Mines in Western Australia (WA) Collaborate to Collect their Waste Metal for Charity

Mining IQ recently heard about an amazing project happening out in WA in conjunction with the mines in Western Australia (WA). We were inspired by the work of Tony Fitz-gibbon and Ruggies Recycling and wanted to share his inspiring story with all our members and readers.

Can you please share your role and responsibilities at Ruggies Recycling?

Ruggies Recycling gained its name from a mid nineties American kids TV show called Rug Rats (i.e. Ruggies). 

Now it's just the name of a fundraising activity for the Princess Margaret children’s Hospital Foundation.  

I am the sole person driving this project that commenced in 1995 on the Granny Smith goldmine near Laverton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. 

How did you begin to work with mines in Western Australia and where did the idea come from?

The local Laverton primary school didn't have enough money to purchase computers for their school and one of the miners suggested selling some of the mine's scrap metal to raise the required funds. At the time they raised more than the school needed for their computers and kindly donated the rest to the PMH Hospital which is WA's only hospital dedicated to children’s health. 

I understand that you work with many of the mines in Western Australia collecting their waste metal so you can recycle it and sell it on to raise funds for the children’s hospital to buy medical  equipment - asides from the fact that this is an outstanding cause - can you tell me how you engaged with the mines?

Well not quite all yet as there are so many, however we now have around 80 mines and mine site villages supporting the Ruggies Recycling program. Engaging them is difficult. Sure the Internet is an aid but we have found that the best way to get them to participate in this terrific fundraising model is to drive out there and 'sell' them on the benefits of our program. Convincing them on the notion to recycle to help sick children isn't the really hard bit, as that's pretty much expected of them under their environmental and community responsibilities. 

The toughest task I have in my role is getting permission and access to go onto their restricted mine sites. 

I have to complete courses in mine safety and first aid, pass drug and alcohol testing, pass general health checks, have a current police and gold stealing clearance and then do an individual site induction for every single mine! 

During my last trip in May/Jun through the Goldfields, Pilbara and Gascoyne I visited 39 mine sites and drove nearly 8,000 klms in four weeks in our trusty Toyota Hilux donated to us by the WA Toyota dealers (see pic of muddied ute attached). 

Trips such as this one (the next will be in Sept/Oct) would not be possible without the support of the key providers of mine site accommodation in WA - Sodexo and E.S.S.  

What are your goals for Ruggies in working with WA mining sites?

Obviously to raise as much money as we can for the new Children’s Hospital which is now under construction and due for completion in 2014. 

However we have no control over the prices we receive from the scrap dealers for the commodities recycled as they are subject to market fluctuations. 

So our main focus is to maximise the number of participating sites so as to increase the overall volume donated of steel, copper, aluminium, cardboard, plastics and even glass. Sadly these commodities have fallen an average 28% since January. So we need to get cracking and get more mines involved!    

Do you have any stories from your journey that you can share?  

These images attached show what the recycled materials look like before and after. 

The pile of rail road scrap (picture to the left) is what we start with.

In this picture is the skin harvester purchased from rail road scrap funds.  

Picture 3 shows the copper cable before recycling.

Finally - this picture shows the copper cable converted into a dental microscope. 

No these are not miracles it's what Ruggies Recycling does!

Our sincere thanks also go to the help of the major trucking companies in WA who provide free backloads bringing the scrap back from the mine sites. 

How have the mining companies in Western Australia (WA) responded to your initiative?

The mines have responded really well as in many cases we do not receive 100% of the income raised from their recycling efforts. Quite often, especially with the mines that are close to towns and communities, we agree to share the proceeds with other key charities such as the RFDS, schools and local volunteer ambulance services. 

From a mine's perspective it certainly ticks a few boxes - it's environmentally responsible, it clearly sets an example to their employees and they are contributing to helping the sick kids at the PMH Hospital.    

Has it changed the way that you view mining operations and what have you learned along the way?

I took over the management of Ruggies in 2002 after a 26 year career in IT and was pretty unprepared for my first tour of the mines. 

The jargon, safety checks, safety clothing, permits etc. and then the long drives on either very busy roads dodging road trains with 3 or 4 trailers and then changing to deserted, remote and terribly corrugated unsealed gravel access roads reaching out to each of the mine sites. Annually about 25,000klms! 

What I have learned are quite a few skills in outback driving and most importantly - staying safe! 

How much have you raised in proceeds since you started out?

Our total would now be approaching $3m. 

What's the next big / current project?

Chevron's Wheatstone LNG project near Onslow in the Pilbara. Chevron estimates this $29 billion project will create 5,500 direct and indirect jobs at peak construction and 400 new operational jobs.    

If people / companies would like to get onboard and be part of the journey - can they? And how?

They can call me on 0428 185 550 or email tony.fitzgibbon@pmhfoundation.com

Mining IQ wholeheartedly endorses this fantastic project and thanks Tony for his time and contribution to Mining IQ and of course to the Mining industry at large and the children’s hospitals he is working so tirelessly to support. What a great initiative! 

To find out more please visit: www.ruggiesrecycling.com/