PROPOSED CHANGES TO FEDERAL MINING OHS&W REGULATIONS DEFERRED

Proposed changes to federal mining occupational health safety and welfare (OHS&W) regulations to be implemented on the first of January 2012 have been deferred for twelve months, while lawmakers, Safe Work Australia and Safe Work SA to consider the implications/changes to any OHS&W regulations that affect miners.

$65,000 BACK-PAY FOR COOBER PEDY WORKERS

Eleven workers at Coober Pedy in South Australia have been back-paid a total of $65,900 following intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The workers – who all worked at the same business – were underpaid the minimum hourly rate.

IMX RESOURCES DISPUTE WITH JV PARTNER

On 14 November 2011, IMX Resources Limited  called on its joint venture partner, Taifeng Yuanchuang International Development Co., Ltd  to pay by 28 November 2011 its 49% share (A$4,121,601) of Cairn Hill expenditure under the Heads of Agreement  between IMX and Taifeng dated 29 December 2009.

“WOMEN AND EMPLOYED PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO VOLUNTEER” SAY STATISTICS

More than one-third of Australians did voluntary work last year, with more women volunteering than men, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In 2010, 36% of Australians aged 18 years and over participated in voluntary work – 38% of women and 34% of men.

COOBER PEDY AND DISTRICTS FACING WORST FIRE DANGER SEASON IN SEVERAL DECADES

Coober Pedy Firefighters face high winds as they battle a blaze on Bulgunnia Station in the Far North of the state. Photo: Peter Ikonomopoulos

COOBER PEDY: All available CFS firefighters (6) left Coober Pedy with two fire trucks at 4pm on Tuesday 29 November to fight fires on Bulgunnia Pastoral property and another burning at McDouall Peak Station, 140 – 150km South of Coober Pedy, amidst a total fireban and SEVERE + EXTREME  fire danger rating throughout the Region 4 districts.

The small crew of six CFS volunteers became four, when two members returned to Coober Pedy for urgent work commitments.  The 4 remaining volunteers worked for 26 consecutive hours attempting to contain the Bulgunnia fire against winds up to 59km/ph and gusts up to 79kmph. The Prominent Hill Emergency Response Team joined in at 6pm and worked through the night fighting the McDuall Peak fire.

EARLY START TO FIRE DANGER SEASON FOR PASTORAL DISTRICTS

Grass fire burns out of control at Indulkana in August 2011

The Country Fire Service (CFS) has announced an early start to the 2011/12 Fire Danger Season for the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral Fire Ban Districts.

The season which was scheduled to start on November 1 in both of these districts, will now commence two weeks earlier on Sunday October 15.

REGIONAL FLY-IN, FLY-OUT INQUIRY LAUNCHED

Mayor Steve Baines "the state government needs to provide a certain level of infrastructure"

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia has today launched an inquiry into the experience of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) workers in regional Australia.

“The Committee recognises that the use of fly-in/fly-out and drive-in/drive-out workforces in the mining sector raises a number of significant challenges and opportunities for individuals and their families, communities and employers,” Committee Chair Tony Windsor said today, “we are interested in exploring all of those issue and hope to also hear from mining companies who are utilising FIFO/DIDO for their employees.”

REMOTE ELECTRICITY SUBSIDIES: RAMSEY GETS SUPPORT OF PARLIAMENT

Rowan Ramsey MP - Federal Member for Grey in South Australia

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey says the fact that his private members motion on the Remote Areas Subsidy for electricity has passed the Parliament unopposed, shows even the South Australian Federal Labor Members now stand in condemnation of the actions of the South Australian Government in removing the subsidy on electricity in remote communities.

After first raising this issue in the Federal Parliament on May 23 this year, Mr Ramsey said now is time for the State Government to rethink its withdrawal of support for essential services and restore the subsidy.

IMX: RESIGNATION OF MANAGING DIRECTOR

Duncan McBain resigns as Managing Director of IMX

Iron ore producer and explorer, IMX Resources Limited wishes to advise that the Managing Director, Mr. Duncan McBain, has tendered his resignation to the Board.

Chairman, Mr. Johann Jacobs, said that “it is with regret that we accept Duncan’s resignation. Duncan has lead IMX for the past 4 and a half years, taking the Company from a multi commodity explorer to a more focussed company which is now an iron ore producer and steel making raw material and copper explorer. The Board wishes to sincerely thank Duncan for his untiring commitment to the Company.”

ONE SET OF REGULATIONS FOR ALL AUSTRALIAN MINING?

Draft model Codes of Practice open for public comment until 9 SEPT

Andamooka's Peter Allen speaks out on the proposed changes to mining regulations

Safe Work Australia in partnership with the Commonwealth and states are recommending alteration of work health and safety laws for all mining across Australia. 

This involves the opal mining industry and to this end the South Australian Opal Alliance met on Monday and Tuesday 15-16 August in Coober Pedy to discuss the proposed regulation changes to the mining industries.

Peter Allen representing Andamooka in the South Australian Opal Alliance said on Tuesday, that the Opal Alliance are working towards putting in a submission to try and ensure that the regulations address the differences in opal mining as opposed to the big end of town.

However, Peter said he was more hopeful of keeping the pokie machines out Andmooka than changing the planned regulations of Safe Work Australia.

DISAPPEARANCE OF JASON RICHARDS DECLARED A MAJOR CRIME

Missing man Jason Neil Richards

The disappearance and search for missing person Jason Neil Richards has been declared a Major Crime.

Police hold grave fears for the safety of Mr Richards who’s family have not heard from him since he sent them a text message from Coober Pedy on the 20th June. 

Major Crime Investigation Branch will be taking over the coordinating role of the investigation together with Detectives from the Far North Local Service Area. 

Senior Sergeant David Kennedy Acting Operations Manager Far North said today, “we are not sure what’s going on at the moment, but ‘major crime’ will give us more resources”.

COOBER PEDY AND REMOTE AREAS “ELECTRICITY CRISIS MEETING” TO GO AHEAD

Outback Opal Mining Town of Coober Pedy

An URGENT PUBLIC MEETING scheduled for 10.30am on Sunday 15 May in Coober Pedy will go ahead despite last minute suggestions that the excessive electricity tariffs imposed on 13 Outback Towns will be “looked at” by the State Government.

In February this year, the State Government slashed the Remote Area Subsidy for electricity to 13 remote towns in South Australia’s Far North and continued to withhold $2 million + from a previously approved RAES allowance for Coober Pedy.   

Mayor Steve Baines of Coober Pedy said, “The first round of electricity bills have now been received by outback businesses reflecting up to 116% increases”. 

The District Council of Coober Pedy and the Coober Pedy Business and Tourism Association have subsequently called an URGENT PUBLIC MEETING where residents and business operators of 13 communities will hear from the District Council of Coober Pedy, Nick Xenophon, Independent Senator for SA, The Honourable John Darley MLC (a former Valuer-General) and regional business owners. 

URGENT PUBLIC MEETING
Where: Umoona Opal Mine and Museum
When: This Sunday, May 15
Time: 10.30am sharp
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
DON’T LEAVE COOBER PEDY IN THE DARK!

On the eve of the ‘outback crisis meeting’, Minister for Energy, Michael O’Brien released to ABC Regional Radio (Late Afternoons with Annette Marner) a statement saying that the South Australian Government would now consider a “phased in approach to the new tariffs…. to reduce the impact of higher power bills on large consumers”.  

MEDIA TAKE THE BAIT ON “MISLEADING” DRUG RAID RELEASE

Mintabie bud bust scored 1.5 gram

A marijuana bud and a business shop takings were “seized” in the latest raid at Mintabie on Officer Oil Basin in the Far North of South Australia. 

On Monday 11 April, 2011 a contingency of eight police personel including a police dog and handler arrived at the Mintabie Opal Mining Town in the Far North and confiscated storekeeper Lindsay Kobelt’s shop takings. Mr. Kobelt said the money was takings from the business and there was nothing to suggest it could have been “drug money”.

LEAKED CABINET DOCUMENT REVEALS SA GOVERNMENT DECEIT

Robert Coro, Chairman of the Coober Pedy Retail, Business and Tourism Association is interviewed by Channel 10 on Tuesday in relation to the RAES cuts which will adversely affect all businesses and families in the 13 RAES communities

The leaked Sustainable Budget Commission Report or “Razor Gang Report” reveals that the State Government had full knowledge of the impact the reduction in the RAES subsidy would have on the communities and businesses in remote South Australia…and chose to tell no one!

The State Government knew that this decision would financially strangle businesses and residents in remote communities in (at least) September 2010 and yet they chose to consult with no one until March 2011. Why?

Minister O’Brien and even our Local MP, Lyn Breuer questioned the figures that the District Council of Coober Pedy presented to them in March 2011 claiming that they were incorrect. Yet their own budget report actually put the cost to consumers higher than Council’s estimates!

Following is an extract from Page 131 of the leaked “Razor Gang Report”:  

NORTHERN REGION RALLIES TO FIGHT POWER COST INCREASES

A group of angry Outback SA business people have launched a hard-hitting campaign against the Rann government’s decision to increase electricity prices in their region by as much as 125%.

The campaign which includes a series of press ads in regional papers and The Advertiser and radio advertisements in Adelaide, highlights the devastating effect of the energy tariff increases on local businesses and families.

There are 13 remote towns which will be affected by the cost hike in power bills.

“GOVERNMENT ADVERTISES OUTBACK HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS THAT TRAVELERS CAN’T AFFORD” SAYS BUSINESS OWNER

Where is the logic?

The people involved that we the tax payers employ are obviously out of their minds!!!

It is up to us to make ourselves heard and allow the rest of the State and even Australia know what is happening to us so it won’t happen to them.

*When will it end?  *Where is the justice? *Where is the humanity?
There are so many questions yet still no answers.

‘COOBER PEDY BUSINESSES SET UP A FIGHTING FUND’

 “It is obvious the government have lost complete control of their budget”.
”Letter to Coober Pedy Businesses

Dear All,

By now you will be aware that the state government intends to dramatically increase (more than double in most commercial cases), the price of power to all consumers in Coober Pedy, both domestic and commercial. 

To most of us that means a double hit. 

SATIC: “ALARMING POWER PRICES THREATENS OUTBACK TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY”

Power price increases of up to 120% may force tourism businesses to close in Coober Pedy and other key South Australian outback tourism destinations.

South Australian Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive, Ward Tilbrook says he is dismayed at the rise in the power prices and has concerns for the sustainability of tourism businesses in these regional communities.

REMOTE COMMUNITIES BLUDGEONED IN RUTHLESS TAX RAID

In a letter received from Minister O’Brien yesterday regarding the Remote Areas Energy Supplies (RAES), he states the following reasons for implenting a $1.3 million tax on 13 remote communities in the Far North –

 ”Unfortunately, given the difficult state budget position, the tariff increases will have to be implemented to cover the increased costs of supplying electricity, including increased payments to the independent operators such as Coober Pedy District Council”.

URGENT ACTION ON COOBER PEDY POWER

FAMILY FIRST MLC Dennis Hood is circulating a petition and has raised in Parliament concerns regarding massive increases in the electricity tariff for Coober Pedy and 12 other outback towns that are off the grid‟.

CARBON TAX: “FAMILIES, NOT COMPANIES, WILL PAY”

“ORDINARY families will cop the brunt of Labor’s carbon tax hit squarely in their hip-pockets,” Leader of the Nationals Warren Truss told a rally of over 3,000 protesters outside Parliament House in Canberra today

“Increased cost pressures faced by companies will inevitably be passed on to consumers”.

“That’s not a scare tactic, it’s the very purpose of the regressive carbon tax trigger… to make families think twice before they switch on the air conditioner in summer or turn the heater on in winter.”

“MINING SECTOR A CAUSE FOR CUTTING REMOTE AREAS ELECTRICITY SUBSIDY” SAYS ENERGY MINISTER

Duncan McBain MD of IMX Resources defends allegations that IMX will benefit from subsidised electricity in Coober Pedy after 12 communities received a hefty tariff

Energy Minister Michael O’Brien has stated on ABC radio that “one of the compelling reasons for withdrawing the Remote Areas Electricity Subsidy from 13 remote communities was due to the increased mining activity near Coober Pedy and elsewhere in the state”.

Communities in the Far North of South Australia are now fearing that the expanding mining sector will give rise to blanket taxes on all  SA communities.

On ‘Late Afternoons with Annette Marner’ on ABC radio  Friday 18 March, Ms Marner reported “that businesses in outback towns such as Coober Pedy have been saying that their electricity prices are going up by as much as 130 percent with claims that this will “cripple the outback”.

“The government has reduced funding to what’s known as the Remote Areas Energy Supply Scheme to 5.5 million [cut by $1.3 million dollars] “This affects the communities of Marree, Parachilna, Blinman, Manna Hilla, Yunta, Coburn, Marla, Oodnadatta, Coober Pedy, Kingoonya, Andamooka, Glendambo and Nundroo,” said Ms Marner.

THE TAX THAT FELL OUT OF THE SKY

Dear Editor,

Most of us who live in remote South Australia are content when rain falls from the sky, but the latest tax that fell on us is somewhat confusing. Basically most households in Outback South Australia are now obliged to pay $25.00 for the year, ending 30/06/11.

This is being charged by the Natural Resources Management board, for the stated purpose to “ensure the sustainability of our natural resources”.

REMOTE ELECTRICITY TALKS MAY HELP RECTIFY “BUNGLED” PRICING STRUCTURE IN OUTBACK

Mayor Steve Baines of Coober Pedy speaking on the outback electricity crisis

Negotiations are currently underway between the Coober Pedy District Council and the Hon Michael O’Brien MP, the Minister for Energy in South Australia following community outrage over what outback residents and businesses consider to be a bungled attempt at providing cost effective energy to remote areas of the state.
 
Mayor Steve Baines of Coober Pedy accompanied by Damien Clark Financial Manager of the DCCP and Lyn Breuer MP the Member for Giles attended a scheduled meeting on Thursday at 3.30pm with the Energy minister Michael O’Brien, and also Owen Brown Media Adviser to Premier Mike Rann.

DAN VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: “REMOTE TOWN’S ELECTRICITY TARIFF UNFAIR, UNREALISTIC AND UNACCEPTABLE”

Dan Van Holst Pellekaan Member for Stuart speaks out over electricity tariffs imposed on outback towns

In a speech to the South Australian Parliament on 8 March 2011 Mr Dan Van Holst Pellekaan the Federal Member for Stuart spoke strongly of the effects the unfair and unrealistic electricity tariff would have on outback community’s families and businesses.

Mr. Van Pellekaan firstly declared a personal interest stating, “I am a shareholder in a company with two businesses in the outback which will incur higher prices under this scheme, and that same company subcontracts to companies that contract to the government as part of the process”.

“I will not delve into all the details of that but I am integrally involved in this, and I lived in the outback for seven years and really do understand this system very well.

ENERGY MINISTER’S “OFFENSIVE COMMENTS” SHOCK S.A. REMOTE AREA TRADERS

Adam Plate pictured at the Oodnadatta power station, said he found Minister Michael O'Brien's comments highly offensive

Adam Plate of Oodnadatta Traders (Pink Roadhouse Oodnadatta), a general outback business employing up to 12 people, this week expressed dismay at the electricity price rises which he said will be “much greater than suggested”. 

Adam Plate said he heard Energy Minister Hon Michael O’Brien on radio suggesting that living in the outback was ‘lifestyle choice’, “which implied to me that if we didn’t like it we could pack up and leave”,  he said.

OUTBACK ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: “SHORT SIGHTED SA GOVERNMENT SADDLES TOWNS WITH IMPOSSIBLE DEBTS”

Letter to Senator Nick Xenaphon from Yanni Athanasiadis of Umoona Opal Mine and Museum re: the short sighted decision of SA Government and Energy minister to impose $1.3m electricity tariff on Outback towns in SA

 Dear Nick,  Many Regards.
 
Coober Pedy once again is calling for your help.  We are in a devastating situation at the moment with 13 small outback towns that are not on the state electricity grid.

The SA Govt and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Energy have decided to cut our electricity subsidy by $1.3m.  It is not alot of money in a budget where the same minister is going to spend $250m on roads infrastructure.

OUTBACK ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: “CONTEMPTUOUS TREATMENT OF OUTBACK SA COMMUNITIES”

Letter to Premier Mike Rann from Yanni Athanasiadis of Umoona Opal Mine & Museum Coober Pedy re: discriminatory $1.3million electricity tax on remote South Australian communities

Mr Rann,
 
My name is Yanni Athanasiadis and I have been a resident of Coober Pedy for 38 years and during that time, my primary business in Coober Pedy has been the ‘Umoona Opal Mine and Museum.

For the last financial year end June 30 2010, my electricity bill was $30,366, with the cut of the electricity subsidy for our town and the other 12 small towns and communities, my electricity bill will increase to $52,000. 

OUTBACK ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: “WE WILL PURSUE THIS AS FAR AS IT GOES!”

Letter to Ms Lyn Breuer MP from Yanni Athanasiadis Umoona Opal Mine & Museum Coober Pedy re: Discrimination in Electricity Tariffs imposed on Regional South Australians

Mrs Breuer,
 
I tried to call your office a few times but with no luck, you must have been very busy.

As a concerned resident and business owner in Coober Pedy I thought to write this email to you as you are the elected local representative.

SA GOVT SQUEEZE $1.3M FROM OUTBACK TOWNS IN A CRIPPLING TAX LUNGE

SA govt squeeze outback towns for $1.3m extra taxes but procrastinate over collecting $200m in unpaid fines elsewhere

Letter to Editor by: Richard Abbott a licenced land surveyor from Adelaide who visits Coober Pedy regularly.

Dear Media Editors,

Could you please bring this power charge surge crisis to Adelaide readers as Adelaideans may soon get a rude shock to find that they were left in the dark over this ruthless government’s shocking power policy imposed on remote Coober Pedy?

Electricity price for Coober Pedy businesses set to rise by up to 123% and to be 154%  dearer than equivalent Adelaide businesses from 1 MAY 2011.

MINISTER SNUBS REGIONAL TOURISM OVER POWER INCREASES

South Australian tourism minister John Rau brushed aside the fate of tourism businesses in remote communities when asked in parliament how he expects a small remote tourism business to absorb massive increases in electricity bills.

Tourism businesses in remote towns like Coober Pedy were given just four days notice that their electricity prices would more than double.

SA GOVT’S NEW ELECTRICITY TARRIFS = JOB LOSSES FOR COOBER PEDY

Coober Pedy's Mayor Steve Baines informs residents of their right to be heard on skyrocketed electricity prices in the outback

The District Council of Coober Pedy and the Coober Pedy Retail Business and Tourism Association are vehemently opposed to the new South Australian Government electricity tarriff increases and are doing everything possible to have the decision to increase tariffs reversed.

On the 18th February 2011, Council was notified that the electricity tariffs set by the State Government were to rise.

After digesting the new tariff structure and undertaking a comparison of some of our commercial consumers it became most apparent that commercial tariffs would rise up to 120%.

“TOUR DE YASI” LEAVES FAR NORTH SA COLD AND FLOODED

John Dunstan of 'John & Yoka's Opal and Art sweeps away flood waters at the front of his shop on Sunday morning in Coober Pedy

Temperatures in the Far North communities of SA plummeted from the high 40s down to 17C on Sunday as Ex-Cyclone Yasi circled the top end of the state.

Pastoral areas north of Coober Pedy sustained heavy flooding leaving many Stations inaccessible except by helicopter according to Trevor Wright of Wright’s Air, based at William Creek.

Ernabella on APY Lands had the highest rainfalls at 201.6 mm (8 inches), Arckaringa Station 167 mm, Todmorden Station 178 mm and  Hamilton Station 138 mm. (Thurs overnight - Monday morning)

“A big flood is occuring in the Alberga River and still rising”, said Douglas Lillecrapp of Todmorden Station on Monday.  ”It is the highest since March 1989, but still has to rise another 300 mm to reach the 1989 peak”.

CYCLONE YASI: UP TO 8 INCHES FLOODING FOR OUTBACK SA

for THUNDERSTORMS, DAMAGING WIND, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES

Storm clouds gather menacingly above Coober Pedy and the town braces itself for the Yasi fallout

A deep tropical low pressure system associated with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Yasi is threatening up to 8 inches of rain for areas just north of Coober Pedy over the weekend. 

Mine Rescue/SES crew member Andy Sheils said, “our unit has supplied the District Council of Coober Pedy with sufficient sand-bags for emergency situations should the need arise”. 

“The town’s Rescue Squad will be on standby for any rescue work due to possible flooding over the next few days,” said Mr. Sheils.

IMX: CAIRN HILL SALES CONTRACT NOVATED TO SICHUAN TAIFENG

Iron ore producer, IMX Resources Limited (ASX:IXR) is pleased to announce that the Cairn Hill Phase 1 life of mine sales contract has been novated to the Sichuan Taifeng Group on the same terms and conditions as the original sales contract.

LINC ENERGY AWARDS $2.6M SEISMIC CONTRACT AT ARCKARINGA BASIN

Linc Energy CEO and Managing Director Peter Bond announced this week that Terrex Seismic had been awarded a $2.6 million contract for an aggressive 2D seismic program on Linc Energy’s petroleum and coal exploration leases in South Australia’s Arckaringa Basin.

ETSA WARNS: CATASTROPHIC FIRE CONDITIONS FOR SA – HIGH WINDS

Elders Weather: 45 degrees predicted for Coober Pedy on New Year’s Day

ETSA Utilities is closely monitoring weather conditions following the CFS warning of catastrophic fire conditions tomorrow (Friday) and the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting winds of up to 55kmh.

LIGHT AIRCRAFT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING NEAR WILLIAM CREEK IN FAR NORTH

Residents of the Williams Creek area availed themselves to search and rescue procedures yesterday afternoon, when a light plane (Jabiru) made an emergency landing approximately 48 kilometres North West of William Creek on Anna Creek Station. 

MAN MISSING NEAR GLENDAMBO – POLICE SEEK ASSISTANCE

Update: Police have since released that the missing man has returned to Glendambo safely, although suffering from dehydration after 7 hours in the scrub with temperatures in the high 30s.

Previously: Roxby Downs Police are seeking the assistance of the public to help identify and locate a man missing in the State’s Far North.  The man, believed to be aged in his early 30s, attended the Franklin Street Greyhound Bus depot in Adelaide and paid cash for a bus ticket to Glendambo.  The man gave his name as Shane Hooper, but no identification was sighted.

GREENS: “SOLAR DELAY COSTING HOUSEHOLDS $5,000 DAILY”

“The Rann Government’s tardiness in changing its solar feed-in bonus scheme will cost households with solar PV cells at least $800,000 – with potential lost revenue increasing $5,000 per day”, says SA Greens Mark Parnell MLC.

“On the 31 August 2010 (after sitting on a consultant’s report for 6 months), Premier Rann finally announced a long overdue increase in the solar feed-in scheme rate from 44c/kWh to 54c/kWh, as well as obligating retailers to pay an additional minimum rate for the power they receive from the owners of solar panels”.

SACE: YEAR 12 RESULTS POSTED TODAY

The wait is nearly over for thousands of Year 12 students as they prepare to receive their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) results tomorrow.

At the SACE Board of South Australia building, Australia Post vans will be loaded with 17,492 student results’ envelopes this morning – these are due to reach destinations across the State on Thursday.

OLYMPIC DAM: URANIUM ALTERNATIVE WOULD SAVE UP TO $18.9 MILLION LITRES WATER DAILY

Authorities have got to decide whether they are happy for South Australia to simply be China’s quarry”, says SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

A new peer-reviewed report shows that a ‘no uranium’ option for the Olympic Dam mega-expansion is not only technically feasible, but would provide significantly better environmental outcomes.

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell have used the release of the report by Monash University academic Dr Gavin Mudd to call for the South Australian and Federal governments to require BHP Billiton to formally analyse and report on the ‘no-uranium’ option.

AUSTRALIA’S MEDIA CONSIDER SA’s RESOURCE POTENTIAL

The tour group at Coober Pedy including Mr Kim Boehm Managing Director of Clemenger, Daniel Tsogas Director, Marketing & Communications of Advantage SA, Nikki Seymour-Smith Chief Executive of Advantage SA and Megan Andrews Director Memberships & Communications of SACOME

South Australian Government communications organisation Advantage SA this week hosted interstate and local media groups on a tour aimed at encouraging positive publicity for the SA mining sector.

Advantage SA CEO Nikki Seymour-Smith said, “Advantage SA’s Interstate Media Program seeks to challenge and alter the perceptions held by editors and key interstate media representatives regarding South Australia. It aims to profile South Australia as a visionary, creative, and innovative State, while providing an informative hands-on experience that highlights the key advantages of the State”.

BHP SUPPLEMENTARY EIS RESPONSE IS IN – PUBLIC TO WAIT A FURTHER 8 WEEKS

BHP Billiton operators of the Olympic Dam gold, copper and uranium mine in the mid north of the state has handed the South Australian government it’s 15,000 page supplementary environmental impact statement.

The South Australian, Northern Territory and federal governments will now deliberate over the project with a decision expected in the second half of 2011.

CAB CHASSIS UTES – DISAPPOINTING SAFETY RATINGS

The Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series Cab/Chass Utility received an overall score of 22.88 (out of 37)

Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, today announced a disappointing 3-star safety ratings for two cab chassis utes – the Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series and the Nissan Patrol – following crash tests of the vehicles.

DTEI’s Director Road Safety, Martin Small said the 3-star rating for the two utes, which are popular in rural areas, was not a good result.

DRUG STASH ($150K) FOUND IN ADELAIDE – ALICE SPRINGS BUS LUGGAGE

Police sniffer dogs have found a commercial quantity of drugs stashed in luggage on a northbound bus in Alice Springs overnight.

Police were checking the Stuart Highway bus from Adelaide when sniffer dogs found an estimated $150,000 worth of drugs in a 24-year-old man’s swag.

OZ MINERALS: SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT PROMINENT HILL

Executive General Manager of Oz Minerals Mick Wilkes to leave Prominent Hill for golder pastures

OZ Minerals announced today that Executive General Manager Mick Wilkes has accepted an exciting new role as CEO of the Australian based gold mining company OceanaGold Corporation and will be leaving OZ Minerals at the end of the year.

Managing Director and CEO of OZ Minerals Terry Burgess said, “We congratulate Mick on attaining his new role and wish him well in this important move in his career. Mick has made a highly valuable contribution to the development of OZ Minerals, including the successful development and management of the Sepon gold and copper project in Laos and the Prominent Hill copper/gold operation in South Australia.”

LGA COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS 2010- COOBER PEDY

FINAL results for the 2010 Local Government elections at Coober Pedy.

The following  election results are published by the Local Government Association. Results are only final where candidates are marked “elected”. 

GROWING INDIGENOUS WORKFORCE AT PROMINENT HILL IN FAR NORTH

On Thursday 28 October at Prominent Hill eight members of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands community graduated from the Award Winning* OZ Minerals Pre-Employment Training Program and were formally recognised in their new mining industry roles.

Eight TAFE graduates from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands community after their presentation, with OZ Minerals CEO Terry Burgess and Prominent Hill General Manager Mick Wilkes

Industry qualifications, through this program, have now been gained by 51 local and Indigenous graduates and 40 of these graduates are still working at Prominent Hill.

CAIRN HILL PROJECT NEAR COOBER PEDY HITS ANOTHER MILESTONE

The first train load of Cairn Hill Magnetite – Copper – Gold ore leaves the Rankin Dam rail facility bound for Port Adelaide

IMX Resources Limited is pleased to announce that the first train load of Cairn Hill Magnetite – Copper – Gold ore left the Rankin Dam rail facility bound for Port Adelaide on Sunday 17th October.

IMX Resources Managing Director Duncan McBain said “The commencement of railing ore to the port was the next key milestone in the evolution of Cairn Hill as a producing mine. The successful loading of the first train is a culmination of combined efforts of IMX, Exact Mining Services, SBR, Flinders Ports and DP World over an extended period of time.”