Renewable energy, rehabilitation, education and training are the focus of five projects shortlisted for the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s 2021 Resources Sector Awards for Excellence.
The shortlisted projects span across Western Australia and demonstrate the resources sector’s commitment to striving for excellence in environmental outcomes and community partnerships.
The Resources Sector Awards for Excellence recognise innovation, outstanding performance and leadership in environmental and sustainable initiatives that benefit local communities and ensure responsible development of the state’s resources.
The awards bring together the prestigious Golden Gecko environmental awards and the Community Partnership Resources Sector Award.
Celebrating its 30th year, the prestigious Golden Gecko Award for Environmental Excellence has recognised more than 60 projects for demonstrating innovation, outstanding performance and positive environmental outcomes for WA.
Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Johnston, said: “This year we celebrate three decades of environmental excellence in our resources sector and the projects that have set new standards in the industry.”
“By sharing these projects, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is encouraging other resources companies to continually improve and be at the forefront in community and environmental outcomes,” Minister Johnston said.
“These awards recognise and advance the $172 billion sector’s innovation and technological capabilities ensuring Western Australia remains globally competitive and a leader in the resources sector.”
The shortlisted applicants for the Golden Gecko Award are:
Flora Restorer – Revegetating a Diverse Ecosystem, Iluka Resources Limited
To support rehabilitation works, Iluka designed ‘Flora Restorer’, focused on building and commissioning new equipment for seeding, imprinting and stabilising sandy topsoil for the revegetation of a diverse ecosystem after mining.
Agnew Hybrid Renewable Project, Gold Fields Australia and EDL
This project relates to renewable energy generation at the remote, off-grid Agnew Gold Mine using large-scale wind generation at a mine. It provides Gold Fields with an average of 50-60 per cent renewable energy with 99.99 per cent reliability.
Lake Kepwari: from open-cut coal mine to water sports landmark, Premier Coal
The former Lake Kepwari open cut coal mine has been rehabilitated into a 100-hectare water body, surrounded by 120 hectares of bushland. Recreational facilities have been constructed and the area was opened to the public in December 2020.
The shortlisted applicants for the Community Partnership Resources Sector Award are:
Men in Sheds and Mitsui E&P Australia Deconstruction
Through a partnership with Dongara Men in Sheds, Mitsui E&P Australia assisted with removing redundant infrastructure for recycling, providing on-site training to volunteers and providing resources to Men in Sheds and the broader community.
Dandjoo Darbalung Program – St Catherine’s College and IGO, AngloGold Ashanti, Sandfire Resources and Barminco
St Catherine’s College provides various community and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Perth through the Dandjoo Darbalung program. The program has attracted an increasing number of mining company partners over the past three years and provides academic support, a stronger recognition of indigenous culture support, wellbeing assistance, job preparation and mentoring to remote communities.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September 2021. For more information on the awards, visit: www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/excellenceawards
