Mining awards scooped in Australia

Rio Tinto in Australia showed outstanding form at the annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards in Sydney last month, with three businesses picking up four awards - including Mine Manager of the Year.

Northparkes Mines celebrated a huge night with general manager Craig Stegman winning the coveted Australian Mine Manager of the Year and the mine being highly commended as Metalliferous Mine of the Year.

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) won the Explorer of the Year Award for the discovery of the deep ore zone at the Ranger uranium mine, and Iron Ore's Tom Price mine was highly commended in the Excellence in Environmental Management Category.

The Northparkes management team decided to nominate Craig for his leadership and commitment in developing a core set of values and reducing injuries by over 70 per cent in 2008.

At ERA, during 2008, the exploration programme identified a significant mineral resource next to the existing Ranger 3 operating pit. Known as Ranger 3 Deeps, the deposit contains a JORC Code compliant mineral resource of 34,000 tonnes of contained uranium oxide, and ranks among the world's most significant uranium discoveries in recent years.

Tom Price's environmental management award was for use of dust monitoring systems to measure and prompt intervention when dust levels in the process plant become elevated.