SACOME Annual Report 2010-11

PRESIDENT
Some things change – some just plain do not!
In February 2011, long serving State Minister
for Mineral Resources Development, Mr Paul
Holloway, stepped down from this ministry
having served with distinction ever since his
appointment in March 2002. Mr Holloway
presided over the outstandingly successful State
Government Plan for Accelerating Exploration
(PACE) which has helped transform the mineral
resources sector in South Australia.
The new minister, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis
MP, is determined to continue the extraordinary
growth of our sector and this year we
commenced working with him on this mutual
goal.
The proposed expansion of the fabulous Olympic
Dam mine will change the State’s mineral
resources sector (for the better) for decades to
come, with the lodging of the supplementary
draft EIS in December last year.
OZ Minerals acquisition of the Carrapateena
copper-gold deposit in the Gawler Craton and it’s
development will also bring change.
Our burgeoning iron ore sector is bringing
change to the sector as will our evolving coal
(and coal by-products), hot rocks/geothermal,
and the many other mineral resource
developments.
I also sense a favourable change in sentiment
towards the use of nuclear energy.
What then hasn’t changed?
Land access issues continue to be near “top of
the list” of challenges.
These challenges are described on page 14
together with our actions to reduce their impact.
Certain government departments and certain
members of the public continue to believe
mining companies are awash with money.
A SACOME study (almost complete) shows
that for a range of average mining operations,
precious little cash is left over after payment
of taxes, royalties, operating costs, exploration,
capital expenditure, community costs etc.
The perception just hasn’t changed, but it
must be corrected.
The Chamber addressed many other
challenges and issues during the year under
review, which have been reported on in this
publication.
The SACOME team is now well established
and continues to function well in its role
of serving the industry. On behalf of the
council and myself, I extend a very sincere
appreciation to our dedicated team for their
outstanding contributions under the
excellent leadership of our Chief Executive,
Jason Kuchel.
Thanks are also due to our Councillors and
voluntary committees for their continuing
contribution to our effectiveness.
Special thanks are also owed to Stephanie
Walker, who retired after heading up our
Indigenous Relations activities for nine years.
Stephanie did an outstanding job and was
respected and admired by all who knew her.
Her contributions to a whole host of
negotiated Indigenous Land Use Agreements
(ILUAs) will continue to serve the industry well
for years to come.
John Roberts
President
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annual report 2011
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