- Photos from our Partner Networking Drinks
- Save the date for our inaugural Annual Forum
- Project Spotlight – regulation of mine closure, AMD risks, demonstration sites
- Regional hubs – a growing network
- Invitation for new partners
- A word from Anna Littleboy
From our CEO…
It is hard to believe it was almost 12 months ago that CRC TiME was officially established. In July we will move beyond our Foundational Period into the Operational phase and you will see a number of tools
and strategies roll out over the next couple of months to support our research programs and stakeholder engagement. Many of you had the opportunity to hear our plans first hand and meet the team at our online Participant Information Meeting in April.It was also fantastic to directly connect with so many of our partners at the Life of Mine Conference on the east coast and the Partner Networking Drinks held in the west. In some ways we have been fortunate our CRC was born during a time where working together through virtual means is normalised, as I have found the virtual meeting place one that removes jurisdictional and cross sector boundaries, helping us develop an organisation that is truly national in its outlook and collaborative across sectors. Collaboration sits at the heart of our CRC and while virtual engagement has many benefits, the ability to come together from time to time, share stories and build relationships is still needed.
I’d like to thank everyone for their contribution to our first 12 months of development. Many of you have invested significant time and energy in our formation, planning and delivery of our Foundational Projects. I am delighted to have welcomed 22 project leaders to our team and see the projects hit the ground running. Our management team and Board have worked incredibly hard over the last 12 months and I feel incredibly privileged to work with this team of deeply committed and experienced people.
In particular, I would like to thank our outgoing Research Director, Professor Anna Littleboy. We have worked together on the CRC for over 3 years now, going from bid to formative stages and she is currently finalising CRC TiME’s inaugural research prioritisation plan. Anna will be stepping back from a full time position, to get back into her path to semi retirement with University of Queensland’s Sustainable Mineral Institute. Anna’s thought leadership and friendship, through what has been an incredible journey, is deeply appreciated. I look forward to announcing our new Research Director in coming weeks.
Finally, for our partners and project participants, the dates of our Annual Forum are now set for 30 November and 1 December. As it is at a busy time of the year, can I encourage you to put the placeholder in your diary now.
Dr Guy Boggs
Important – Save the Dates
Planning is well underway for CRC TiME’s inaugural Annual Forum so be sure to add a placeholder in the diary for Tuesday, 30 November and Wednesday, 1 December. The forum will be held this year in Perth, Western Australia.
Conferences
Regarded as a key networking event for mine closure specialists, this years AusIMM Life of Mine Conference, hosted by the University of Queensland and chaired by CRC TiME Project Leader, Associate Professor Glen Corder, was a great success. The conference brought together many of our partners, with CRC TiME sponsoring the networking event hosted by the Closure Planning Practitioners Association and AusIMM Southern Queensland branch on the opening night.
CRC TiME highlights from the conference included a stirring keynote address by our Indigenous College Director, Vanessa Elliott, a thought provoking presentation by Research Director, Dr Anna Littleboy and a stimulating CRC TiME panel session featuring members of our Board and Board Committees and facilitated by CEO, Dr Guy Boggs and Research Committee Chair and Board Director, Professor David Brereton.
Partner Networking Event
Our well attended first west coast partner networking drinks were held to coincide with Reconciliation Week, at a beautiful location overlooking the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River). The Welcome to Country was delivered by Curtin University’s Vanessa Corunna, a river woman and Whadjuk Noongar Senior Knowledge Holder and was followed by excellent five minute summaries from Project Leaders across four of our Programs.
It was great to have such a wide range of people from across all stakeholder groups making connections as well as bringing together so many of the CRC TiME team members.
Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan Launch
In April, the Queensland Government launched the consultation for their Resources Industry Development Plan. They are seeking input from stakeholders and communities by 30 June 2021, so click here to Have Your Say.Our Research Director, Dr Anna Littleboy was on the panel for the launch of the consultation journey and was interviewed for her vision of a post-mining future. Click the image to watch the video.
Project Spotlight
Project 1.3 Mapping the Regulation of Mine Closure
This 18 month project is identifying how the regulatory framework facilitates mine rehabilitation and repurposing, as well as when and where elements of the framework may block, undermine or conflict with goals of mine rehabilitation and repurposing. Eighteen partners are participating directly with the project and numerous organisations being consulted.
In May, the Stage 1 Report, ‘core concepts, goals and institutions’ was reviewed by the P1.3 Steering Committee who provided useful oral and written feedback that helped draw out the inherent complexities and nuances that need to be addressed to consider properly the many intersecting elements of mine closure. The revised Stage 1 of the Report is now complete and work has commenced on Stage 2 which is delving into the key laws and policies that regulate the process of mine closure. In particular, Stage 2 will examine the rights and duties of government, industry and the community across the mine life cycle, mapping those rights and duties across three stages: pre-operation, during operation and post-operation.
For more details, click here
Project 3.6 Barriers to Reducing AMD Risk
Fifteen participating partner organisations have come together to work on the long-standing issues surrounding reducing environmental risks using acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD). When we asked what CRC TiME could usefully do on AMD, there were a range of opinions – including that there has been so much done over the past few decades, there was little the CRC could usefully do. Yet everyone agreed that the issue had definitely not been solved.So in May, we ran two global online workshops, inviting stakeholders from around the world, asking them “Why has AMD been such an intractable issue and what can be done about it?”. They were truly global wokshops with ninety people participating from 17 countries, across all continents (except Antarctica!) for the 5 hour workshops – take a look at the red markers on the above map highlighting participant locations. We saw some vibrant discussions happening across eight topics. Using the discussion notes, we are identifying emerging themes, and creating a roadmap for future CRC TiME work on AMD.
For more details, click here
Project 4.3 Network of Demonstration and Testing Sites
Would you like to make R&D useful? [National visibility and impact]One of CRC TiME’s Foundation Projects is seeking to make our R&D not only visible and nationally available but USEFUL! Project 4.3 is collating information across mine sites nationally (operating or closed) as to their suitability to showcase technology. This is to bring direct benefit and use at mine sites but also to demonstrate the use of R&D nationally for all to see!Mining companies have achieved much in rehabilitation, tailings and overburden management, and in transitioning to closure – but transforming mining economies requires a step change in technology and social efforts linked to scaled up demonstration. Dr’s Elise Bekele and Greg Davis are leading the effort with support of an advisor group of mining companies and state government representatives. Where should we focus, what technologies and approaches warrant scale up – who is best to match with whom across this matrix of options? That’s the challenge. We are sifting through the possible options and plan to report in August. What R&D needs to be nationally showcased and where, for national and global benefit? Watch this space!
For more details, click here
Hub News
CRC TiME is establishing regional hubs to ensure research meets the local needs of industry and we deliver direct impact in the regions. CRC TiME staff have been visiting regions to meet and establish relationships with local stakeholders and begin designing hubs that align with local governance structures and priorities.
Recent hub meetings have taken place in Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory and the Pilbara of WA and meetings are taking place this week in the Bowen Basin, Queensland. Working closely with CRC TiME regional development partners including the Pilbara Development Commission, Developing East Arnhem Limited and Central Highlands Development Commission respectively, meetings have brought together key stakeholders and CRC TiME partners from Government, Regional Economic Development, Indigenous Organisations and Mining Industry. During these meetings, it has been clear that the mine closure journey for each region is unique and that a sustained, two way relationship with research is critical to ensuring long term outcomes can be achieved.
Regional Hub Fact: Did you know the Gove Peninsula Futures Reference Group, which includes the Gumatj Corporation, Rirratjiŋu Aboriginal Corporation, the Northern Land Council, Northern Territory Government, Rio Tinto and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, released the ‘Traditional owner vision for the Gove Peninsula’ in March this year?
Dr Emma Yuen, Impact & Translation Lead
Interested in becoming a partner?
We are actively seeking indigenous partners and community groups around our Regional Hub areas. Join the growing number of stakeholders collaborating with us to find practical solutions to the multi-faceted issues surrounding mine closure.If your organisation would like to become part of this globally significant effort to improve lives, communities, the environment and industry, please contact guy.boggs@crctime.com.au or phone 08 9263 9805.
A word from Anna Littleboy
I am enormously proud to have been part of shaping, proposing and developing the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies. Since 2018, thinking about the CRC has engaged me in creative thinking, stretched my worldview and engaged me with new friends, colleagues and professionals. What more could a researcher want? As foreshadowed more than a year ago, it is now time for me to step back and cheer the CRC on from the sidelines. I do not do this without sadness, but it is time for me to pay more attention to my health, my family and being a semi-retired academic. It is also timely for the CRC to bring in new thinking and fresh energy to help operationalise the CRCs research program. I do not apologise for the wonderful complexity we have created within CRC TiME. With great complexity comes great potential for change and I believe every partner believes paradigmatic change is required to enable delivery of positive impact from mining that will endure post mining. All the best to Guy and the team and everyone who has contributed so generously to one heck of a ride!
We acknowledge the traditional custodians across all the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders both past and present.
Happy First Birthday
Celebrating 12 months of operations
What’s new?