SUSTAINABILITY
Upliftment
in action
SUSTAINABILITY
Solar, wind renew
Gold Fields balance sheet
by Dominic Piper sites now are pushing my team to deliver more and there is
competition between the operations,” he said.
Koerting said much of the success of the project could be
old Fields Ltd’s push to be a gold industry leader in
attributed to senior management’s commitment to their
Gsustainability performance was solidified in June with the
implementation.
announcement of a new ESG-backed $US1.2 billion revolving
“The company has supported the risk profile of these projects
credit facility.
for a long time and a lot of success can be attributed from the
The credit facility is linked to the company’s sustainability KPIs,
top down,” he said. “Gold Fields has always been a global
with Gold Fields benefiting from a lower lending rate depending
leader in sustainable mining.”
on the fulfilment of the KPIs, which are linked to Gold Fields’ own
While carbon abatement and latterly cash costs have been
2030 ESG targets of improving female workforce representation
a clear driver of the switch to renewables, Koerting said the
from the current 23%, increasing the amount of reused/recycled
company had found some unexpected consequences.
water from the 75% achieved in 2022 and abatement of Scope 1
and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 30% and absolute emissions “I’ve heard Stuart [Mathews, vice president Gold Fields
by 50% through renewable energy projects. Australasia] talk about the risk profile and cash costs, but I
don’t think they foresaw the other benefits, particularly around
“This is Gold Fields’ first sustainability-linked loan and relates
attracting people to work for us, that was unexpected,” he
to our second strategic pillar, namely to ‘build on our leading
said.
commitment to ESG’. It illustrates how ESG has become fully
integrated into our business,” chief financial officer Paul Schmidt “In interviews with graduate electrical engineers, they ask
said. about renewables straightaway. It is an ambition for their
career to be involved in the energy transition and many of
The loan comes at a time when Gold Fields’ Australian business
them are quite passionate about it. It gives us an advantage
unit is preparing to rollout more renewable energy across its
in recruitment.”
five-mine portfolio.
With the rapidly developing technology and unexpected
James Koerting, manager energy for Gold Fields Australia,
benefits, Gold Fields appears likely to continue rolling out
told GMJ his team was proud to play such an integral role in
renewables projects.
solidifying Gold Fields’ ESG credentials and therefore the new
sustainability-linked loan. “We are in a transition stage now,” Koerting said. “We have
put our decarbonisation strategy to market and obtained
“The team is proud of the contribution we are making to the
finance but we have still not completed a feasibility study
Gold Fields business,” he said. “For a long time, energy was
to show these projects are justified on a standalone basis,
considered to be a supporting service because the company
that we are not just doing it without visibility around carbon
is in the mining business, but our role has increased as ESG
footprint reduction and financial impact.”
becomes a larger component of day-to-day mining. So, being
part of that is quite rewarding.” As the most experienced renewables project developer in
Australian gold mining, does Koerting expect every operation
Koerting has led implementation of Gold Fields’
to have a renewables component within the decade?
decarbonisation strategy in Australia, playing a leading
role in the first renewables project at Agnew (18MW wind, “I’m not sure every project will have renewables, you need
4MW solar and a 13MW/4MWh battery storage system) the balance sheet to do it,” he explained. “Smaller mines
and subsequent developments at Granny Smith (8MW solar don’t have the means for capital, but looking at the mid-tier
farm has been built along with a 2MW/1MWh battery) and and majors miners, it is absolutely on and it is becoming
the Gruyere JV with Gold Road Resources Ltd (12MW of imperative. Governments and financiers are asking about
solar and a 4.4MW/4.4MWh battery). emissions and your ESG profile. So, there are lots of external
influences on the question of renewables beyond the value
Koerting admitted even he had been taken aback by the rate
proposition for individual projects.”
of Gold Fields’ investment in renewables.
“Mine managers have always been risk averse to new
technology but whereas before it was uncertainty, some
Gold Fields’ new $US1.2 billion sustainability-linked credit
facility comes after the company committed to major renewables
projects such as the 18MW wind, 4MW solar and 13MW/4MWh
battery storage system at Agnew
SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT
Proudly taking
The Perth Mint
Australian - Refined to
precious metals
perfection
to the world for
120 years
Through our trusted products and services we develop the
markets and create the demand for Australian precious metals.
From refining and assaying Australian gold to manufacturing
bullion bars and coins, and offering secure storage solutions
and innovative digital gold platforms, we’re making gold and
silver accessible assets to own.
A sponsor of the
Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum for 20 years.
perthmint.com/refine
MINT0128B-DPS_420x297mm Perth Mint DiggersDealers col press.indd 1 7/6/19 1:34 pm
It may have a history dating reliability and integrity.
back more than 120 years In the modern era, however, stakeholders, investors
and customers require so much more and in recent
but innovation remains at years The Perth Mint has bolstered its ESG and
technological credentials.
Proudly taking Proudly taking reputation. Sustainability at its core
the heart of The Perth Mint’s
The Perth Mint
Last year The Perth Mint launched its inaugural
sustainability commitment which articulates the
Last year, The Perth Mint distributed pure gold, silver
Australian Australian - Refined to and platinum bullion bars and coins to a staggering vision “to be the sustainability benchmark in the guidelines presented by the London Bullion Market
precious metals industry”.
130 countries and over 40,000 customers. With a
reputation built on more than a century of refining
The strategy was accompanied by a sustainability
and minting excellence, the mark of The Perth Mint
report that highlighted the Mint’s sustainability
Association and the Organisation for Economic
precious metals precious metals stands as a seal of quality and assurance. journey and its efforts around seven core ESG topics Cooperation and Development and customers are
– safety and wellbeing; anti-money laundering and
In a mining and investment world undergoing
assured that gold and silver passing through the
seismic change, The Perth Mint has recognised it
counter terrorism financing; waste and hazardous
perfection
refinery is from trustworthy sources and is certified
must innovate to remain relevant. New high-
materials management, ethical and sustainable
under the international Conflict-Free Smelter
supply chain; ethics and values; cyber, data and
tech equipment, an expanded silver facility and
to the world for to the world for a benchmark sustainability vision have all been privacy; and air emissions and quality. Program.
introduced to meet new consumer and investor
It is even more reason, says chief sustainability
The Perth Mint in 2022
expectations and retain its place as the gold mining
officer Stephanie Ward why mining clients can
industry’s most trusted partner.
In May, a new Chief Executive Officer, Jason Waters,
benefit from the learnings and experience of The
120 years120 years The Perth Mint is Australia’s oldest operating Perth Mint’s journey as it works on targets across took the helm at The Perth Mint. Mr Waters
joined The Perth Mint with more than 30 years of
precious metals enterprise. Established in 1899
the ESG spectrum.
experience in the Western Australian energy sector,
– amid the early days of the Western Australian
“Miners who choose to work with us have the
having led Government Trading Enterprises Synergy
gold rush – the Mint continues to operate from
benefit of working with an organisation that is
its original premises in East Perth but is now a
vertically integrated group, operating across the striving to be a benchmark in sustainability and and Verve Energy.
Mr Waters is only the fourth CEO since the
transparent reporting,” she says. “They have access
entire precious metals value chain in refining, to our sustainability performance. So, mid-tier and organisation was established by the Gold
manufacturing, investment products and services, junior miners get the benefit of our relentless focus Corporation Act in 1987 – testament to the legacy
Through our trusted products and services we develop the Through our trusted products and services we develop the and storage for customers and stakeholders on sustainability whether it be environmental, and stability of The Perth Mint.
around the world.
social or governance issues.”
This year, with new equipment and technologies
markets and create the demand for Australian precious metals. markets and create the demand for Australian precious metals. At the heart of The Perth Mint’s standing is its Among the initiatives is working with a leading- soon to be installed will see The Perth Mint continue
position as the world’s only government-owned edge technology specialist to develop the world’s to grow as a global leader and reliable partner in the
and guaranteed precious metals enterprise and first mine-to-market ethical gold supply chain precious metals sector.
From refining and assaying Australian gold to manufacturing From refining and assaying Australian gold to manufacturing for clients and stakeholders. This provides comfort assurance solution – trueGold. As the official forum awards sponsor for 21 years,
bullion bars and coins, and offering secure storage solutions bullion bars and coins, and offering secure storage solutions and commercial certainty from its S&P AA+ rated Additionally, the organisation is investigating a The Perth Mint greatly values the opportunity to
Government guarantee.
and innovative digital gold platforms, we’re making gold and and innovative digital gold platforms, we’re making gold and The Perth Mint also boasts one of the largest carbon offset initiative for transportation and is in join its many refinery clients in showcasing Western
Australia’s precious metals industry. Make sure you
discussions with partners to bring its sustainability
and best equipped laboratories in the southern vision to fruition. come and visit us as Stand 78, to see what’s on the
silver accessible assets to own.silver accessible assets to own. hemisphere. Accredited by the London Bullion horizon for The Perth Mint.
Market Association, The Perth Mint has some of Supply chain due diligence systems and procedures
are compliant with the responsible gold and silver
the highest standard of bullion analysis accuracy,
1899 – The Perth 1940-64 – The Perth 1966-73 – Australian 2000s – 8,400 sqm 2018 – Gold goes digital
Mint opened on 61st Mint produced currency flips to decimal, manufacturing and with digital buying,
anniversary of Queen hundreds of millions of 829 million 2c coins and 26 commercial facility selling and trading
Victoria’s Coronation Australia pennies million 1c coins produced opens next to historic platforms released by
by The Perth Mint Perth Mint in East Perth. The Perth Mint
1899-1931 – 106 million 1957 – Striking the 1987 – Gold Corporation 2012 – The Perth Mint 2021 – The Perth
gold sovereigns and purest gold: Six nines was created and Australian Kangaroo Mint’s Commitment
735,000 half sovereigns (999.999 parts of gold Australia’s official bullion One Tonne gold coin to Sustainability
produced per thousand) became coin programme began was awarded the title launched
The Perth Mint’s of ‘largest coin’ by the
A sponsor of the A sponsor of the
benchmark standard Guinness World Records
Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum for 20 years.Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum for 20 years.
perthmint.com/refineperthmint.com/refine
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If you too want to fast track a gold discovery
SUSTAINABILITY please contact us to learn more.
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Pilbara Minerals has launched Pilbara Minerals’ managing director Dale consultation with the traditional authori-
a new renewable energy and Henderson, who attended the event, said ty approximately 18 months ago to jointly
lithium battery project Strelley the Strelley Community’s remote, off-grid lo- identify pressing needs in the communi-
community in the Pilbara region cation meant it was required to generate its ty. The facility consists of a delivery room
of Western Australia. own power supply. (wheel chair, observation lamp, delivery
“Like many remote communities, the Strel- bed), toilet and shower, sluice room and re-
The Strelley community –between Port ley Community relies on diesel-fuelled pow- covery room with two beds.
Hedland and Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoo- er generators for electricity supply, which is The immediate need identified was that
ra lithium operation – is home to the oldest, costly and emissions intensive,” Henderson of expecting women, who often were found
continually operating, independent Aboriginal said. giving birth enroute to the nearest hospi-
community school in Australia. “This solar power and lithium battery sys- tal, which is 90 kms away, part of which is
The project was jointly supported by Pil- tem will deliver environmental benefits and through rough terrain on a gravel road. With
bara Minerals and Pacific Energy and was a big cost saving to the Strelley Community, about 13 births per month, any of which
delivered in partnership with the Strelley freeing up funds for further education pur- could be an emergency the unit will go a
Community and comprises a 44.2kW of so- poses, so it’s a win-win all round. long way in saving lives – curbing maternal
lar PV (96 solar panels) and 144kWh lithium “I would like to acknowledge Terry But- and prenatal deaths by bringing health ser-
battery storage system. The new renewable ler-Blaxell and Ingrid Walkley from Strelley vices to the people needing these most.
power system will reduce the Strelley Com- Community for their foresight and pursuit This is aligned with the objective of the
Draft Design:
munity’s reliance on diesel generators, allow- of this fantastic initiative. I am proud that Pil- Namibian Ministry of Health and Social
ing it to run “diesel off” during the day using bara Minerals and Pacific Energy, our power Services, that ‘no mother should lose life in
solar energy and during the night using bat- generation partner at Pilgangoora, could as- the process of giving life’; as well as Sus-
tery energy. sist them in realising their ambition.” tainable Development Goal 3 – Health and
Pacific Energy’s Chief Executive, Jamie Wellbeing for all.
Cullen, said the power provider worked with Lepidico is committed to creating shared
the Strelley Community and Pilbara Minerals value where-ever it operates and has start-
to find a custom solution that would ensure ed demonstrating such value even though
positive cost, environmental and educational the project is still in the development phase.
outcomes.
“Keeping remote communities and sites Bellevue Gold has signed a binding
connected is at the heart of what we do, Power Purchase Agreement with
but being involved in meaningful initiatives a subsidiary of Zenith Energy
like this one, which will have real, tangible Operations Pty Ltd (Zenith) for its
impacts on this small community, makes it namesake gold project
If you too want to fast track a gold discovery contact us to learn more.
especially rewarding,” Cullen said.
The project will see Zenith finance, build, explore smarter, discover faster
own, operate and maintain the 88MW power
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Lepidico Ltd through its
This will provide the Strelley Community Namibian Subsidiary Lepidico station for an initial term of 15 years.
with significant cost savings by decreasing Chemicals Namibia (Pty) Ltd The Bellevue project is on track for first
diesel usage and reducing maintenance has been working with its gold in the December quarter with the com-
costs for the ageing diesel generators. It is host communities in uplifting pany having started construction of the pow-
estimated that the savings will equate to more livelihoods. The Community er station, with earthworks and concrete
than 170l of diesel per day, this saving will be Social Responsibility Programme foundations for the thermal station complete
redirected and invested by the Strelley Com- covers various objectives while key electrical infrastructure has been
munity into its Two-way Science and On- including Health and Wellness. secured, including critical long-lead items
Country Learning curriculum programmes. and the main switch room. Zenith will ac-
It is also expected to reduce the Strelley Lepidico believes that the business can quire these items as part of the agreement.
Community’s carbon emissions by more than only be successful in a community that It is expected the hybrid power solution will
150 tpa. thrives and in fulfilling that believe started consist of wind and solar as well as thermal
Rig side RC gold results using detectORE™:
Simple sample prep & safe process with full
Same day low-level QAQC!
Same day low-level
Large sample – up to 500g per result.
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gold results by pXRF
– Anywhere! events.
- Anywhere! Anywhere!
-
Reduced lab assays and delays.
Early geomet indications.
Significant cost and time savings
with numerous ESG attributes!
Explore smarter, discover faster portableppb.com
generation and battery energy storage, with Scott as a HD mobile plant mechanic, and education of Marlee’s up and coming ap-
the aim of meeting up to 80% of the project’s Tenay as a finance manager. In 2017, they prentices.
power needs from renewable energy with decided the time was right for them to make “The training program that Komatsu of-
the ability to operate on 100% renewable the move from employee to employer. fers is exceptional. Three of our indigenous
energy and engine-off mode during periods “We put our savings on the line and apprentices will be attending Komatsu’s
of high renewable energy generation. backed ourselves and haven’t looked training facility in Perth this year, and it will
Bellevue has already designed its pro- back,” Scott says. give our guys the opportunity to get hands
cessing circuit to maximise the natural re- ‘Marlee’ comes from the Noongar word on, accredited training from the machines
sources of wind and solar, providing a direct meaning ‘swan’. A significant figure in they’ll be working on day-to-day.”
cost reduction and emission-free energy Noongar storytelling, the black swan sym-
use, by time-shifting power use to times of bolises mateship, and as a company, Scott “We’re extremely proud of the
low-cost and zero-emission renewable en- says they put a strong focus on collabora- Kavuru Training Centre in Maun,
ergy. tion and dynamic teamwork. Botswana, that has provided
The company has also joined the Electric “We always wanted to build a business critical training for both our
Mine Consortium that consists of 20 highly that has a focus on supporting indigenous underground and surface mining
respected and progressive ASX-listed and employment and giving back to the indige- employees in Botswana since it
private mining and services companies nous communities we’re based in. Current- opened in September 2020.
whose aim is to further decarbonise the in- ly we have at least 30% of our workforce
Draft Design: dustry. coming from a First Nations background,
Bellevue Managing Director Darren Stra-
and we’re always looking to grow that and
low said: “This power purchase agreement continuing to support indigenous employ-
is another key milestone on the path to the ment opportunities,” Scott says.
start of gold production later this year. The “Right from day one our business has
high utilisation of renewable energy in the been built of strong relationships and col-
power station and the flexibility to time-shift- laboration. MLG Oz were our first partner
ing activities with renewable energy availa- and gave us our first machine hire contract,
bility is central to our goal to be Australia’s which meant we were able to invest in a
first net-zero gold producer. As well as being machine from the get-go and hire it back
environmentally responsible, this approach to them, which gave us some runs on the We have more than 30 years’ experience
could see Bellevue receive a premium price board and start building our credibility and in Africa and the state of the art facility is an-
for its gold”. experience in the industry.” other great example of our commitment to
From this partnership, Marlee has pur- training local people to be part of our oper-
When husband-and-wife team chased a new Komatsu WA500-7 that will
If you too want to fast track a gold discovery contact us to learn more. Scott and Tenay Stringer were be dry hired directly to MLG Oz on a long- ations, providing value and certainty to our
explore smarter, discover faster employees and their families while also sup-
looking for their next career
term agreement for MLG’s Goldfields mine
W: portableppb.com E: [email protected] challenge, they decided to back site. porting the local economy.
“The centre is supporting and shaping the
themselves and go out on their “We knew Komatsu provides proven, re- surface and underground mining industry in
own – and Marlee Resources was liable machines that would fit well into our Botswana, and contributing to a diverse and
born. fleet, and their great warranty terms mean stable economy as well as making a real dif-
we were confident that if we did have any
Marlee Resources is a successful In- ference to the local community.”
digenous owned, licensed and accredited issues, they would be dealt with quickly and Across all courses we have had 1479
government, civil and mining contractor op- efficiently, which is what we need working people attend the training centre. Given
erating across Western Australia, with 55 in dry hire,” Scott says. there are 12 courses, there is likely to be
employees and 32 machines in their fleet “MLG have had nothing but praise for the some overlap as 1 person could have at-
for dry hire. loader as well, it’s comfortable, reliable, ef- tended multiple courses, so difficult to give
Scott and Tenay both come from years ficient and best of all productive.” the exact number.
of experience in construction and mining, Scott also says that the Komatsu team
has been supportive in the training and
Rig side RC gold results using detectORE™:
Simple sample prep & safe process with full
Same day low-level QAQC!
Same day low-level
Large sample – up to 500g per result.
gold results by pXRF Better drill rig usage – fewer mob/demob
gold results by pXRF
– Anywhere! events.
-
- Anywhere! Anywhere!
Reduced lab assays and delays.
Early geomet indications.
Significant cost and time savings
with numerous ESG attributes!
August 2023 VOLUME 1. ISSUE 318 $11.95
6 - 8 Sept 2023 8 Sept 2023 8 Sept 2023
6 --
6
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Perth, Western Australiarth, Western Australiarth, Western Australia
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EDITIONDITION
Botswana: Botswana:
Diamond sparkle Diamond sparkle
Australia’s Paydirt August 2023
to copper chargeto copper charge
07
ISSN 1445-3436 771445 343007
9
In today’s mining industry, sustainability performance is more than a nice-to-have, it has become an
essential component of company strategy and a key indicator for investors, financiers and stakeholders.
Paydirt has charted this transformation over many years and will continue to follow the trends and new
thinking through its dedicated Sustainability feature. As well as looking at the latest ESG strategies, we
will talk to industry leaders about the ideas, innovations and initiatives which are placing their compa-
nies at the forefront of the energy transition, community engagement and environmental stewardship.
Several partnership options for the feature are available, from company and leadership profiles, to fea-
ture sponsorships and topic specific thought-pieces.
WHO READS PAYDIRT:
Industry executives / Investors / Financiers / Leading service providers
Senior government officials