Winners named at CME, AMMA awards

Local innovators and resources industry professionals, including Karara Mining, Barminco and Fortescue Metals Group, were recognised at two separate awards ceremonies held this week.

Five organisations and two rising stars received top honours at the Australian Mines and Metals Association’s Industry Awards, held at Fraser’s Kings Park.

Mining giant Fortescue Metals Group took home the indigenous employment and retention award for its ‘Trade Up’ program, The Mancala Group received the training and development award, and Compass Group won the workforce innovation award for its ‘Village Life’ program.

New Hope Group went home with the health and wellbeing award for its ‘Live Well, Work Well’ program, while the Australian Women in Resources Alliance award went to Australian Rail Track Corporation.

Viva Energy Australia turnaround execution coordinator Annie Martyn and Wirrpanda Foundation employment program manager Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls were joint winners in the young professional category.

“People are the backbone of the resources industry,” AMMA chief executive Steve Knott said.

“The leadership and innovation displayed by resources employers across workforce areas such as training, diversity and health and wellbeing is what underpins our industry as a pillar of the national economy.”

Meanwhile, Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia's Safety and Health Innovation Awards last night recognised innovative solutions to health and safety issues within the resources sector.

Karara Mining took the top prize in the engineering category for its micro-mist dust suppression system operating at the miner’s primary crusher run-of-mine bin, while Barminco received the top award in the systems category for its interactive virtual reality safety training system.

Karara was also crowned with the industry choice award, while Rio Tinto took the top spot in the people category for improving safety through breakthrough methodology and solutions.

CME deputy chief executive Nicole Roocke congratulated all winners and finalists who presented their innovations during an industry forum.

“This event promotes the application and sharing of innovation across the WA resources sector, as this is essential to ensuring continuous improvement in safety and health performance,” Ms Roocke said.

“These innovations are often developed on the shop floor and championed by the people directly involved on the ground.”