Nominees announced for 2014 Golden Gecko Awards

Western Australia’s Golden Gecko Awards showcase companies leading industry in environmental excellence.
Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Six finalists contesting for prestigious Golden Gecko Award 2014  

Rapid monitoring of coastal marine habitats, maximising renewable energy on a mine site and underwater biofouling of marine vessels are just some of the innovative projects contesting for the prestigious Golden Gecko Awards 2014.

The six finalists for the 2014 Golden Gecko Award were announced today by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion.

The Prestigious Golden Gecko Awards showcase companies which are leading the industry with innovative environmental practices and demonstrating strong leadership in environmental excellence across the State.

Department of Mines and Petroleum Environment Division Executive Director Dr Phil Gorey said the award entries are assessed against specific criteria by a panel of environmental officers from various government agencies.

“To receive a Golden Gecko award, nominees must excel across four criteria,” Dr Gorey said.

“These are a commitment to environmental excellence, achieving excellent environmental outcomes, community engagement and what makes the project special.

“Regardless of who receives an award, all six companies have shown a commitment to Western Australia’s unique environment.”

For the first time since the Golden Gecko Award was launch in 1992, this year’s gala night will be open to all of the resources industry, not just finalists.

The ticketed event will be staged in two parts, a brief seminar where finalists will present their submissions, followed by a cocktail networking event where the Golden Gecko winner will be announced.

The 23rd annual Golden Gecko Award at the Duxton Hotel, Perth on 9 October 2014 and Minister Marmion will present the awards.

The finalists are:

  • Newcrest Mining Limited - Telfer Gold Mine
  • Geo Oceans Pty Ltd.
  • Perth Argyle Diamonds Limited - Argyle Diamond Mine
  • Environmental Rehabilitation WA (ERWA) - Mt Ida
  • Franmarine Underwater Services and Department of Fisheries - Henderson
  • Evolution Mining Edna May Operations – Project: Eremophila resinosa Translocation Program

To purchase your ticket go to http://www.starsevents.com.au/GoldenGeckoAwards
For more information about the Golden Geckos go to http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/goldengecko

The six finalists 2014 Golden Gecko Awards for Environmental Excellence.

Copper Concentrate Storage Facility
Newcrest Mining Limited’s submission relates to the construction of a Copper Concentrate Storage Facility at Telfer that prevents the migration of copper concentrate from the existing facility. This was achieved through detailed dust modelling, and the significant reengineering of conventional storage structures for application in the Pilbara desert.

Go Visions Marine Habitat Mapping and Monitoring Technology
Geo Oceans delivered the GO Visions system technology R&D project that rapidly assess and monitor large areas of coastal marine habitats that may be impacted by an oil spill event. The GO Visions technology makes collecting marine habitat data more efficient, safer and accurate. The system comprises of image analysis software, cameras, accurate spatial positioning systems and other sensors that are mounted on towed cameras and Remotely Operated Vehicles.

Maximising the use of renewable energy at Argyle Diamonds
Argyle Diamonds have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 23,300tCO2-e per year at the Argyle Diamond Mine. This was achieved through optimising the efficiency of hydro power usage during normal mining operations and the seasonal dewatering process. This has resulted in a 30% reduction of hydro power usage and a 21% decrease of onsite diesel consumption.

Mt Ida Magnetite Rehabilitation Project - Beyond Best Practice Exploration Rehabilitation
ERWA undertook a rehabilitation strategy for the Mt Ida Magnetite Exploration Project. ERWA reinstated the natural landforms of Mt Ida back to its physical pre-disturbed form. The rehabilitation will also reduce the chances of erosion of rehabilitated sites and re-established nearby creeks, gullies and drainage lines.

In-Water Hull Cleaning System
Franmarine Underwater Services developed a system that can vastly reduce biosecurity risks and the carbon footprint associated with large marine vessels. The project eradicates marine biofouling of Large Marine Vessels using an in-water treatment, vessel encapsulation and cleaning technologies. This eliminates biological risk to the environment and any damage to the anti-fouling coat.

Evolution Mining, in conjunction with the Kings Park Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority has developed an Environmental Management Plan for Eremophila resinosa in order to protect and mitigate any disturbance to the rare species during mine expansion. The project, involving several separate translocations, is based on leading and evolving scientific discoveries and innovative horticultural practices which have improved our knowledge of the biology of the species and its cultural requirements. This is the first instance that E. resinosa has successfully been propagated and translocated outside of a controlled environment.

  1. Newcrest Mining Limited - Telfer Gold Mine
  2. Geo Oceans Pty Ltd. - Perth
  3. Argyle Diamonds Limited - Argyle Diamond Mine
  4. Environmental Rehabilitation WA (ERWA) - Mt Ida
  5. Franmarine Underwater Services and Department of Fisheries - Henderson
  6. Evolution Mining Edna May Operations – Project: Eremophila resinosa Translocation Program