Last week, West Coast Fever players embarked on a journey off the Netball Court as they paid a visit to Gold Field's Granny Smith mine site, located near Laverton. The purpose of their visit was to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of gold mining operations and to learn about Gold Fields' efforts towards enhancing the sustainability of the mining sector.
During their visit, players Jhaniele Fowler and Sunday Aryang had the opportunity to interact with the local school and community. Additionally, an integral aspect of their visit involved taking an informative surface tour of Granny Smith mine, where they were guided through the entire process of gold extraction and processing.
The tour commenced with a visit to the process plant and the primary crusher. Here, the players were taught about the rich history of Granny Smith mine and were also provided with a firsthand look at the initial stages of the gold processing phase.
Continuing their tour, the players were driven to one of the most impactful facets of Gold Field's operations – their expansive solar farm. This impressive installation boasts more than 23,500 solar panels, contributing to a substantial 20% of the plant's power requirements.
Looking ahead, Gold Fields alongside contract partner Aggreko has boldly committed to a future marked by enhanced renewable energy usage at Granny Smith. Their ambitious plans include doubling the size of the existing solar farm and the construction of an additional wind farm. This substantial expansion aims to elevate the reliance on renewable energy to a remarkable 80% of the entire mine's power consumption.
Image Credit: Aggreko
This unwavering commitment serves as a testament to Gold Fields' dedication to a more sustainable future. Notably, this endeavour has been a collaborative effort, with involvement from Gold Industry Group, showcasing the industry's collective progress towards sustainability.
Concluding the informative tour, the players reached the third and currently active pit within the mine. This pit served as the gateway to the underground operations, offering valuable insights into Gold Fields' multifaceted activities.
During this part of the tour, the discussion encompassed various aspects of Gold Field's operations, notably emphasising the meticulous procedures employed for the safe removal of waste from the underground operations. Furthermore, the group delved into the application of sonar technology, which serves as a crucial safeguard, helping to detect and assess the stability of the underground infrastructure.
The pit itself presented a captivating visual spectacle, characterized by striking veins of white salt meandering through its outer walls. These distinctive salt formations are a notable indicator of the mine's close proximity to Laverton's renowned salt lakes.
The primary objective of the entire tour was to provide the players with a comprehensive understanding of the impact that Gold Fields, along with other funding members, has on Western Australia's economy. Furthermore, it aimed to shed light on their significant contributions to the well-being of the local Laverton community, facilitating its growth and prosperity within the region.
The sheer magnitude of Gold Field's operations in the area became evident during the tour, as Granny Smith mine alone houses more than 900 individuals on-site at any given time. This fact underscores the immense scale of their activities and their pivotal role in driving one of Australia's largest exports while also serving as a vital source of job creation within Western Australia.
Both Aryang and Fowler expressed their gratitude for their participation in the tour, acknowledging that it had significantly enriched their understanding of Gold Field's application in forging a more sustainable future.
The Gold Industry Group renewed its partnership with Netball WA, West Coast Fever and Shooting Stars last year.
This extended the agreement through to next year — which also coincides with the centenary year for Netball WA — after the partnership commenced in 2019.
Kristy Reilly, the CEO of the Gold Industry Group, had the privilege of accompanying the group during their visit to Laverton and the tour of Granny Smith. She expressed how it was an honour to be with the Fever players as they had the opportunity to witness the operational aspects of a gold mine and gain insights into what a mine-of-the-future will look like.