Solid Energy responds to further safety allegations

Solid Energy responds to further safety allegations

Solid Energy will hold a public meeting (open to the media) in Huntly tomorrow for its staff and stakeholders at 4pm at the Twin Lakes Centre, 63 Rotowaro Road, Huntly. Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder and Chief Operating Officer, Barry Bragg as well as local managers will discuss their confidence in the safety regime at Huntly East Mine.

Solid Energy says it has spent the last 24 hours talking with its Huntly East Mine staff and other stakeholders in an attempt to get independent confirmation of allegations made through the media about the safety of the mine.

It has also received further queries from the media and stakeholders and responds as follows.

Solid Energy Chief Operating Officer, Barry Bragg says that the company remains very confident that the mine is operating safety. The company has been unable to find evidence to support any of the allegations but is encouraging staff to talk to the Engineers Union, elected site safety representatives, mine management or the Department of Labour if they have concerns or information. No one has done so to date.

Safety is our Priority: At Solid Energy safety comes before production. Mr Bragg says that the company never compromises safety. The company actively encourages staff to report safety issues and anyone has the power to stop work if they believe an activity is unsafe. If the company receives information it will act on it.

Independent Audit: Early this year Huntly East Mine was subject to an independent audit conducted for the Department of Labour as part of an audit of all underground mines ordered by Cabinet. The audit found that there was no evidence that a dangerous situation was imminent at any of the country’s four underground mines. The auditors recognised that some aspects of the mine’s safety related systems were particularly good. The company has already systematically addressed the areas identified for improvement.

Ventilation: The mine’s ventilation system, based on an Australian two-fan design, was installed when the mine was built in 1978. It was been extensively overhauled and upgraded since then. The system is designed so that should the fan stall temporarily due to sudden wind gusts, the second fan will maintain the integrity of the mine ventilation. This has happened on a few occasions in the last year.
The mine has a qualified ventilation officer and the company has just appointed a National Ventilation Engineer. The company is currently building a new $30 million ventilation system to service the northern extension of the mine.

Staffing: Huntly East Mine employs approximately 220 staff and contractors. Solid Energy’s mineworkers are highly sought after by the competitive Australian mining industry. Its training programme is mature and comprehensive with both classroom and on the job training. The independent audit noted that there was “extensive training” undertaken at the mine and that “this is demonstrated by management’s commitment to EXITO gas tickets for everyone on site and the construction of a new training centre.”

Over the last 12 months the turnover at the mine has been 18% as a number of mineworkers have been attracted to work in the Australian resource boom. Solid Energy’s on-going recruitment and training programme maintains a one to one ratio of qualified to trainee mineworkers, a ratio that has not changed over the last seven years. The mine also has full complement of tradespeople to support the underground operation. The last intake of 15 trainee position attracted 300 applications; the vast majority form the Waikato area. A qualified mine worker earns approximately $85 - $90,000 per annum including bonuses.

© Scoop Media