MARCH • 2025
The 2024 Year in Review
Overall, 2024 was a successful year for the group. On behalf of the directors and executive management team, thank you for your contribution to the group’s ongoing success.
Overall
Overall, Group business activities generated record revenue of $2.8 billion. This is an increase of $200 million year on year. Personnel numbers total 6,230 full-time employees operating across Australia and globally in Africa, the Middle East, the UK, Canada, USA and South America.
Social License
The Diversity and Inclusion Group (DIG) continues to provide leadership on the diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Group, recognising our very diverse workforce and the importance of respecting each and every individual in our team.
People and Culture
The People and Culture team helps to foster and protect our positive and inclusive work culture.
If you need help in resolving a workplace conflict or you have experienced harassment at work, you can email the People & Culture team at respect@byrnecut.com.au or if you would like to make an anonymous report about a workplace issue, you can use the Safe2Say reporting platform https://byrnecut.safe2say.com.au/
Safety
Clearly occupational health and safety is a critical platform underlying the Group. Every employee would be aware of the required inductions, training processes, procedures and compliances required to undertake their site-specific roles and, in their workplace generally. The fact is we never get to the finish line so we can never get complacent, there is potentially something that will trip us up if we do. The majority of significant events occur as a result of not following the processes and procedures. I would ask that every employee apply common sense and where they see a colleague putting themselves or others at risk, be forthright in addressing them. As always, we encourage every employee to report every issue. You cannot fix what you don’t know.
BOAB
BOAB has assisted more than 220 Indigenous Australians to be employed across the Group and conducts training of Indigenous recruits for third parties. BOAB continues to expand its services to third parties outside the Group
Lil'miners
The Lil’miners club now has 620 kids enrolled. This initiative gives employees' children some insight into what Mum and/or Dad do when they head off to a mine site.
Training
Training is a critical part of the success of our business and we continue to invest heavily in that across the spectrum. Most importantly is ensuring all employees have a fundamental understanding of their obligations in respect of safe work practices and applying those diligently. It will come as no surprise that many safety incidents come as a result of not following the correct process and procedures, sometimes with tragic consequences.
- Apprentices – In 2024 there were 212 apprentices in the areas of Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic, Electrician, Boilermaker and Auto Electrician. 2024 saw 42 apprentices graduate from their course, and an additional 8 complete a trade upgrade.
- Registered Training Organisation (RTO) – Byrnecut is a Registered Training Organisation. Currently there are 487 group personnel undertaking RTO Certificate 2 and Certificate 3 courses in Metalliferous Underground Mining. It is a credit to all those undertaking the commitment which results in a nationally recognised certificate of training. In addition to the Bravo Training and Induction Centre there is a training and induction centre operating in South Australia near the Adelaide airport.
- Simulator Training – at the Bravo Perth office training centre 418 personnel undertook truck and loader training on very sophisticated simulators which mimic the underground environment in which they will work. The simulators apply the same logic as aircraft simulators, with movement, noise and vision across a range of scenarios and emergencies.
- Mental Health First Aid – Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps empower individuals by equipping them with the knowledge of mental illness, treatments and appropriate first aid strategies while building confidence in providing first aid and reducing the stigma related to mental health. MHFA training forms part of many industries' compliance measures for management teams. 298 employees voluntarily attended Mental First Aid courses in 2024.
- Supervisor Leadership – the course has been modified to reflect the WA legislated requirements to the appropriate WHS statutory certificate. The course is generally applicable to supervisors in other jurisdictions. 187 employees attended Supervisor Leadership courses in 2024.
- Site-Based – Across all business units and all sites, nationally and internationally, personnel must undertake formal training before undertaking specific roles or tasks. This training is structured and includes both theory and practical assessments. Each and every employee’s training record for each and every site worldwide is held on a database available for access as and when required. There are more than 30,000 current and former employees training records held in the data base.
SANO
SANO is an industrial safety, health and wellbeing business providing programs across industry for leadership, performance, mental wellbeing, fatigue management, injury prevention and site compliance audits. SANO continues to expand its offering and is doing a power of work in the mental health space, including increasing the number of mental health first aid courses. The programs provided by SANO and its consultants have been very well received by Group entities and third-party clients.
Maintenance
Electrical and mechanical maintenance is a critical component of the Group business. Every item of major mobile plant is monitored on the maintenance database to track performance and events in real time. To appreciate the scale of that, the Group owns and operates more than 1,000 pieces of specialised underground mining equipment (development jumbos, production and bolting jumbos, raise boring machines, Rhino box holes, underground trucks, underground loaders, spray mechs, underground agitators, charge up machines, graders, integrated tool carriers, etc.) and some 1,200 light vehicles. Fleet replacement value is, order of magnitude, plus $1.5 billion. To put it in perspective, Byrnecut Group owns the largest underground mining fleet in the world.
The group works closely with suppliers and continues its rollout of sophisticated systems to provide real time data on all major plant to further improve safety, reliability and productivity. This includes real-time tracking of machine violations, such as excessive brake applications, engine overspeed and so on.
Innovation
Innovation is occurring across the Group, based on the philosophy that if we stop investing in innovation, it is just a matter of time before we get overtaken. An innovation register has been set up online to coordinate all innovation projects across the Group to allow for cross-pollination of ideas. Everyone in the Group is encouraged to put forward ideas for improvement in the way we work. Many of the best and practical ideas come from those using the tools “at the face”. Battery electric equipment trials will proceed during 2025 with the purchase of 6 Sandvik 518iB LHDs along with Rivian battery electric light vehicles.
Australian Mine Contracting
New contracts awarded during 2024 include Sand King gold mine and the RASP base metals mine. Contracts at existing operations were awarded, renewed or extended, including Havieron care and maintenance, Paddington gold mine, Jundee gold mine, Thunderbox gold mine, Water Tank Hill gold mine and Invincible gold mine.
The Prominent Hill shaft sink advanced to a depth of 931 metres.
International
Internationally new contracts were awarded for the Jabal Sayid mine in Saudi Arabia and the Sanbrado mine in Burkina Faso with a contract extension committed at the Wolfshag Mine in Namibia and the Fekola Mine in Mali. Bidding continued across the world, with the latest awarded contract being the Yaouré gold mine at the Perseus CMA project in Côte d’Ivoire. Investment to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia continues.
Raise Drilling
Raising Australia took delivery of its ninth Rhino box hole drill (8 in Australia, 1 at the Jabal Sayid copper mine in Saudi Arabia), complementing the existing 8 raise drills. The division continues to be very active across Australia
Jetcrete
Jetcrete, the largest mine shotcreting group in Australia, had a record year. Jetcrete also undertakes contract cable bolting. Internationally, in the USA and Canada, business continues to develop its brand.
Mining Plus
Mining Plus had a difficult year in relation to international activity in Peru and the UK. Accordingly, these divisions were wound up. Conversely, in line with expansion plans for the Middle East, Mining Plus Middle East was established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Quattro
Quattro had a successful year. Expansion of its footprint in the paste fill space continued nationally and internationally. Quattro’s brand has developed to be the go-to group for paste fill execution. Sales of in-house designed and developed products for underground mining expanded.
Murray Engineering
Murray Engineering increased revenue. The Western Australian activities have progressed well, generating profits in the closing months. Rationalisation of activities at the Newcastle branch continue in an effort to turn this division into a sustainable profit centre. Overall, Murray Engineering provides critical support to the massive group fleet.
FUZE
FUZE Solutions continues to develop its brand and is building an innovative reputation. Operationally the business is very active. The order book is expanding. Increased sustainable revenue is required to lift the business to be a profitable contributor.
In Summary
The Group is a large, complex business employing over 6,000 personnel all over the world, from many different countries and cultures. Many of those personnel work on a FIFO roster away from their loved ones and families. We sincerely thank all personnel and their loved ones and families at home for supporting your partner whilst away at work.