CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 WINNERS
The Australian Mining Prospect Awards recognise the best in mining and minerals processing.
Indigenous & Community Engagement Award – proudly sponsored by Sandvik
The winner for the Indigenous & Community Engagement Award is Banjima Land Rehabilitation Partnership from BHP.
The Banjima Land Rehabilitation Partnership is an informal but highly valued collaboration between Banjima Traditional Owner members, organisations, and businesses in land conservation and the re-vegetation of native plants on BHP mining areas located on Banjima traditional lands in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The collaboration values the identification and consideration of Aboriginal and natural heritage in the planning and execution of mine rehabilitation activities.
Safety Advocate of the Year Award – proudly sponsored by Flexco
The winner for the Safety Advocate of the Year Award is Craig Hagan from Yancoal Australia.
Craig Hagan believes in safety culture as a way of life, not just a policy or process. In his most recent project in the mining sector, he has been able to develop and implement a culture change strategy that has reduced total injuries by 60% and lost time injuries by 50% over the past three years resulting in best practice results for company and sector.
Excellence in Environmental Management & Sustainability – proudly sponsored by Bonfiglioli
The winner for the Excellence in Environmental Management & Sustainability Award is Airx Robot System from Maven Greentech.
The AirX Robot System by Maven Greentech is a pioneering robot-driven air filter cleaning system tailored for mining sites and workshops. First deployed at Glencore’s Hail Creek Coal Mine, AirX boasts a highly efficient automated robot system. Filters are placed on a conveyor that can handle six at once, cleaned and integrity-tested within five hours by the robot. Beyond ensuring top-quality filters, AirX conducts diagnostic checks both before and after cleaning, enhancing equipment maintenance strategies.
Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S Award – proudly sponsored by Geographe
The winner for the Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S Award is Toptorque Precision Reactionless Bolting from Engentus Pty Ltd.
The TopTorque Precision Reactionless Bolting System is a Western Australian developed innovation that eliminates the biggest hazard from tightening industrial bolted joints with powered torque wrenches. Engentus has developed reaction-tip bolts and counterrotating drivers to internally react the torque from a powered torque wrench – completely removing the reaction arm and its potential hand-crush and tool kick-back hazards.
Project Lead of The Year Award – proudly sponsored by Regal Rexnord
The winner for the Project Lead of The Year Award is Craig Hagan from Yancoal Australia.
Currently leading the training and safety culture function for Yancoal, Craig Hagan has designed and implemented a range of initiatives that have a direct impact on the health and safety of employees for workers and the company. The fact that he’s managed to successfully implement systems in a variety of sectors, including mining, proves that when you take the time to listen to your workforce and consider their needs as an integral part of your business model, you can achieve amazing things together.
Excellence in IIoT Application Award – proudly sponsored by ifm
The winner for the Excellence in IIoT Application Award is HxGN MineProtect OAS from Hexagon.
HxGN MineProtect Operator Alertness System (OAS) is a state-of-the-art fatigue and distraction management solution that helps operators of heavy and light vehicles maintain the level of attention necessary for long hours and monotonous tasks. When combined with distraction, fatigue is reported to be responsible for 65 percent of accidents in open pit mines. To combat this risk, HxGN MineProtect OAS provides feedback through machine-learning image processing of operator fatigue and distraction in real-time.
Innovative Mining Solution – proudly sponsored by Austmine
The winner for Innovative Mining Solution is Autonomous Haulage System from Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd.
Innovation is intrinsic to Roy Hill, and there’s no clearer example than the company’s decision to invest, develop and deliver the world’s first interoperable autonomous haulage system. Over the past three and a half years, the mining company has worked hand in hand with its development partners to create an agnostic autonomous haulage system that can convert haul trucks to driverless operation, whatever make or model, with capacity to extend the technology to other heavy vehicles in future.
Outstanding Mine Performance – proudly sponsored by SEW-EURODRIVE
The winner for Outstanding Mine Performance is Aquila Mine from Anglo American.
Aquila Mine stands out as a pinnacle of technological advancement among Australia’s longwall operations, capitalizing on Anglo American’s ground-breaking strides in longwall automation, remote management, and data analytics. By July 2022, the mine transitioned to remote longwall operations, setting the stage for an impressive year, yielding 4.3 million tonnes. Aquila Mine is poised to surpass five million tonnes in 2023, improving further in 2024.
Mine Project Success of the Year – proudly sponsored by Epiroc
The winner for Outstanding Mine Performance is HxGN MineProtect OAS from Hexagon.
Hexagon has partnered with MMG, an international producer of base metals, to deploy HxGN MineProtect OAS on 11 underground mining trucks at their Rosebery mine in Tasmania, Australia. Currently accepted as standard in surface mining, MMG and Hexagon completed Australia’s first application of OAS to underground mining trucks to reduce risks and further strengthen operator safety.
Discovery of the Year – proudly sponsored by Atlas Iron
The winner for Outstanding Mine Performance is IG6 Springdale Graphite Project from International Graphite.
International Graphite (ASX:IG6) is on track to be one of the western world’s first producers of battery anode graphite for the global lithium-ion battery market. The IG6 Springdale Graphite Project is now the second biggest deposit in Australia and one of the top 15 outside China. It is an important discovery that means the Company will be able to offer a sustainable and reliable supply of battery anode graphite completely produced in Western Australia, one of the world’s most attractive Tier 1 resource jurisdictions, and underpinned by Australia’s reputation, technical knowhow and high standards of ESG.
Australian Mine of the Year – proudly sponsored by National Group
The winner for Australian Mine of the Year is Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd.
Innovation is intrinsic to Roy Hill, and there’s no clearer example than the company’s decision to invest, develop and deliver the world’s first interoperable autonomous haulage system. This achievement unlocks the benefits of autonomy for mining operations around the world, regardless of size or fleet configuration. AHS is no longer restricted to a select few with the financial muscle to implement an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) solution.
Lifetime Achievement Award – proudly sponsored by Roy Hill
The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Roy Watterson.
Roy Watterson left a permanent mark on the mining and quarrying industry, earning him a reputation as a visionary leader. In 1995, Roy founded Lincom Group. Under his leadership, Lincom rapidly became a major equipment supplier to the Chinese coal industry. Over the years, Roy and Lincom significantly increased their footprint in the quarry and mining equipment industry, leaving an enduring impact across Australia and Papua New Guinea. Tragically, in 2021, Roy Watterson passed away in an accident. His contributions to the sector continue to be remembered and celebrated, and his legacy lives on through the business he helped and the countless lives he influenced along the way.
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