Accepting the award in Brisbane last night, Evolution investor relations and business development vice president Aaron Colleran said Mt Carlton was a great case study for why the company was focused on Australia – and Queensland in particular.
“The rules, regulations and permitting procedures are clear, transparent and fair,” Colleran said, adding that the mine had a “dream” commissioning and ramp-up.
“It’s been a great achievement and an absolute credit to Arlene Rofe, the general manager and her team at Mt Carlton and I accept this award on behalf of them.”
Evolution has five gold and silver mines across Queensland and Western Australia.
The $A180 million Mt Carlton gold-silver-copper mine was formally opened in April and is slated to produce 720,000 ounces of gold, 14.4 million ounces of silver and 25,000 tonnes of copper over its 12-year mine life.
The other two nominees in the miner category were Arrow Energy and Copper Assets Australia Glencore.
Minerals exploration company Red Metal won the explorer of the year award for its recent greenfield achievements across the state.
“We love working in Queensland, the new changes that are going on are making Queensland one of the most attractive states that we have explored in,” Red Metal managing director Rob Rutherford said.
“Certainly there is a lot of suffering but Queensland have recognised they have to do something and they are.”
Red Metal announced yesterday that a drill test on the northern hinge zone copper and gold target at the Maronan prospect in northwest Queensland had been initiated.
The Maronan silver-lead-zinc project lies in an area about 50km south of Cloncurry, which Rutherford hailed as one of the most prospective base metals provinces in the country.
Red Metal beat Cudeco and DGR Global to take the title.
The awards were presented at the close of the first day of the Mining 2013 Resources Convention by Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps.
Companies were nominated based on their considerable achievements within the Queensland resources community in the two categories.
Previous recipients of the awards include Metallica Minerals, Altona Mining, Conquest Mining (now Evolution) and Xstrata Copper.
