1 May 2007

Auction nets underground Huntly East Mine visit

A bid to support St Anthony’s Catholic School camp fundraising netted local resident, Robert Beverland one of the more unusual items on offer – a visit underground at Solid Energy’s Huntly East Mine.

Brainchild of Grant Rayner, East Mine’s Maintenance Manager, the opportunity to visit and experience the unique environment of an underground coal mine was hotly contested at the auction which finally raised a total of $5,200 towards the senior student’s trip to Wellington.

“Mining is and always has been very much a part of Huntly,” says Mr Beverland. “We have been curious about what it’s like underground and so have members of my family as we are presently involved with gas exploration from coal seams and this was a great way to see the underground geology first-hand.

“We’ve only recently taken up the prize because we always seem to be busy at different times and this has been our first opportunity to do this as a family,” he says.

“It was indeed very different. We’ve gained a greater appreciation of not only the day-to-day work environment, but being escorted by Grant who has long experience in the local mining industry, also the planning, complexities and technology involved. It was well worth it. We would like to thank Solid Energy for their support of the local community which gave us the opportunity to venture underground and observe the tough conditions they work in.”

Starting as a fitter at the former central workshops, in his more than 20 years experience Grant has fulfilled a variety of maintenance roles, worked as a surface controller at East Mine and in 2005 studied for and completed his Mine Deputy qualification. Grant’s father and both his grandfathers also worked in the industry.

ENDS

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