NSW Mining Road and Rail Tour goes virtual in Dubbo

The 2013 NSW Mining Rail and Road Tour is in Dubbo today to test drive virtual dump trucks and see firsthand the contribution mining is making to the local community and the wider region.

The NSW Minerals Council CEO is crossing NSW by rail and road over the next two weeks, travelling from ‘West to West’ – following the supply chain from Broken Hill in Far Western NSW right through to the mining and manufacturing hub of Western Sydney.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee, Mayor of Dubbo Matthew Dickerson and RDA Orana CEO Felicity Taylor-Edwards will visit TAFE Western today to drive the virtual dump truck simulator and see mining equipment used to train heavy vehicle apprentices.

Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations in Orange has loaned to the TAFE on a long term basis a million dollar, 60 tonne, 10 meter long dump truck and another company New Gold Inc Peak Gold Mine in Cobar has donated a $100,000 underground loader to the College.

“The NSW mining industry is committed to supporting the next generation of world class miners and this state of the art training equipment provides local students with practical, hands-on experience with equipment not normally accessible outside an operating mine,” Mr Galilee said.

“This direct support from our member companies complements our efforts to support the miners of the future through programs like our successful NSW Mining Scholarships,” Mr Galilee continued.

“Participants receive $500 in Year 11, $1,000 in Year 12 and a further $2,000 in sponsorship if they successfully complete their first year of a minerals related tertiary course. Students are matched with a “mentor” from a local company, providing valuable contact with the industry.

“This year 25 students across Western NSW are being supported by NSW Minerals Council member companies, through $21,000 in funding, with a third going to young women. This year we will support a record 82 students around the State in the growing program.

“Modern mining offers diverse roles from science, geology and engineering, to a variety of trades and apprenticeships available to hard working and enthusiastic young people, and women in particular are encouraged to give the industry a go.

Mr Galilee also met with RDA Orana to discuss the development of a Centre for Sustainable Mining and Related Industries in Dubbo, a “virtual school” to connect students across the Western region.

“Dubbo is famous for its zoo and its sweeping country plains, but it is also known for its important minerals sector. We know mining contributes greatly to Dubbo and the surrounding region and there are exciting prospects here for future mining growth.

“A detailed economic survey of our members conducted by the University of Newcastle and Lawrence Consulting found that the 21 mining companies surveyed directly spent $239 million in the North Western Region of NSW in 2011/12.

“The research showed that mining companies directly provided $112 million in wages to 862 full time employees over this period and spent $127 million on goods and services. The estimated flow-on effect of this economic stimulus in terms of additional spending was $320.8 million.”

The NSW Minerals Council also brought its Voice for Mining initiative to Dubbo help give a greater grassroots voice to those in the community who support local mining.

“The new website, www.voiceformining.com.au, is a platform for those in Dubbo and throughout NSW who want to have their voice heard. They can visit the website and indicate what they might be prepared to do to support the industry,” Mr Galilee said.

“It might be writing a letter to a local newspaper, sending an email to local council or their local Member of Parliament, or simply be following us on Twitter and getting involved in the online conversation using the hashtag #NSWMining.”

Contact: Lindsay Hermes I lhermes@nswmining.com.au I 0409 758 734