Northparkes Mines - the fourth largest producer of copper in Australia - celebrated 20 years of mining operations on Friday.
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The ceremony was attended by Anthony Roberts, MP, Minister for Resources and Energy, John Cobb MP, Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, MP, Member for Orange and Parkes Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.
They were joined by Northparkes’ owner and operator, China Molybdenum Co., Ltd (CMOC), and Joint Venture partners, Sumitomo Mining Metal Oceania and Sumitomo Corporation – who have been part of the Northparkes Joint Venture since its inception.
More than 250 people joined in the celebrations, the majority being Northparkes’ employees.
There were also representatives from the local community including the mine’s neighbours, members of the Northparkes Wiradjuri Executive Committee, the mining industry, contractors and suppliers.
CEO of the NSW Minerals Council, Stephen Galilee was also present.
Managing Director Northparkes Mines, Ms Stef Loader, was MC for the impressive ceremony.
“Northparkes’ history is a testament to countless achievements by thousands of people who have worked tirelessly to create Northparkes as we know it today,” she said.
“We started out as an open pit mining operation, and then became the first underground block cave miner in Australia; we built our processing plant to produce gold bars and then copper concentrate; we embraced automation – particularly in underground operations – and along the way we became a proud farmer, “ she said
“At the heart of Northparkes is our commitment to Zero Harm Operations.
“While we’ve described this in many different ways over the years and it has evolved into the way we work today, it is with great pride that all of the 550 people who work here today stand by the commitment we made 20 years ago.”
CMOC’s Overseas CEO, Kalidas Madhavpeddi, said CMOC was delighted the 20th anniversary year was occurring under its leadership.
“We are excited about the future of Northparkes and the opportunities this will present,” he said.
“The mine life is secured until at least 2032 with 110 million tonnes of reserves.
“In the time Northparkes has been part of the CMOC team, it has already had a very strong and positive impact on our business.
“Given the quality of our employees and resources, and what we stand for in terms of Zero Harm, I am confident this will continue,” he said.
Minister for Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts, unveiled a plaque with Ms Loader to commemorate 20 years of mining operations.
“Companies that work with and support the community, care for the environment, care for their workers and lead by example, are always welcome in our state,” he said.
“Northparkes is a shining example of how mining can contribute, by not only co-existing with agriculture, the environment and local communities, but actually helping regions thrive.
“I actually direct any enquiries we receive about mining and co-existing with communities here to Northparkes.
“Northparkes is an important and generous company contributing to the local and NSW economy and I congratulate the operation’s management and workers on 20 strong years of mining.”
Parkes Mayor Ken Keith reflected on the huge contribution the mine has made to the Parkes community in so many different ways.
He also spoke of the decision made 20 years ago as the consenting authority for the mine not to allow a fly-in, fly-out’ operation.
“This has benefited not only Parkes but Northparkes as well,” he said.
A highlight of the ceremony was the addresses by five employees with more than 60 years service between them.
Rob Cunningham (who started in 1994), Andrew Hubbard (1996), Kirk McGinnes (2000), Esther Bruce (2005) and Sanjeewa Senanayake (2012) spoke passionately about what the mine has done for them and the opportunities it provides as a ‘wonderful workplace.”
The five were later given the honour of cutting the 20th birthday cake.
Stephen Galilee, CEO of the NSW Minerals Council, later commended Northparkes for its longstanding contribution to the community.
“For two decades, Northparkes Mines has helped the Parkes region grow.
“Not only has it delivered hundreds of jobs, and significant economic strength to the local economy, it's also contributed to the social fabric of the region.
“Over the last 20 years, thousands of Northparkes Mines employees have called the Parkes region home and become an integral part of the local community,” he said.
The celebrations included the burial of a time capsule in the Wiradjuri garden, led by members of the Wiradjuri Executive Committee.
Minister for Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts