More pics

India

So India was amazing, incredibly busy and very colourful. After a week, I was very tired from how fast it was and couldn't wait to get home. It might not have helped that I was very busy with getting my assignments handed in before I left, so I was tired to begin with. Here are some pics (I haven't been able to download them all):



If you look closely in this last photo, you can see the scaffolding (which is not exactly straight, but the building still looks amazing).

It was really hot and humid, but worth the experience. I didn't enjoy the 24hrs on a plane each way (took the longer option and transferred in Dubai), so I hope for no long plane trips anytime soon. I also need to save up some money before I go overseas again!! Dubai seems amazing. I didn't get to go outside the airport, but it really does feel like an oasis in the middle of the desert.

I think I have been bitten by the travel bug, I really want to go to Dubai, as well as doing aid work building homes in Indonesia. I had better forget about it for the moment and get stuck into uni because exams are looming now.

India

Just got back from India (more photos and stories to come) :)

Also, have just seen this clip on engineers. Just keep in mind that engineers might create all these things, but many other professions are also involved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGmIkYw19gg
I doubt Arup meant to say that engineers alone create almost everything society needs, but looks like some people are taking it that way.

Good quote

I like this one:
"Soil has a peculiar fascination, which impinges upon all of us at some time or other. Farmers or horticulturalists till it, engineers move it about in juggernaut-like machines, small boys (and girls!) dig in it, and mothers abhor it as being dirty"

These kids will make good employees in mining - check out all the safety gear for playing with a bit of dirt!

The Herd

Things like this really annoy me.

http://www.noosanews.com.au/story/2009/09/18/headline-act-the-herd-bolts-from-festival-herd-bol/

Before I start, I do really like the music that The Herd produces, but this is just weak and really is showing that they are a sell-out. At least the name is accurate, in that they do just follow the crowd. The Herd were due to play at the Coal to Coast Concert in Mackay, but pulled out less than 24hrs before the show. This was due to anti-mining 'green' groups still trying to plug that coal mining is bad. Honestly, where do they think the steel that they use everyday comes from? The steel reinforcement in their houses, in the bridges they walk across, in the buildings they work, in the safety boots, in the cars they drive to work in or the buses they ride, in whitegoods and office furniture. This is all without mentioning the massive factor of where the majority of electricity comes from. I support the sustainable use of resources, but this childish, uniformed view that mining is bad really does annoy me. It can be made sustainable, and is heading in that direction already.

On a brighter note, congratulations to Spiderbait for standing up and taking the stage (I am hoping that they do), because the Concert should be a lot of fun despite the poor media attention.

Assessment

This week is a shocker week for assessment, but I still managed time to watch a tower crane getting assembled on the weekend. It was great, I wish I had my camera. A small yard crane was used to assemble the main boom in the street (which had been closed off to vehicles, but not pedestrians), then a 220t mobile crane lifted the boom into place to fit onto the actual tower. In case you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, this is a tower crane (you will see them all around the city).


I know it's nerdy, but I enjoyed watching and learning how the cranes get put together.

QRC Ambassador Day

Last Tuesday QRC held their annual Ambassador Day, only this year was a bit different. Last year we heard from a few of the older students about what they had experienced with the program. They spoke about the Vac Work they had done, we watched some YouTube, like this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRxNvXCPCiM
So this year we were incredibly lucky, and heard from many people who are currently working in the industry. It started with the CEO of QRC, Michael Roche updating everyone on the current state of the industry, including an explanation of the advances in Coal Seam Gas, underground coal gasification, and LNG. It looks like there is, and will continue to be an incredible movement in these areas which is exciting news for the industry. Basically, the coal seam gas has been seen as a nuisance, contributing unnecessarily to the emissions from mining activity. Hopefully, it will soon be standard procedure to extract the gas for beneficial use before the mining of the coal begins. Of course this is all very much reliant on the feasibility of this option. Timing and cost obviously need to be suitable for the coal mining operations.

We then heard from companies such as Rio Tinto, Santos, Golding, BMA and Thiess. There were graduates, Engineers, HR Advisors, and even a Principal Geologist (Donna Frater).

Donna's part was one of the most interesting segments of the day for me. She definitely has a lot of experience in the industry, and has been quite successful. It was amazing to listen to someone who was prepared to give up a lot of time for us, and provide some tips on the industry.

I was impressed, and sincerely appreciative of the effort that was contributed by all of the companies, and especially the presenters both in preparation, and on the day.

AusIMM Event & Update

Last week I was able to attend the JK Lecture presented by AusIMM. It was really good to have such a successful female speaker. The speaker was Simone Wetzlar from Thiess, and I thought she was really interesting, certainly one of the better speakers that I have heard. It was also good to mix with people from the industry, with people attending from a range of different companies and professions. Overall, it was a really good night.

The uni is starting to hit hard now, so we are getting stuck into the assessment. Although it's a lot more work this semester, I'm really enjoying the 'real' projects we are working on. One subject we are actually designing a housing development to be built in Malanda. The client decided to use QUT for 'fresh' ideas, so I hope we can deliver!

New Website Launch

WIMARQ (Women in Mining and Resources Queensland) has just launched it's new website
http://www.womeninminingqueensland.com/
They have heaps of great events, so it will now be a lot easier to find out about them.

Check this out :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0W9lW6adlo

It's a pretty good explanation of all the emerging technologies to improve emissions generated from coal and gas production and use. Check it out, it explains it a lot better than I could.

Im back :)

The last month went incredibly fast, but it was great!

I was mostly driving trucks - which were Cat 789C - check out the pic below. The trucks are 6.9m wide and 12.1m long. With the tray down, they are 6.1m, but 11.9m high when the tray is up. That's bigger than my house! Although my house is quite small. We weren't able to take any pics on site, as it was a BMA site on which Downer EDi is one of the contractors. I also got to spend a day in an excavator watching the trucks being loaded, as well as in a water cart (they are still quite big, although about half the size of the dump trucks), and a bit of surveying experience was thrown in too.

The safety aspect is a massive focus, but it soon becomes habit to throw on the hard hat and safety glasses as soon as you walk outside. There is also a surprising amount of paperwork for the operators to fill out. They have a sheet which they fill in every load, the time and weight of the load. There are also safety books which have to be filled out, and each time the 'circuit' (the route which the trucks travel on) changes, a map and list of the hazards must be drawn up for everyone to sign. It's really good, as the mine changes rapidly and it's helpful to know where you need to go before getting in the truck.

It's a different experience starting and finishing work in the dark, but I really enjoyed it. The camp was really useful for the long days. After working 12.5hr shifts, it's really good to have someone else cook and clean for you. It's definitely a change coming home!

STOKED!!

So Downer EDI has offered me Vac work over the June/July hols, which is pretty rare for a start, and is on site, which makes it even better for me. I can't wait to get out there and check out what it is like. I finished all of my exams Monday, but had the inductions at 7:30am the next day, as well as today. I was surprised how interesting they were, considering they could be fairly boring. I learnt a lot of new stuff, and got to go home early both days :D
Now I have four days until I get out there, so I'm cramming it full with the Gold Coast, surfing, and catching up with friends. I need to catch up on my social life a bit after the last two months of assessment.
I'll be back in about a month or so, hopefully with some great pics. Just another bonus, I get to miss out on the first week of uni, but I know I'll have to work hard to make up for it. I think it's definitely worth it!!

Uni Pracs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvTFhuUZ9Wk
The best part about engineering is breaking everything. This one is basically a plastic material with fibre reinforcing (which makes it a whole lot stronger). And yes, we do spend a lot of time watching youtube in lectures to save time actually doing the pracs :)

One exam to go until holidays.... XD

exams

Half way through :D
Two more weeks, two more exams.

bday :)

Had my bday party on the weekend, but now it's back to study with exams starting next week. At least it means the holidays are close!!

So here is a really straight forward video on what is going on in the mining industry.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2009/05/05/2561225.htm

I thought it was really interesting, especially because I didn't realise the industry has been through the worst if it. Also, the carbon permits is always a heavily debated topic, and this explains the opinion of the mining industry.

Also, I know the flow through shares scheme is a great idea, and is obviously beneficial in order to get some exploration happening, but seems like the share market is pretty uncertain at the moment?

Guess I better get back to studying anyway...

Latest News

So its been ages since I have put anything up. It turns out Downer EDI has offered me part time work during semester as well, so I have been really busy ever since trying to fit everything in. The mid-semester exams have all finished now (although I have a 40% assignment due Friday, so I better make this short). Now we are just finishing off a lot of assignments, and getting ready for the finals. It feels like uni just started again. Talking about the comic at the top, you might remember when the ICB in brissie flooded earlier this year (I think). According to a civil engineer I know, the maintenance staff turned the alarms off because the sound was annoying them. The engineers were blamed by the media, but there is clearly a problem in understanding. I know at work, (I often draw plans for the mine planning department) we all know that on site the plan will not be followed exactly, but maybe there could be more ability for communication between operators and engineers involved in the planning stage.

Careers Day

I love Careers Day - I get to renew my pen stash for the year. There were some very cool things today - Vale had a 1GB memory stick, PB had lego pens and stress blocks, but my favourite was this Peabody stress ball in the form of a lump of coal. But seriously, it's a great way to talk to HR, and engineers in the companies you want to work for. Even better if you don't know who you want to work for yet. The best thing is that they are never limited to QUT uni students, although they are held in school hours. I think over half of the exhibitors were searching for engineers, it was great, although there were still many others. I think that it is probably the best way to meet numerous potential employers at once. And the best part is that they are purely there to meet potential employees, so don't feel weird about asking for vac work or part-time work.

Anti Mining Campaigns

I've noticed more Anti Mining signs lately, which really annoys me. I think if people want to make a public statement against anything, especially in the case of a major industry which makes up so much of the Queensland economy, they should at least do a little research first!!!! Here are a few of my own personal points:
-mining provides so many jobs in Qld - jobs we cannot be without, especially in the economic situation at the moment
-everything you use originally comes from the earth - ipods, laptops, electricity, cars, phones......the list is endless. These don't just appear - all of the elements are resources which are mined - resources which DO replenish themselves. The problem happens when we mine faster than the resources can be replenished. This is a balance needed for sustainability.
-mining creates as well as sustains pre-existing towns and communities.
-the current urban push is often criticised on the basis of sustainability, whereas mining encourages many people into remote areas
-in regards to the mining vs farming debate, i believe both can exist. My dad is a farmer, and I obviously support farming, as without it there would be no food on your plate, but I don't buy into the argument that mining destroys farming.

I just wish people would stop and think, and do some research before starting a movement against something that they actually need to survive.

International Women's Day

I know it's a bit late, but happy International Women's Day for 8th March

On the Friday before, I attended a breakfast at the Sofitel where successful women within the industry were awarded for their hard work. It was good to see so many men supportive of the event as well.

In the afternoon I went on a tour of the port with some lucky QMEA students who were sponsored to come down to Brisbane especially for the breakfast (and I'm sure managed to squeeze some shopping in as well). I think I was more interested, especially as I have never seen the Port of Brisbane before. It is quite different to the Port of Townsville.

start of uni

This is the best time of the year - when there are no exams, a lot of parties and new people to meet. I'm enjoying it while it lasts - I know it won't be for long.

uni

Back to uni this week. I get a long weekend every week :D
I'll miss working at Downer EDI though..

xmas party pics

Vic Bushfires

At work (Downer EDI) we have been told that not only is the company donating a substantial financial contribution, but also helping to rebuild. Employees have been given a rare opportunity to salary sacrifice (where we can contribute any amount of money, and it comes out of our pay before tax and super etc), so you hardly notice it. It's great that they have made it so easy for us to help out. Downer EDI isn't the only one though, I know many other mining companies have contributed large financial donations. It's great to see that even in this economic uncertainty, that many large companies are still generous to such a worthy cause.

Economic Downturn

Today I had the opportunity to talk about my perspective on the economic downturn at one of the QRC boards. There were many CEO's present, and it was an incredibly opportunity to meet more (VERY) high profile people within the mining industry. They were all suprisingly down to earth, and really friendly.

Thought you might find the following article interesting.
--->http://business.smh.com.au/business/no-good-reason-to-feel-depression-20090127-7qxt.html
It's interesting to see that the most affected will be those of the least education, so even though school might look boring now, it's a whole lot better than the alternative.

Also remember, the papers love only bad news and drama, so they are not telling the full truth about what is going on, and the good news from mining. I've heard of many people being made redundant starting another job of similar level, skill and type within a week. Also, we are used to a boom, so of course it looks like a dramatic change. Look up the websites of industry bodies such as QRC if you want the full story.

Site Visit

On Thursday I had my first site visit. It was awesome - I got to ride in a dump truck and an excavator. I also got to see both sides of a new technology. The person that I travelled out with actually started the project, and has spent much of his time fixing and improving the software. Basically it is centred around GPS - there is a GPS system on the dozers (it is currently only used on dozers in the dozer push), and a touch screen that the operators use. In the office, you can see exactly where the dozers are at any time - as well as production (how much they are pushing). This is also where they create the model to upload to the dozer. The operator is able to check their work on the touch screen, making sure they are going exactly where they should be, and dumping in the right place. It even tells them how far to go until coal. Although it's taken ages to get there, it's amazing technology.

While I was out there, it rained very lightly, but this was enough to stop work across the majority of the mine. The main haul road has a top layer of clay - which is incredibly slippery and dangerous - way too dangerous for massive dump trucks. Just watching thelight 4WD's and an unlucky tow truck try the road was bad enough - I was glad I wasn't driving!

The rain is worrying - if the mine stops work long enough it can even get hefty fines. There is a purpose built power station next to the mine - which is one of the most efficient as it has been built especially for this mine - which also means very minimal transport of coal. The only catch is if coal is not continuously supplied, the power station can fine the mining company (as they are a contractor). The contract also states that the reject ash must be collected and dumped in pit. This means an ash dump truck must be continuously running (which becomes difficult in wet weather). The haul roads and ramps are constantly changing - which means that gravel cannot be used - as it is too expensive. So there's a challenge to think about - how can we fix this problem?

Check this out

Now there's proof that there are more and more females in mining. Take a look at this
->http://www.qrc.org.au/_dbase_upl/Women%20Leading%20Practice_08%20WEB.pdf
Thanks to the support of many prominent companies, women are certainly part of the mining industry, with the female growth outweighing the males in the employment stakes (within QRC companies at least). This definitely has to make a point to everyone who thinks that females don't exist in mining. My boss at Downer EDI - a mining engineer - is female, as are many other successful mining engineers. So next time someone says women aren't or shouldn't be involved in the mining industry, at least you will have something to fire back at them. :)

Happy New Year!!

Back to work tomorrow :)