The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s (DMIRS) Resources Sector Awards for Excellence are now open for nominations.
The awards recognise outstanding environmental innovations, performance and leadership initiatives that benefit Western Australian communities and ensure responsible development of the state’s resources.
The Resources Sector Awards for Excellence brings together the prestigious Golden Gecko environmental awards and the Community Partnership Resources Sector Award.
Celebrating its 30th year, the Golden Gecko Award for Environmental Excellence has recognised more than 60 projects, which improved the environmental outcomes for Western Australia.
Sandfire Resources was the 2019 winner of the Golden Gecko Award for Environmental Excellence in recognition of the DeGrussa Solar Farm.
Since coming online in 2016, the solar farm’s 34,080 solar photovoltaic panels have reduced Sandfire’s carbon emissions by 30,789 tonnes and offset 11 million litres of diesel. The facility accounts for 17-20 per cent of the mine site’s power requirements and represents a significant environmental saving.
The Community Partnership Resources Sector Award recognises those who are building sustainable partnerships with communities that extend beyond the life of a project, creating long-term benefits.
For the first time ever there were two outstanding winners for the award in 2020.
Scitech and Alcoa of Australia won the award for their Alcoa Maths Enrichment Program. The program, which is rolled out at Bunbury and Mandurah primary schools, prepares students for the modern workforce where 75 per cent of the fastest-growing jobs will require STEM skills.
The second award was presented to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Shires of Mingenew, Morowa and Perenjori in partnership with Karara Mining Ltd for their Midwest Mobile Dental Clinic. The clinic provides access to free, quality, dental services 25 weeks of the year, improving health outcomes for people in the state’s mid-west.
Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston, said the Awards for Excellence encourage industry to continually improve by sharing the outcomes and benefits of developing a sustainable and responsible resources sector.
“This year we celebrate three decades of environmental excellence in our resources sector and projects that have set new standards in the industry,” Minister Johnston said. “These awards advance the $172 billion resources sector’s innovation and technological capabilities ensuring Western Australia remains a world leader.”
“I know there are many people working on projects and initiatives that are quietly making a difference in our communities. I encourage them to nominate for the 2021 Resources Sector Awards for Excellence and let the Western Australian community know about their achievements,” he said.
Nominations for the 2021 awards close 5 pm Thursday April 22. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in September 2021.
More information on the awards can be found here.
