National

During December 2011, MMG supported Zinc Saves Kids through UNICEF’s Christmas Inspired Gifts (an annual gift-giving promotion run by UNICEF throughout the festive season).

According to UNICEF, in 2011, 16.7 million unwanted gifts were given during Christmas. With unwanted gifts worth an average of $64, Australia spent approximately A$500 million over Christmas– an amount that could provide therapeutic feeding to over 913,242 children for a year.

The start of a new year often means job seekers are at their most active – keen for fresh challenges and a potential new job.  As you embark on your job search, here are a few less obvious tips for you to think about.  It’s often the smaller details we overlook, yet can determine our job search success.

In an Australia Day Ceremony at Strahan, Darryl Gerrity, the Mayor of the West Coast, announced that MMG had won the “2011 Community Event of the Year” for its 75th Anniversary celebration.

The award was presented jointly to Linda Williams and Christine Winskill - the primary organizers of the event  - on behalf of MMG.

Australia’s gas production – for domestic and export markets – continues to increase every year.  But petroleum liquids production is still failing.  In 2000-01 Australia produced 272.4 million barrels (MMbbl) of petroleum liquids.  By 2010-11 this had fallen to 183.7MMbbl.  This ongoing decline is dramatically increasing the nation’s trade deficit.

Contrary to the norm, my journey started well before I actually worked for a miner. I left high school in 1989 not knowing what I wanted to do. Mining didn’t even rate a mention in those days as it wasn’t the media focus it is now. University wasn’t an option for me as I’d had enough of studying. Besides, I don’t think my TE score would have got me into any university! I eventually joined the Navy after nothing else took my fancy.

This scholarship allows the winner to spend a week of work experience with Atlas Copco in Australia, followed by two weeks with Atlas Copco in Sweden. It is open to all student members of The AusIMM who are in their penultimate or final year of a recognised minerals-related course. For one week with Atlas Copco in Australia, the winner of the scholarship will gain some practical experience using Atlas Copco's mining equipment and will also understand how Atlas Copco works with the Australian mining industry.

Jody Elliott, Director of The Resource Channel speaks to ABC Radio's Babs McHugh about the increasing challenge of securing new resource sector workers as other countries ramp up their own operations and projects, demanding some 250,000 new entrants.

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rural/resource/201201/r882802_8761919.mp3

When China was first touted as the anticipated future superpower some ten years ago by a handful of Australian resource company executives, many couldn’t see past the strong trade reliance with the US. Cut to 2011, and Australia's economic ties with the US are night and day from those with China.