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AUSTRALIAEnvironment Report: Geraldton plantachieves 94% reduction in C0 emissionsMaintenance Supervisor Peter Turner’s initiative not only helped the plant reap cost savings and reduction in CO emissions, but alsohelped conserve the natural resource where the demand for natural gas in Western Australia is on the rise.GMA Garnet’s processing facility in Geraldton, Australia has successfullyachieved its 2009 environmental objectives with an impressive94% reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from the rotarysand dryers with the installation of a combustion chamber.The combustion chamber enables natural gas fuel to mix with air without theinterference from the sand that is being fed into the dryer, thus allowing the fuelto combust as efficiently and cleanly as possible providing maximum heat perlitre of gas.Prior to the installation, the larger among the two dryers in the processingplant was without a combustion chamber and the mixing of sand and moisturewith gas caused fuel wastage and unnecessary gas emissions such as carbonmonoxide, a green house gas. Moreover, the combination of heat, moistureand gas emissions in the dryer barrel was causing corrosion from within andreplacements may be required every 18 months.In November 2009, the combustion chamber was fitted to the larger dryer andthe amount of CO emissions was recorded to have reduced by 94% (based onemissions of less than 30ppm, well below the acceptable limit of 300ppm). Inaddition, gas consumption was reduced by a whopping 20% equating to savingsof approximately AUD$90,000 per year while the dryer barrel would now havea possible life span of 10 years, a maintenance savings of AUD$30,000 per year.The inspiration of this solution came from Maintenance Supervisor PeterTurner. According to Peter, the gas shortage crisis due to the Apache gas plantexplosion in 2008 spurred him to investigate possible ways to make the dryermore efficient. Believing in his motto ‘Nothing is Impossible’, he succeeded inidentifying a cost-effective and green solution for the plant. Peter’s initiative notonly helped the plant reap cost savings and reduction in CO emissions, butalso helped conserve the natural resource where the demand for natural gasin Western Australia is on the rise. Peter joined the Group in September 1998as Plant Hand and was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor in October 2004.On the recycling front, cardboard cores from shrink wrap and liner rolls thatwere previously sent to landfills are now recyclable with the upgrade of thehydraulic cardboard press at the Meru recycling centre in Geraldton. This willhelp save approximately 44 cubic meters of landfill space per annum, a great winfor the local environment.Certified in ISO 14001:2004 (environmental certification) the ongoing greeninitiatives are part of GMA Garnet’s commitment in achieving environmentalobjectives and targets towards environmental conservation.By Wayne Dawson & Dean Schwarz, Geraldton06
staff news10 delightful years with the companyand still countingFor Marketing Coordinator Mary Fay, the past10 years with GMA Garnet in Australia hasbeen ‘delightful.’Mary who is based in Perth, joined the company on19th June 2000.“At this point in time, I feel we have the best teamworking here, everyone is dedicated, working hardand all aiming at the same goal – to stay at least 10years with the company,” Mary added.“All these years, Mary has shown dedication to herposition and always has both the company and thecustomer’s best interest in mind,” said AustralasianSales Manager Steve Clare.Colleagues find Plant Hand Kevin John Kelly apleasure to work with over the years. Kevin whojoined on 29th May 2000 is responsible for planthousekeeping and warehousing duties at theprocessing plant in Geraldton.“Kevin is well liked by all,” said Logistics AdministrationOfficer Donna Collis. What kept Kevin going allthese years are having a steady job with a good companyand great work crew.Mary and Kevin are among a group of more than15 employees in Australia who have been with theGroup between 10 to 30 years and still counting,namely; Dean Clarke (1981), Wayne Dawson(1986), Ian Reynolds (1987), Raymond Kirkpatrick(1990), Mark Bailey (1993), Ricky Williams (1994),Owen Craggs (1994), Dean Schwarz (1996),Donna Collis (1997), Edward Randall (1998), PeterTurner (1998), Clive Mccagh (1999) and MalcolmKalinowski (1999). The longest serving employeeis Martin Taylor who has been with the Groupfor 39 years.By Stephanie Cheong, PerthMary FayKevin Kelly“More than 15 employees in Australia havebeen with the Group between 10 to 30 years.”Dry Plant team are the champs!The The winning winning team team from from left: left: Aaron, Aaron, Geoff, Geoff, Lyn Lyn (front) (front) and and Kev. Kev.Competition was intense with tightbowling from the final two teams asscores were locked at one into thefinal end.Supporters were offering lots of adviceand encouragement to their teams.What was missing from the crowd weresome vuvuzela!All held their breath as the last bowl wasreleased. For the first time, the Dry Plantteam won the GMA Lawn Bowl Cupwith a score of 2-1, a very close resultwhich reflected the high calibre of bothteam’s bowlers.The 2010 annual GMA Wet Plant versusDry Plant lawn bowls tournament washeld at the Northampton Bowling Club inJune this year with six teams representingthe Wet Plant and five teams from theDry Plant.Defeated by the Wet Plant teams for thelast two years, the Dry Plant teams werekeen to redeem themselves, going as faras having ‘closed’ training sessions androping in an import from the Perth officeto boost their chances.The competition ended with a delicioussmorgasbord dinner and dancing afterwards.All had an enjoyable time together.Teams in the finals: Wet Plant Team: Sarge(Skipper), Sandy, Yoddy and Rowdy andDry Plant Team: Geoff (Skipper), Kev, Lynand the import, Aaron.By Dean Schwarz, GeraldtonIn MemoriamThe Group remembers the passing of two employees - Bill Jacobsen and Jed Suckling from GMA Garnet in Geraldton, AustraliaMr Bill Jacobsen passed away on 26th February 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Bill joined the Group as Plant Operator for the Port Gregoryoperations on 8th November 1999 and was later promoted to Leading Hand. He was assigned the responsibility of Mine Safety Officer in the middleof 2008. Bill was well liked and respected by fellow colleagues and had a great sense of humour. He was reliable and conscientious and loved fishing.Mr Jed Suckling passed away at a tender age of 23 in an unfortunate country road accident on 16th April 2010. Jed joined the Group as Plant Operatoron 8th August 2008. A ute enthusiast, he was well liked and was always spotted with a cowboy hat and even wanted to wear his hard hat on top of hiscowboy hat when he first joined the Group.Bill and Jed will be dearly remembered by employees and friends in the Group.By Martin Taylor & Dean Clark, Geraldton07
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