Thiess Receives Highly Commended - Minex Safety Award for Collinsville Coal Mine

Issue Date:  18 September 1997
Issued By:  Thiess Contractors Pty Limited

Thiess Contractors, operating the Collinsville Coal Mine in Queensland on behalf of MIM, has been awarded a Highly Commended Minex Award for excellence in Occupational Health and Safety by the Minerals Council of Australia.

The National Awards were presented at a gala dinner held at the Annual Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference in Yeppoon on Wednesday, 10th September 1997.

The prestigious Minex Awards, now in their third year, have become the most sought-after industry recognition of companies that excel in Occupational Health and Safety management.

Thiess Queensland Mining Manager, Mr Murray Fox said the Highly Commended award was valuable recognition of the company's commitment to safety management and a well deserved thanks to the Thiess team for achieving excellent safety outcomes.

"Our Collinsville team of approximately 145 personnel, has been lost time injury free since Thiess commenced operations in July 1996," Mr Fox said.

"A real sense of pride and ownership has been adopted by the Collinsville team towards the success of the project, which sports the motto "Safety, Efficiency, Productivity, Viability".

This is the third consecutive year Thiess has received a highly commended award from the Minerals Council of Australia. Thiess was also the first "contractor" to receive the Award, which is open to all mining projects throughout Australia.

Thiess was the first contractor to receive a Minex Award with the Oaky Creek Highwall Mining project that received Highly Commended awards in 1995 and 1996.

"Our increasing presence within the Queensland mining industry is recognition of our commitment to excellence in safety management, "Mr Fox said.

For the past 12 months Thiess Queensland mining operations has achieved 1.4 million manhours with a LTIFR of zero for surface operations and a LTIFR of 2.9 including underground operations, figures significantly below the industry average LTIFR of 21.

Accepting the award on behalf of Thiess was Thiess Queensland Safety Manager, Mick Nash and Collinsville Coal Mine Safety Manager, Ken Esson.

Released by Thiess Contractors Pty Limited ACN 010 221 486

Further information:
Mr Murray Fox
Queensland Mining Manager 0418 880 924

Ms Barbara Ferry-Smith
Communications Manger 0419 647 841