endorsed the Minerals Council of Australia’s joint industry submission on the same matter.
While CME supports action against human induced climate change, it opposes the introduction of the Federal Governments carbon pricing mechanism on a number of grounds including the ineffective assistance afforded trade exposed industries, the taxing of off-road fuel and the range of non-complimentary measures that still remain in place.
Contact: James Edwards
LOCAL GOVERNMENT RATINGS – DRAFT POLICY GUIDELINES
CME and AMEC have been working with the State Government and the Western Australian Local Government Association to resolve the long standing issues of gross rental valuations applying to resource projects for local government ratings purposes. Draft policy guidelines, outlining a potential resolution to the matter, have been circulated to the CME Local Government Working Group and the wider CME membership for comment.
Under the draft policy guidelines, gross rental valuations would only apply to resource accommodation, administration and recreational infrastructure as well as certain maintenance workshops, while all other land would be assessed on an unimproved valuation basis. Feedback on the proposed guidelines can be provided to James Edwards, Executive Officer Economics and Tax by 14 September 2011.
Contact: James Edwards
KIMBERLEY REGIONAL COUNCIL
The Kimberley Regional Council met on 19 August in Kununurra with the West Kimberley Heritage Listing being one of the key topics discussed.
As a decision is due from the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on or before 30 August, CME travelled to Canberra this week to meet with the Minister and other key Federal Members of Parliament.
CME is voicing the concern that it is not acceptable to base such a wide ranging decision on a subjective Australian Heritage Council report alone, so the Minister must defer any decision to allow for a full socioeconomic assessment to be completed before any listing is made official. In addition to the Canberra visit, CME will be sending the Minister further comments and submissions on behalf of its members.
Contact: Brent Fleeton
MINING SECURITIES WORKING GROUP MEETING
The CME Mining Securities Working Group (MSWG) will be meeting on 29 August to discuss the concerns raised by the fidelity fund model currently being proposed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) as well as the bond system and abandoned mines issues. MSWG will be raising these issues with DMP on 30 August.
The next Mining Securities Industry Liaison Committee meeting is scheduled for 1 September 2011.
Contact: Amanda Joseph
CME UPCOMING SEMINAR
CME will be hosting Reduce and Renew, a seminar to showcase the efforts industry has made, and is continuing to make to reduce its carbon footprint and incorporate renewable energy into the daily operations as part of a best practice and good business initiative.
Industry members and stakeholders are encouraged to join us to learn more about the way the resource sector operates, and what initiatives are being undertaken to reduce the impact on the surrounding environment.
Visit CME’s website for full details: www.cmewa.com.au/News,_Events_and_Media/Events
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby
CME 2012 AWARDS LAUNCH
On 20 September 2011, we will celebrate the opening of CME’s 2012 Awards.
2012 CME Safety and Health Innovation Awards and
2012 CME Women in Resources Awards
Entry will be open to all Western Australian resource companies including contractors associated with the minerals and energy industry. CME encourages all industry members to consider submitting an application for these awards. Full details of the categories and criteria will be provided at the launch.
Prior to the launch, we will be holding an optional workshop for those wishing to build their writing skills and put their best foot forward when applying for these awards.
Visit CME’s website for full details: www.cmewa.com.au/News,_Events_and_Media/Events
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby
SOUTH WEST EMERGENCY RESPONSE SKILLS CHALLENGE
The CME 2011 South West Emergency Response Skills Challenge is on again, for the third year at Talison Lithium, Greenbushes, 17 - 18 September. Eight teams from the South West and Kwinana region will hone their skills in road crash rescue, first aid, confined space rescue, fire fighting, team skills, rope rescue, hazardous materials and theory.
Well supported by sponsors and committed event managers, the Challenge coincides with the Greenbushes Talison Open Day. The general public are invited to observe the teams in action and appreciate that this exercise is a significant contributor to a safer working environment and community.
Contact: Judy Gillespie
SKILLS WEST EXPO
CME partnered with the Resources Industry Training Council (RITC) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) to hold an information booth at the Skills West Expo. The Expo was held from 19 to 21 August, at the Perth Convention Centre and promoted career, employment, education and training opportunities in skill-shortage industries across Western Australia.
Staff of the host companies were on hand to provide information and advice on obtaining employment in the resources sector, and to promote the website www.peopleforthefuture.com.au as a source of career and training information. Since the Expo, there has been a significant increase in website traffic.
Many attendees expressed their frustration at the difficulty they were experiencing in obtaining employment in the resources sector. There appears to be some misconceptions in the wider community regarding the qualifications, skills and experience that is required to gain employment in the sector.
It is estimated that approximately 22,000 people attended the Expo over the weekend.
Contact: Sarah Newbold
CME BREAKFAST WITH CLIMATE COMMISSION
The recent breakfast with Professor Tim Flannery and fellow Climate Commission members provided an opportunity to hear an overview of not only the science behind climate change, but also what impact this has, and will continue to have on Western Australia.
CME thanks the members of the Climate Commission for their presentation, and all attendees for being part of the event.
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby
CME MEMBER SUNDOWNER
CME welcomed members on 24 August for sundowner with a presentation by Bruce Steenson, Vice President of Shell’s Prelude. Bruce took the time to answer questions about the Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project, potentially the world's first FLNG development.
Guests enjoyed tastings of Matso’s beer and freshly shucked oysters, a welcomed opportunity to catch up with fellow industry members.
The next event in this series is scheduled for October. Further details will be provided closer to the date.
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby
MEXICO MINISTRY FOR ECONOMY
The Mexico Ministry for Economy recently visited Perth. The delegation was here to discuss mining investment and trade opportunities between Mexico and Western Australia, amongst meetings with industry representatives, they delegation visited CME’s office to meet with Reg Howard-Smith and Damian Callachor.
Mexico is the world’s largest producer of silver and bismuth. It is the world’s fifth largest lead, sixth largest zinc and tenth largest copper producer. Mexico has a long history of mining and has an attractive regulatory regime and business environment for foreign investment and participation in the sector. There is potentially a market for exporting mining technologies to Mexico.
Contact: Damian Callachor
NEW CME MEMBERS
CME is pleased to welcome the following new members:
Thinc Projects
Thinc Projects provides independent advice, project facilitation and project delivery services on major property projects and complex capital works, including those in the mining and energy sector. Thinc has an outstanding track record in Australasia, successfully advising on, facilitating and delivering major projects in our region.
Website: http://www.thincprojects.com
Contact: Mr Rowland Richardson, Regional Manager
Phone: 08 9429 6700
Pilbara Access
Pilbara Access offer their clients a diverse range of Scaffolding, Rigging, Rope Access and Advanced Access Solutions to deliver optimal efficiency and outcomes for each project. Our dedicated management team and technical department works closely with clients to fully understand the unique needs and goals, and deliver tailored cost effective solutions to meet their requirements. Pilbara Access is DNV accredited with Safety Management System OHSAS (18001) & Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and is committed to “Safety At All Levels”.
Website: http://www.pilbaraaccess.com.au
Contact: Mr Jim Robinson, General Manager
Phone: 08 6216 5000
UPCOMING EVENTS
CME 2012 Awards Launch – 20 September
On 20 September 2011, we will celebrate the opening of CME’s 2012 Awards – the Safety and Health Innovation Awards and the Women in Resources Awards
Registration is now open, visit the CME website for details
Reduce and Renew – 23 September
The resource industry’s proactive response to a changing climate.
An industry seminar to showcase the efforts industry has made, and is continuing to make to reduce its carbon footprint and incorporate renewable energy into the daily operations as part of a best practice and good business initiative.
Registration is now open, visit the CME website for details
North West Sundowner – 19 October
CME, in conjunction with the Pilbara Development Commission, will be hosting an industry sundowner in Karratha. Members and stakeholders are welcome to attend.
Invitations will be distributed in early September.
CME Christmas Cocktails – 6 December
Please hold the date, invitations will be distributed in late October.
Please visit the CME Events page for full details on these activities, and a listing of other industry events. http://cmewa.com.au/News,_Events_and_Media/Events
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Golden Gecko Awards Presentation Night - Thursday 8 September
Celebrate twenty years of environmental excellence by the WA resources industry. Registration is essential, please contact golden.gecko@dmp.wa.gov.au
Visit the website for more information: www.dmp.wa.gov.au/goldengecko
CEDA Resources Overview – 18 October
CME is pleased to again sponsor the Resources Overview.
Please hold the date. Full details will be distributed in coming weeks.
CRC CARE Minerals Industry Summit - 11-15 September
CRC CARE is hosting their fourth International Contaminated Site Remediation Conference for the minerals industry in South Australia from. The purpose of the summit is to identify and prioritise commonly occurring contamination, remediation and rehabilitation problems facing the minerals industry, across the ‘water’ and ‘land’ themes.
CRC CARE is also looking for industry representatives to speak at the conference. If you are interested please contact Ravi Naidu directly at ravi.naidu@crccare.com.
For more information, please visit the website: http://www.cleanupconference.com/remediation.html.
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby