The Board has a responsibility to ensure that a compliance program is in place and operating effectively (Australian Institute of Company Directors Course, 2011). A compliance program is an essential component of the company. The program includes: Policies and procedures, which ensure…
Building a Culture of Environmental Responsibility: A Call for Leadership
The coexistence of those with environmental interests and those with mining interests is often perceived to be like “chalk and cheese.” While that may have been the case 10 years ago, it is no longer the case now. Australians naturally…
What Does Reconciliation Mean To You?
As reconciliation week draws to an end, Rachael Wedd, explores the meaning of reconciliation. Reconcile – the Collins English dictionary definition has five elements to it: to make no longer opposed; cause to aquiesce in something unpleasant; to become…
Considerations for Compliance with the National Greenhouse Emissions Reporting Act
Companies that exceed specified facility or corporate emissions thresholds are required under the National Greenhouse Emissions Reporting Act 2008 (NGER Act) to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption/production. There are considerable penalties for the company as well as individuals (i.e.…
Geologists Going Beyond Geology
You all know that a geologist is “a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth, as well as the processes and history that has shaped it” (Wikipedia, 23 June 2012). I believe, however, that those…
Biomimicry
This application of science is one that I am very, very excited about…… Biomimicry is the examination of nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems (referenced from Wikipedia).…
Seeing The Forest For The Trees
The annual Sustainability Report goes beyond a glossy booklet filled with feel-good stories. The report itself should be of a certain standard and reveal information in a transparent manner to its audience: Satisfy the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard…
If You Fall – GET UP – The Difference Between Success and Failure
The experts tell us that you must fail many times in order to succeed. Those that succeed don’t let failure stop them, ~ when they fall, they get right back up again, ~ they don’t blame themselves, ~ they don’t…
Got a Problem: Call on Help
In this profession, we simply don’t have the knowledge to provide answers to every environmental problem that comes along. I for example, cannot tell you the methodology for determining the boundary of a palaeochannel. The fact that it is a…
Let’s Stop Bullying In The Workplace
Bullying (in some shape or form) is prevalent in the mining industry, especially on mine sites themselves but also in the corporate offices. The time has come to put a stop to it! After having attended an International…