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Mount Isa, 7 March 2011
Xstrata is proud to announce that five of its employees have been recognised in the Queensland Resources Council’s Resources Awards for Women (RAW) breakfast ceremony on 8 March 2011.
The awards, which coincide with International Women’s Day, recognise the contribution and achievement of women in the resources sector and promote gender diversity within the mining industry.
Chief Operating Officer, Xstrata Copper North Queensland, Steve de Kruijff said that it was important to celebrate the achievements of women who have built successful careers in the male-dominated industry.
“These awards are an opportunity to place the spotlight on our women who have advanced within the resources sector,” said Mr de Kruijff.
“Women contribute to diversity in the workplace and provide wonderful role models for other women entering the industry.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was won by Robyn Wright while Amanda Humphrey was runner up in the Trade Award Category, both of whom work in the Copper Smelter at Mount Isa Mines.
The Operator Award was won by Kerrie-lea Nicholas who is based at Ernest Henry Mining, while Maryann Wipaki received runner up in the Overall Award.
“This year the QRC also launched its inaugural Gender Diversity Champion Award which recognises an individual, male or female, who has demonstrated outstanding effort to encourage women within the resources sector,” said Mr de Kruijff.
“We are pleased to announce that Dick Kostowski received this award for his work with Xstrata’s Vocational Skills Development Program, promoting equal opportunities in the mining industry for young men and women, including on the job training.
“Xstrata would like to congratulate all employees who nominated for the QRC awards and thank them for their dedication to the company and the mining industry.”
The five employees attended the QRC’s International Women’s Day breakfast this morning to accept their awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Robyn Wright, Mount Isa Mines
Robyn Wright received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her career in the Analytical Laboratory at Mount Isa Mines, where she is the Supervisor of Marketing and Environmental Analysis. Robyn first joined Mount Isa Mines in 1971 and has just celebrated 34 years of accrued service with the company, which is a remarkable achievement. Robyn’s role involves the development of sales analysis, exploration and geochemical analyses, and water and air emissions analysis. Robyn has recently set up an ongoing program to collect data to be used for the National Pollutant Inventory requirements.
Operator Award – Kerrie-lea Nicholas, Ernest Henry Mining
The Operator Category was won by Kerrie-lea Nicholas from Ernest Henry Mining who has been working as a Mining Technician in the open pit mine since November 2003. Kerrie-lea has a real passion for Health, Safety and Training and has been a Crew Safety Representative since 2005. She was also appointed as a Workplace Trainer / Assessor within the Mining Department in 2007 and enjoys supporting her workmates through these additional roles.
Gender Diversity Champion – Mr Dick Kostowski, Mount Isa Mines
The inaugural Gender Diversity Champion Award was won by Dick Kostowski for his contribution to Xstrata’s Vocational Skills Development Program which targets secondary schools in North West Queensland. These programs introduce students to opportunities and careers within the mining sector while providing on-the-job training.
Overall Award – runner up Maryann Wipaki, Mount Isa Mines
Maryann Wipaki, who is Xstrata Copper’s North Queensland Operations Safety and Health Manager, received runner up for the Overall Award for her key role in advising Xstrata Copper Management on health and safety matters and contributing to consistent yearly safety improvements.
Trade Award – runner up Amanda Humphrey, Mount Isa Mines
Amanda Humphrey, an Electrician within the Copper Smelter, received runner up in the Trade Award. Amanda’s primary role as a maintenance electrician involves performing preventive maintenance on plant equipment and attending breakdowns on occasion.
End
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Xstrata Contacts |
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Josh Euler |
Jemma Schweikert |
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Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor, Xstrata |
Community Relations Advisor, Xstrata |
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Telephone: |
+ 61 7 3295 7543 |
Telephone: |
+61 7 4744 2955 |
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Mobile: |
+61 435 659 987 |
Mobile: |
0412 126 510 |
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Email: |
jeuler@xstrata.com.au |
Email : |
vjschweikert@xstrata.com.au |
Notes to editors
ABOUT XSTRATA PLC
Xstrata is a global diversified mining group, listed on the London and Swiss Stock Exchanges. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Xstrata maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc with additional exposure to gold, cobalt, lead and silver. The Xstrata Group also comprises a growing platinum group metals business, iron ore projects, recycling facilities and a suite of global technology products, many of which are industry leaders. The Group's operations and projects span 20 countries.
ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER
Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with attributable mined production in 2010 of 913,500 tonnes of copper in cathodes and concentrates. The company is also one of the world’s largest producers of smelter and refined copper, including from third party materials.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the USA. Its operations and projects are administered through a regional divisional management structure, which ensures that critical decisions are taken close to the related businesses. It also has a recycling business (Xstrata Recycling) with plants in the United States and offices in Canada and Asia.
ABOUT XSTRATA ZINC
Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Xstrata Zinc is one of the world’s largest producers of zinc and one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Xstrata’s zinc and lead operations and exploration projects are located in Australia, Canada, Germany, Peru, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Xstrata Zinc’s operations in Spain comprise the San Juan de Nieva zinc smelter and the Arnao zinc semis plant in Asturias, and the Hinojedo roasting plant in Cantabria.
In Australia, operations comprise: the Mount Isa, George Fisher underground, Handlebar Hill open cut and Black Star open cut zinc-lead mines, zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and Bowen Coke Works in north Queensland; the McArthur River open pit zinc-lead mine, processing and loading facility in the Northern Territory; and the Lady Loretta zinc lead deposit in north-west Queensland.
In Canada, operations and exploration projects include the Brunswick zinc-lead mine and lead smelter in New Brunswick; 25% of the CEZ zinc smelter near Montreal; and the Perseverance zinc deposit in Quebec.
Xstrata Zinc also operates the Nordenham zinc smelter in northern Germany; the Northfleet lead refinery in the United Kingdom; and owns 33.75% of the Antamina mine in Peru.
Around half of all zinc currently consumed is used for galvanizing steel, which is an environmentally friendly method of protecting steel against corrosion. Zinc also finds application in the manufacture of die-cast alloys, brass and the production of zinc oxides and chemicals.
ABOUT XSTRATA MOUNT ISA MINES
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is a world class mining operation and a significant asset within the Xstrata global portfolio. Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is operated jointly by the Xstrata Copper and Xstrata Zinc business units.
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines processes and mines copper and zinc ore from the Mount Isa, Ernest Henry, George Fisher, Black Star, Handlebar Hill, Enterprise, and X41 ore bodies. Mining is both underground and open-cut. Products marketed by the company for export are: Copper Cathode, Copper Concentrate, Zinc Concentrate, Crude Lead and Tankhouse Slimes (a co-product of copper refining with significant copper, gold and silver content).
With a workforce of over 4,000 employees and contractors, Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is a significant contributor to the local economy, contributing nearly $2 billion to the local economy in 2009. In 2009-10 Xstrata Mount Isa Mines exported more than $2.3 billion worth of product, up 22 per cent on last year, and accounting for more than three quarters of total sales.
The company’s structure recognises a fully integrated marketing approach blending global marketing intelligence with local logistics, shipping, port and commercial expertise. Commercial and sales staff are located in Townsville and Brisbane.
The company’s key export markets include Canada, China, England, Germany, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.