Publications
Discovery 19: 23 September 2011
23/09/11
Welcome to the latest edition of Discovery, providing a fortnightly update on CME’s activities and events.
Articles in this edition:
Minerals Resources Rent Tax
Carbon Tax
Mining Industry Committee Meeting
Submission on the DEC Guidelines for Conservation Management Plans
South West Water Usage
Reduce and Renew Seminar
Mining Securities Working Group Meeting
Skills West Expo Competition Winner
WA State Training Awards
Australia-India Roundtable
Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School
Paramedics Australasia’s Response Journal
New Member
Upcoming Events
MINERALS RESOURCES RENT TAX
The second tranche of Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) exposure draft legislation was released for public consultation on 17 September 2011 with submissions due by 5 October 2011. As with the initial tranche of legislation, CME will prepare a submission to canvass issues specific to Western Australia, and work with the Minerals Council of Australia to prepare a joint industry submission to cover all other matters.
The MRRT bill is now expected to be introduced into Parliament in December 2011 but timing may be affected by progress of the carbon tax legislation.
Contact: James Edwards
CARBON TAX
Following the receipt of public submissions on the carbon tax exposure draft legislation, the Federal Government introduced the relevant bills into the lower house of Parliament on 13 September with a vote targeted for 12 October. The package will then progress to the Senate.
CME is currently undertaking a review of the introduced bills against the exposure draft legislation and CME’s submission to identify, review and understand any relevant developments.
Contact: James Edwards
MINING INDUSTRY LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING
CME attended the Department of Mines and Petroleum Mining Industry Liaison Committee meeting on 14 September. CME discussed the submission that was made with the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, which requested Ministerial discretion for the exemption of compulsory partial surrender requirements be included in the Mining Act. CME proposed closed criteria be used by the Minister to consider exemptions. The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and the Minister do not support the proposal and feel considerable compromises have already been made. CME will continue to work with members on this issue.
DMP will examine the process to introduce a fee for the lodgement of objections against mining tenement applications and will continue to review Aboriginal heritage buffer zones.
Contact: Andrew Winter
SUBMISSION ON THE DEC GUIDELINES FOR CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANS
CME developed a submission on the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) guidelines for Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) relating to mineral exploration on lands managed by DEC. CME is concerned the lack of consultation in the development of the guidelines has resulted in uncertainity regarding the CMP requirements.
CME will seek a briefing from DEC and DMP on the guidelines to address members concerns.
Contact: Andrew Winter
SOUTH WEST WATER USAGE
CME hosted a meeting to discuss South West water issues on 20 September in Bunbury. Consultants conducting research on the National Water Commission’s Integrating the Mining Sector into Water Planning and Entitlements Regimes Project attended the meeting to learn more about water allocation, supply and licensing within South West operations. The meeting was attended by the Department of Water, Harvey Water and CME member company representatives.
Contact: Erin van Noort
REDUCE AND RENEW SEMINAR
On 23 September 2011 CME hosted the Reduce and Renew Seminar, focusing on initiatives the resource sector is undertaking to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate. The seminar was attended by a broad audience including representatives of government, industry, universities and non-government organisations.
Speakers addressed a range of topics including carbon capture and storage, partnership opportunities for research into carbon emissions abatement and sustainable living. The seminar wrapped up with a panel discussion around the opportunities and challenges of introducing renewable energy into electricity networks.
Contact: Amanda Joseph
MINING SECURITIES WORKING GROUP MEETING
The Department of Mines and Petroleum’s second workshop session on the operation of the proposed fidelity fund will be held on 29 September and the unconditional performance bond workshop will be held on 6 October at DMP.
The CME Mining Securities Working Group (MSWG) will be meeting on 28 September to discuss the key issues to be addressed at both of these workshops.
Contact: Kane Moyle
SKILLS WEST EXPO COMPETITION WINNER
As part of CME’s involvement with the Skills West Expo, attendees were given the opportunity to win an Apple iPad 2. On behalf of APPEA and the RITC, CME had the honour of presenting the prize to a very excited 13 year old school student, James Bylund, from Collie.
Attendees entered the competition by joining the People for the Future mailing list and will be notified of updates to CME’s career information website www.peopleforthefuture.com.au.
Contact: Sarah Newbold
WA STATE TRAINING AWARDS
CME again participated in the WA Training Awards held on Friday 16 September 2011. Now in its seventeenth year, it is Western Australia’s largest and most prestigious training awards program, acknowledging individuals and organisations for their contributions to skilling and workforce development in Western Australia.
CME sponsored the WA Training Initiative Award, which was won by the Central Institute of Technology’s Solid Futures Program. The Solid Futures program is a joint venture between the Central Institute of Technology and the David Wirrpanda Foundation, supporting indigenous people through training and employment.
CME congratulates Central Institute of Technology and other finalists including BHP-Billiton’s Pingku program, Fortescue Metals Group’s VTEC program and the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science.
Contact: Bruce Campbell-Fraser
AUSTRALIA-INDIA ROUNDTABLE
Reg Howard-Smith recently participated as a Moderator at the 2011 Australia-India Roundtable in Sydney. The aim was to generate fresh thinking about relations between Australia and India, to share strategic perspectives, and to identify opportunities for cooperation.
The event was convened by the Lowy Institute for International Policy in partnership with the Public Diplomacy Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and with support from the Australia-India Council, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Contact: Renae Soutar
INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERING SUMMER SCHOOL
Applications for the third Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School to be held at Curtin University from 8 -14 January 2012, are now open. The Summer School aims to provide Indigenous secondary students who are entering Years 11 and 12 in 2012 with an opportunity to gain an insight and some experience into a career in engineering.
Successful applicants will attend the week long program at no cost. This includes flights, meals and accommodation. For further information please email iaess@curtin.edu.au or visit the following websites:
www.engineeringaid.org or www.engineering.curtin.edu.au/outreach
Contact: Sarah Newbold
PARAMEDICS AUSTRALASIA’S RESPONSE JOURNAL
CME has sponsored the Response Journal, which is distributed to all Paramedics Australasia members, university libraries, hospitals and ambulance stations. This sponsorship included a small advertisement in the Journal, which CME used to reinforce the industry’s focus on safety in all operations and to highlight the initiatives such as the Emergency Response Challenges and Safety and Health conference.
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby
NEW MEMBER
CME is pleased to welcome the following new member:
Regis Resources
Regis is a standout mid tier Australian gold producer with total resources of 5.8 million ounces and reserves of 2.4 million ounces located in the Laverton region of Western Australia. Annual production is currently 100koz’s rising to 280-300koz’s in mid 2012 with the completion of the Garden Well Gold Project.
Website: http://www.regisresources.com.au
Contact: Mr Mark Clark, Managing Director
Phone: 08 9442 2200
Email: enquiries@regisresources.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Member Sundowner – 13 October
The next event in this series will feature a presentation from Richard Muirhead, WA State Director, CHOGM 2011, Department of Premier and Cabinet, discussing the CHOGM program and supporting events.
Members are welcome to attend, invitations will be distributed soon.
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.
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
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby