Construction full steam ahead
Works on site at Thunderbird are rapidly progressing with construction now 85% complete as we head towards practical completion which remains on target for the end of 2023 and delivering first products in the first quarter of 2024.
Construction of the Wet Concentrate Plant (WCP) and Concentrate Upgrade Plant (CUP) is progressing on schedule, with spirals, wet high intensity magnet separators (WHIMS), pipework installation and electrical and mechanical components well advanced. The tailings storage facility and stormwater storage ponds are also close to completion.
Our waste mining contractor, Carey Mining, has mobilised equipment to site and is already preparing to start development of the Starter Pit which will supply the crucial first ore into the processing plant later in the year.
Mining contractor Piacentini is progressing manufacture of the Dry Mining Unit at their Picton facility ahead of scheduled assembly and transport to site.
Nursery sows seeds for success
Construction of our onsite nursery infrastructure has recently been completed with our rangers ready to start collecting seed and propagating the first plants. The nursery is a pilot program designed to help support on-site rehabilitation processes while also providing potential for economic opportunities through private sales to key customers around the region.
It’s a great chance to promote seed production as a viable alternative to wild harvesting, and to support economic development opportunities in collaboration with the Joombarn Buru Native Title Holders.
We’re working with State Government’s Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative which has been created to support new and innovative enterprises including seed production areas.
Construction scrap metal supports PCYC
Matt Gordon from our construction contractor GR Engineering Services recently handed over a cheque for nearly $4,000 to Broome PCYC Centre Manager Claire. Funds were raised through the sale of scrap metal from Thunderbird construction works, and will go towards funding the PCYC’s safeSPACE program, a diversionary program for vulnerable and at-risk youth.
In Broome the program offers educational learning onsite at PCYC in conjunction with Broome Senior High School, as well as after school and holiday programs and activities like basketball but also practical things like getting a haircut! Importantly safeSPACE gives youngsters a chance to talk to one another and to centre staff and access a wider support network.
Employment Opportunity
Training Advisor
We’re looking for a site-based Training Advisor to oversee all our training and assessment needs. With an attractive 4 days on, 3 days off roster DIDO from Broome or Derby, you’ll be responsible for developing training needs analysis and site training plans; designing and delivering internal training packages to meet business needs; conducting induction and orientation workshops; mentoring and working with our business partners to identify shared training opportunities.
Ideally, you’ll hold a Cert IV in Training and Assessment, resources industry experience and practical experience in delivering training and assessments, and technical knowledge of mobile plant.
For more information or to apply, visit our website.
What’s in a role – Process Operator
Over the next few newsletters, we’ll be focusing on one of the roles that will be available at Thunderbird over the life of the mine, starting with Process Operator.
Process Operators can work anywhere in the processing plant, including the Wet Concentrator Plant, Concentrator Upgrade Plant and the Control Room, and are responsible for the safe and effective day-to-day operation of the plant.
Operators work safely as a team to achieve key production outputs, being the final products destined for shipment to our customers, and the waste material that is returned to the mining void for rehabilitation.
The role also includes plant housekeeping, equipment monitoring and sample collecting duties which helps make sure everything runs smoothly and problems are quickly identified and resolved.
The role also includes plant housekeeping, equipment monitoring and sample collecting duties which helps make sure everything runs smoothly and problems are quickly identified and resolved.
All of our site-based roles are Bus In Bus Out (BIBO) from Broome or Derby, and Process Operators generally work an 8 days on / 6 days off / 7 nights on / 7 days off site roster, so you’ll have plenty of time to be home with the family and to enjoy the Kimberley lifestyle!
Jobs Fairs highlight employment opportunities
At the beginning of May we held Jobs Fairs in Broome and Derby along with our key contractors, Carey Mining, Piacentini, Campbell Transport as well as local Job Service Providers. The fairs gave people an opportunity to come and have a chat to our team about employment pathways, positions vacant and what it’s like to work at KMS.
The fairs concluded with the quarterly community update where Stuart our CEO gave a presentation on the progress of construction works on site and the next steps towards completion. Stuart was also interviewed on 6DBY and Goolarri Media to promote the fairs and talk about project progress and was particularly pleased to be interviewed on 6DBY by Sunimah who was one of our first work ready program participants.
Have your say – community consultation underway
Focus Groups
A series of focus groups will take place in Broome from 6 to 10 June to inform our Traffic Impact Assessment and Traffic Management Plan required to support the application to Main Roads for the use of Performance Based Standard (PBS) 60 metre road trains.
Click the following link for more information and to register for a focus group.
Separate sessions will be held for local business, residents, community organisations and the general community.
Online Survey
An online survey is also open now until 4 June for residents living in the Broome Road / Gubinge Road corridor. Click the following link to complete the survey.
Bilby Offset Update
Further to the update provided in our last newsletter, we finalised and submitted the updated Greater Bilby Offset Plans for State and Commonwealth approval in April. It is expected to take up to four months for the regulators to approve the updated Greater Bilby Offset Plans.
In the meantime, we’ll continue to discuss initial Offset Project concepts included in the updated Greater Bilby Offset Plans put forward to government with key stakeholders, including external organisations with the capacity to deliver feral cat related land management activities and research projects on the Dampier Peninsula.
Once the updated Greater Bilby Offset Plans are approved by both the State and Commonwealth, we’ll select suitable external delivery partners to implement the initial offset project related to feral cat monitoring and control on the Dampier Peninsula.
If you would like any further information on our projects or any of the articles in this newsletter, please email community@kmsands.com.au