WORSLEY Alumina Pty Ltd has won the 2007 MINEX Award, the mining industry’s highest accolade for safety and health practices. Worsley Alumina is a joint venture company operated by BHP Billiton, with three sites located in Western Australia’s South West. The main sites are a bauxite mine at Boddington, an alumina refinery at Collie, and port facilities at Bunbury. Minerals Council chairman Charlie Lenegan said the awards were designed to demonstrate this industry’s commitment to zero harm in the workplace and the communities in which it operates. Worsley Alumina consistently applies systems and procedures across three discrete sites. “Worsley exhibits a well-structured, well-resourced commitment to safety and health with a high degree of employee participation,” Mr Lenegan said. “The level of management commitment is outstanding, with health and safety fully integrated into all operations with a high degree of participation by all. “The company has clear measures of competency and continuous improvement goals with management committed to long-term objectives. The business integrated approach with active and continuous improvement represents industry leading practice.” The judges also awarded a highly commended award to BHP Billiton’s Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara. Another WA company, Kwinana-based engineering and fabrication firm Ausclad Group of Companies Ltd, won the national Safe Work Australia award earlier this year.
