Mine to Market November-December 2012 - Mount Isa Mines

Zinc X-Men
win battle
Xstrata Zinc
Character
Awards
Community
Xstrata Zinc’s X-Men proved their on-field nouse
once again, taking out the 2012 Battle of the Mines
for the second year in a row.
The fiercely contested rugby league carnival is hosted each
year by the Rotary Club of Cloncurry to raise funds for
charity. This year, proceeds went to the North Queensland
Helicopter Rescue Service.
Five north west Queensland teams travelled to Cloncurry
to compete including the Ernest Henry Dingoes, MICO Devils,
Cannington Cougars, Cudeco Eagles and reigning champs the
Xstrata Zinc X-Men.
The first game of the day saw a hard fought match of defence
between the MICO Devils and the Cudeco Eagles with neither
team allowing the other to cross for a try. This changed in the
second game with the X-Men flexing their muscles, winning
10 points to six against the Ernest Henry Dingoes.
Bets were on between ‘friendly’ Xstrata Copper rivals, the
MICO Devils and Ernest Henry Dingoes, with Myles Johnston,
General Manager Ernest Henry Mining, getting the better of
his predecessor Mike Westerman, General Manager MICO
(and former General Manager Ernest Henry Mining). The MICO
General Manager paid a high price for the MICO Devils crushing
defeat, with the terms of his losing bet forcing Mike to wear an
Ernest Henry Dingoes supporters shirt at the MICO morning
meeting the following Monday.
This September, Mark Day, Concentrator Maintainer
Zinc-Lead Concentrator, was presented with an
Xstrata Zinc Character Award for an initiative
which has significantly improved operational
performance and resulted in cost savings of about
$80,000 per year.
Mark’s idea of installing a fire retardant wedge
in the BM04 feed conveyor’s brackets now prevents
rocks from wedging in between the conveyor belt idler
and brackets.
The solution has shown a good wear life and has
been identified as significantly reducing costs related to
conveyor downtime and cleaning labour.
Mal Barr, Manager Engineering Zinc-Lead
Concentrator commends Mark on his cost
saving initiative.
“This solution is a tremendous illustration of Mark’s
commitment to excellence and the improvement of our
business,” Mal says.
“In addition to its application in the Zinc Lead
Concentrator, the improvement has the potential to
be implemented across other maintenance areas of
our business. This will assist us to further minimise
production down time and equipment damage.
“Please join me in congratulating Mark on this
well deserved honour.”
Spectators and supporters were treated to an
action packed day of rugby league with the best
performing team, Xstrata Zinc’s X-Men, winning
three of their four games and taking top place on
the ladder.
The remaining spot in the grand final against the X-Men was
decided in the final game of the day when the Ernest Henry
Dingoes took on the Cudeco Eagles in a battle for second place.
After prevailing 16 points to eight in their semi-final clash, the
Eagles couldn’t carry the momentum into the grand final with the
X-men winning 22 points to eight to claim the title.
Pictured left:
1. Xstrata Zinc X-men vs Cudeco Eagles
2. MICO Devils vs Zinc X-men
3. MICO Devils vs Ernest Henry Dingoes
4. Cudeco Eagles vs Ernest Henry Dingoes
5. Cannington Cougars vs Ernest Henry Dingoes
Mark Day (centre) receives his Character Award from Adam
Henshall (left), Supervisor Maintenance, Zinc Lead Concentrator
and Mal Barr, Manager Engineering Zinc-Lead Concentrator
mine to market
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