A crowd of nearly 1000 people gathered at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre to see five inspiring women from Cube Consulting, Fortescue Metals Group, South 32 and Woodside Energy recognised in the individual award categories. 

BHP was recognised in the company initiative category. 

CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham paid tribute to the winners and their inspirational stories. 

“These women reflect the enormous value that diversity and inclusion provide to our sector,” Mr Everingham said. 

“Some are currently in leadership positions and some will progress to those types of roles. But each is already an outstanding role model for the tens of thousands of women who work each day on mining and resources operations around WA, and many more who might be considering careers in our sector. 

“I’m very proud to work in a sector that has a genuine commitment to promoting and achieving equality, inclusivity and diversity in its workforce. 

“By recognising and celebrating not just our award winners but also the finalists in each category, we can hopefully further shine the spotlight on the extremely wide variety of jobs, career pathways and leadership opportunities available to women in our sector.”  

The winners last night were: 

• Women in Resources Champion: Rebecca Prain, Managing Director, Cube Consulting 
• Outstanding Woman in Resources: Sara Braund, Vice President- Digital Technology, South32 
• Outstanding Young Woman in Resources: Pooja Haria, Reliability Engineer, Fortescue Metals Group 
• Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman in Resources: Laura Allen, Process Owner, Woodside Energy 
• Technological Innovation Award: Alison van Lent, Commercialisation Manager, Woodside Energy 
• Outstanding Company Initiative: BHP, Office creche and family-friendly workspaces – Perth and Newman 
• People’s Choice Award:  Pooja Haria, Reliability Engineer, Fortescue Metals Group.

The post 2021 CME Women in Resources Awards winners announced appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham said the pain and hardship caused by the devastating Perth Hills fires had prompted CME to establish the Bushfire Community Support Initiative for members to contribute to. 

“Most of us know someone who has been impacted in some way by the bushfires and, as an industry, we are keen to help out and provide critical financial aid and support to local families and communities,” he said.

“It’s heartbreaking to see people lose their homes and in some cases, their livelihoods, and we hope that the funds raised will help make things a little easier for these local communities as they start to rebuild.

“Member companies have committed more than $6.8 million in support so far, and we hope to raise more in the coming weeks.” 

CME member companies who have already committed significant donations include:

• AngloGold Ashanti
• BHP
• Chevron Australia
• INPEX Australia
• Minara Resources
• Mt Gibson Iron
• Newmont Australia
• Northern Star
• Ramelius Resources
• Rio Tinto
• Roy Hill
• Shell
• South32
• Talison Lithium
• Woodside

Financial support from member companies will be to be distributed between two key community support organisations – Lord Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund and the Red Cross.  

Photo: DFES Incident Photographer Evan Collis

The post More than $6.8 million from WA’s mining & resources sector to support Perth’s bushfire communities appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham today announced the coordination of a CME Bushfire Community Support Initiative. 

“The images of the devastation caused by these bushfires have had a profound impact on anyone who has seen them, in an area well known to the wider community,” Mr Everingham said. 

“People have lost their homes, livestock and pets, along with priceless memories. Others have been displaced and don’t know when they will be able to return home. 

“A significant number of workers at CME member companies have been impacted by these fires and many others will have friends and families who have been affected. 

“The CME Bushfire Community Support Initiative will directly support response, relief and recovery efforts for those impacted by the Perth Hills fires. 

“Member companies have committed more than $4 million in support funding so far, and it’s early days. 

“We know we can’t replace what many of those people have lost but hopefully we can make things a little easier for them in the days, weeks and months to come.” 

CME member companies which have already committed to significant donations are:

• Chevron Australia
• Minara Resources
• Mt Gibson Iron
• Newmont Australia
• Northern Star
• Rio Tinto
• Roy Hill
• South32
• Woodside

CME member companies wishing to contribute to the Disaster Relief Initiative can contact Susan Cull, Manager – Workforce Capability on s.cull@cmewa.com.  

Photo: DFES Incident Photographer Evan Collis

The post CME and member companies establish Bushfire Community Support Initiative appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

“While the Police Commissioner has defined resources sector workers as essential, the priority of CME and its members remains the health and safety of the wider community and the sector’s workforce. As such, as responsible members of the WA community, we are keeping all outbound Perth travel to an absolute minimum.“

The post CME comments re WA lockdown appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

CME chief executive Paul Everingham said Mr Vella – who is the chamber’s president – would carry a wide range of skills and experiences into his new role.  

Mr Vella is currently Rio Tinto’s Interim Iron Ore Chief Executive. 

“I’ve worked closely with Ivan for a number of years, but particularly since he was appointed President of CME in April last year,” Mr Everingham said. 

“Ivan is an outstanding operator, whose intimate knowledge of the WA mining and resources sector has been invaluable to CME. 

“He took over as Interim Iron Ore Chief Executive during a time of significant change for Rio Tinto and has shown a great deal of leadership in that role. 

“On behalf of CME and its member companies, I’d like to congratulate Ivan on this promotion and wish him all the best for his upcoming move to Montreal.” 

Mr Everingham also welcomed Rio Tinto’s new Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott to the job. 

Mr Trott was previously based in Singapore as Rio Tinto’s Chief Commercial Officer. 

“Simon grew up in Western Australia and I’m looking forward to working closely with him in his new position,” Mr Everingham said. 

The post CME congratulates Ivan Vella on new Rio Tinto role appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

The WA Government announced today it would invest an additional $1.6 million to fund specialist short-term processing roles. 

CME Director of Policy and Advocacy Rob Carruthers said the investment was welcomed and that the mining and resources sector looked forward to ongoing reform around approvals. 

“CME welcomes any measure to reduce approval timeframes and improve regulatory outcomes, which is why it has supported the National Cabinet’s commitment to bilateral approvals,” Mr Carruthers said. 

“Given increased activity across the mining and resources sector, CME strongly endorses today’s announcement by the WA Government to provide additional processing capacity to work through high volumes of approvals.  

 “CME looks forward to the next WA government prioritising delivery of structural reforms to reduce unnecessary duplication and procedural delays across project approval processes.  

“These reforms have the capacity to bring forward both economic investment and job creation, while ensuring robust regulatory outcomes.” 

There are currently $129 billion in mining and resources projects in the pipeline across WA. 

The post CME welcomes additional approval processing capacity, looks forward to more reform appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

Each year WIRA recognises the power of gender diversity in the WA mining and resources sector. 

CME received more than 80 nominations for this year’s awards and the strong quality of entries is reflected by the finalists, who represent mining and oil and gas operations around WA and take in a diverse range of fields and roles. 

There are also three finalists in the outstanding company initiative category. 

CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham said the calilbre of finalists was indicative of the essential and ever-growing role women play in the sector. 

“CME and its member companies are absolutely committed to the importance of diversity and gender equality in our sector,” Mr Everingham said. 

“The 14 women, one man and three companies who make up our finalists for the WIRA 2021 are very much a reflection of that commitment. 

“I’m extremely proud that female participation in the sector has been growing steadily over the past eight years and that the number of women in leadership roles has seen a sharp increase. 

“I’m also very much looking forward to the annual WIRA presentation dinner, which is always one of our most enjoyable nights of the year and will showcase some of the very best people and initiatives our sector has to offer.” 

The 2021 WIRA presentation dinner will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 5. 

The 2021 finalists are as follows: 

Women in Resources Champion  

• Peter Bennett – CEO and Managing Director, Clough 
• Mhairi Cameron – West Angelas Fixed Plant Manager, Rio Tinto 
• Rebecca Prain – General Manager, Cube Consulting 

Outstanding Woman in Resources  

• Sara Braund – VP Digital Technology, South32 
• Natasha Hendrick – Principal Geophysicist, Santos 
• Yvette Manolas – Asset Manager Pluto, Woodside Energy 

Outstanding Young Woman in Resources 

• Stephanie Graskoski – Mining Consultant, Resolve Mining Solutions 
• Pooja Haria – Reliability Engineer, Solomon, Fortescue Metals Group 
• Kristen Pelc – Principal Commercial, South32 

Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman in Resources  

• Laura Allen – Process Owner, Woodside Energy 
• Linda Deverell – Mine Production Controller and Crew Trainer, Thiess Pty Ltd 
• Georgie Feakes – Production Technician, Chevron 

Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award 

• Christine Fahl – Senior Consultant Process Development Engineer, Alcoa of Australia 
• Michelle Keegan – Program Director Technology Development, South32 
• Alison Van Lent – Commercialisation Manager, Woodside Energy 

Outstanding Company Initiative 

• The Prospects Program, Alcoa of Australia 
• Office Creche & Family Friendly Workspaces (Perth & Newman), BHP      
• Gender Equality Plan, Clough 

The post Finalists announced for 2021 Women In Resources Awards appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham said he understood the Senator for Queensland Matt Canavan had probably made the levy suggestion thinking it might assist the industry but explained that such a measure would negatively impact on the competitiveness of WA’s iron ore miners. 

“CME and its member companies welcome the commitment from Minister Pitt that there will be no consideration of such a levy,” Mr Everingham said. 

“I understand Senator Canavan made the suggestion at a time when some commodities face uncertainty around exports to China.  But to place a levy on iron ore exports from Australia will simply see buyers like China purchase more iron ore from competitor countries like Brazil. 

“This, in turn, would have adverse impacts on both the WA and Australian economies. 

“Like Minister Pitt, CME and its member companies support the following of international trade rules.” 

The post CME statement on iron ore ‘levy’ commentary appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

Chief Executive Paul Everingham said CME and its member companies would consider the recommendations but remained steadfast in support for the modernisation of WA’s heritage legislation, and the role of the State as the primary regulator for Aboriginal cultural heritage.  

“CME and several of our member companies were afforded the opportunity to provide submissions to the JSCNA inquiry and to appear before the committee,” Mr Everingham said. 

“Aboriginal cultural heritage is an issue our sector takes extremely seriously and I’d like to thank the committee for that opportunity.” 

“The complexity of this issue is evident in the detail of the recommendations arising from the report and additional comments.  

“The ongoing reform of WA’s Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation remains the number one priority for the sector. This is a critical piece of legislation and it’s important we get it right for future generations. 

“We have made detailed submissions to all three phases of consultation of the reform process and had hoped that the draft Bill to replace the current Act would pass through Parliament this year. We remain committed to continuing to work constructively towards its progression in 2021. 

“We fundamentally do not agree with a recommendation to strengthen Federal oversight on Aboriginal heritage matters. Imposing another layer of regulation will not ‘fix’ issues identified, nor will it deliver any improvements to heritage outcomes in WA. 

“This would only duplicate processes and procedures that are best delivered at a local level with local stakeholders and remove the role of Traditional Custodians to make decisions about management of proposed impacts to their own cultural heritage.” 

Mr Everingham said a recommendation of a moratorium on Section 18 notices under the existing Act was a “blunt instrument” that would have wide-ranging negative community and economic impacts. 

“It’s important people understand Government approvals make up only one part of the work that companies do to manage impacts to land and heritage. There are many years of work that go on behind the scenes. As a consequence, many Section 18 applications cover activities that will have no direct impact on heritage values,” Mr Everingham said. 

“It is not only the mining and resources sector which is granted approval for works under Section 18 notices. Agencies like Main Roads and local governments are some of the biggest users of these approvals, which are critical to the progress of major projects across the State. 

“WA is an attractive investment destination for many industries, partly because of the confidence offered by our stable political conditions. Recommendations for things like moratoriums have the capacity to erode some of that confidence. 

“I note WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt’s comments to the inquiry on the ongoing, nuanced role of Section 18s as we work towards reformed Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation in WA. 

“CME supports this pragmatic approach, which balances the need for reform with the importance of long-term certainty.”  

Mr Everingham said CME and its member companies recognised and respected the connection Aboriginal people have to their land and cultural heritage.  

“Ongoing consultation and agreement making with Aboriginal stakeholders is fundamental to good long-term heritage management outcomes.” Mr Everingham said. 

“As an industry, we continue to support the formalisation of agreement-making on heritage within the new Act, to make sure that the priorities of local Custodians are at the forefront of cultural heritage management. 

“Our sector also recognises the importance of responsive review mechanisms in circumstances where significant new information becomes available on heritage matters.” 

Mr Everingham said the JSCNA inquiry had provided public context around how the mining and resources sector’s engagement with Aboriginal people had developed over time. 

“Mining has occurred in the Pilbara for more than six decades, and in the Goldfields for many more. The way the sector engages with Aboriginal people on land and cultural heritage has evolved considerably,” Mr Everingham said. 

“Our sector has not been perfect and there have been many lessons learnt along that journey. 

“But the value of ongoing and open dialogue with Aboriginal stakeholders has never been more central to our member companies and they will continue to invest in these relationships, both now and into the future.” 

The post CME response to interim report from Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

INPEX announced today that all employees working on its offshore facilities will live in WA by the end of 2023. 

CME Director of Policy and Advocacy Rob Carruthers said the decision would have important long-term benefits for the WA economy and the communities in which INPEX operates. 

“It’s very pleasing to see INPEX join the likes of BHP, Rio Tinto and Woodside by making this commitment to a local workforce model,” Mr Carruthers said. 

“With projects such as Ichthys and Bayu-Undan and interests in the Prelude facility and the Van Gogh and Novara oil fields, INPEX is one of the WA oil and gas sector’s major employers. 

“To have the employees of INPEX’s offshore facilities, plus their families, living in WA is a potentially significant boost for regional communities and will also deliver meaningful economic outcomes as the State continues its recovery from COVID-19.” 

CME is the peak resources sector representative body in Western Australia, with its member companies employing 86 per cent of the sector’s workforce. 

The post INPEX announcement good news for Western Australia appeared first on The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.