AWABA Colliery, an underground Centennial Coal Company mine south of Newcastle, has been awarded Australian Mine of the Year at the 4th Annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards gala ceremony last night.  
Awaba’s management impressed the judges in how they extended the mine’s life by two years; the result: an additional two million tonnes of saleable product.  
Other award winners included Thiess Queensland executive mining manager Simone Wetzlar who was awarded Mine Manager of the Year.
Simone was rewarded for raising the profile of women in the industry, and increasing diversity in the workplace.  
The Australian Mining Prospect Awards, which recognise best practice and innovation in the Australian mining industry, is one of the most esteemed and recognised awards programs for the mining and minerals processing industries.  
Winners and Highly Commended recipients were as follows:  

Australian Mine of the Year Winner: Awaba Colliery Keith Falconer
Tel: 02 49 503420  
Highly Commended:  Beltana Coal Mine James Rickards
Tel: 02 9253 6789  

Mine Manager of the Year Winner: Simone Wetzlar, Thiess Queensland executive mining manager Simone Wetzlar
Tel: 0419 639 582  
Highly Commended: Keith Falconer, Awaba Colliery Keith Falconer
Tel: 02 49 503420  

Best Contract Miner of the Year Winner: AVKO Mining Paul Hurley
Tel: 08 9021 5581                    
Highly Commended: Leighton Contractors’ Mining Division / HWE Mining Jessica Bowker
Tel: 08 9389 4869  

Best Metalliferous Mine of the Year Winner: Ridgeway Copper-Gold Mine Alex Mumme
Tel: 02 6392 2502  
Highly commended: KCGM Super Pit Danielle van Kampen
Tel: 08 90933 488  

Mining Employer of Choice Winner: Argyle Diamond Mine Ray Chamberlain Tel: 0404 450 891  

Coal Mine of the Year Winner: Awaba Colliery Keith Falconer
Tel: 02 49 503420  
Highly Commended: Beltana Coal Mine James Rickards
Tel: 02 9253 6789  

Minerals Processing Plant of the Year Winner: Alcoa Kwinana Refinery Louise Boylen
Tel: 08 9316 5895  
Highly Commended: Gingko Mine Geoff Wedgwood
Tel: 07 3210 7900  

Excellence in Mine OH&S Winner: Cornwall Coal Mine Rescue Team, Chloe Bryce
Tel: 07 3335 3222  
Highly Commended: HWE Mining, Leighton Contractors Mining Division Margaret Lynch
Tel: 07 3215 4108  

Community Partnership of the Year Winner: Oxiana Nancy Bellistri
Tel: 03 8623 2200  
Highly Commended: Alcan Stefano Bertolli
Tel: 07 3218 3555  

Excellence in Environmental Management Winner: Alcan Stefano Bertolli
Tel: 07 3218 3555  
Highly Commended: Cement Australia Chloe Bryce
Tel: 07 3335 3222  

Innovative Mining Solution Winner: JS Melbourne Controls John Melbourne
Tel: 03 9794 0388  
Highly Commended: Myuna Colliery Terry O'Brien
Tel: 02 49 700 221  

Explorer of the Year Winner: Avoca Resources Rachael Cutler
Tel: 08 9226 0625  
Highly Commended: Castlemaine Goldfields Wessley Edgar
Tel: 03 5472 3411  

Outstanding Contribution to Mining Winner: Jeff Whittle, Whittle Consulting
Tel: 03 9836 9644  
Highly Commended: Pat Stephenson, AMC Consultants
Tel: 03 8601 3300  

For more information about the Awards, contact Daniel Hall on 02 9422 2909, or email daniel.hall@reedbusiness.com.au.  

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