On Saturday the bodies were flown by military aircraft to a secure facility in the nation’s capital, Brazzaville, with the formal identification process underway.

A senior Congolese government delegation, including the country’s prime minister, paid their respects as the bodies arrived.

“The company is working in close cooperation with the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Congolese authorities to ensure an appropriate and dignified process is followed to effect repatriation in a timely manner,” Sundance said.

“Upon the completion of all necessary procedures in Brazzaville, including formal identification, a specialist repatriation team will continue to work toward repatriation.

“The families of the deceased have been kept informed of the progress being made.

“The strong support of the Congolese government in the recovery operation is greatly appreciated by Sundance Resources along with the assistance and cooperation of the Australian, French, US, and British governments.”

After several days of searching, the plane wreckage was discovered on the western ridge of the Avima Range near the Gabonese border.

Nine passengers, mainly Sundance board members, were confirmed to be on the flight to the company’s flagship Mbalam iron ore project.

The plane was flying from Cameroon’s capital Yaounde to Yangadou in the Congo.

Apart from Talbot, who owned 16% of Sundance through the Talbot Group, other Sundance board members on the flight included chairman Geoff Wedlock, managing director and chief executive officer Don Lewis and non-executive directors Craig Oliver and John Jones.

Company secretary John Carr-Gregg was also on the flight along with Jeff Duff of risk management consultancy Dynamiq, which advised Sundance.

Talbot's executive secretary Natasha Flason, a French national, was also on board as well as a British citizen and the two pilots.

Hollows on Talbot

Macarthur chief executive Nicole Hollows, one of the most prominent women in the mining industry, paid her respects to Talbot last week.

“Ken Talbot was not just the founder of Macarthur Coal – he was the driving force behind our company for over a decade,” she said.

“When I took over as CEO in January 2007 I said that Ken was a hard act to follow. I have some way to go and a lot more to achieve before I am in the same league as Ken Talbot.

“The ‘can do’ attitude of the company was entrenched by Ken and the original team who experienced the growing pains together.

“Ken was often spoken of as an entrepreneur but in truth he created opportunities and then shared them with the people around him.

“Many people who have worked alongside him enjoyed his unique ‘work hard, play hard’ approach – myself included.”

She said this approach lived on at Macarthur.

“When Ken left us as a CEO in early 2007 he left behind many friends and colleagues. In recent days they have spoken of his incredible generosity, loyalty and tenacity.

“When I took over as Macarthur’s CEO over three years ago I was aware I was stepping into big shoes.

“I also had the opportunity of experiencing that drive and tenacity directly by working for Ken for over eight years.

“He was acutely aware of the challenges involved in leading a company, and mentored and pushed me so I would be ready when the time came – which was earlier than any of us anticipated.

“His old colleagues talk openly about his legendary generosity and I would like to stress that this generosity was not just financial.

“It was almost 10 years ago that Ken said to me ‘I want you to think more like an executive and less like an accountant!’

“So, on a personal level, I do not believe I would be where I am today if it was not for the opportunities that Ken created for me.

“As an old-school miner, he was also something of a pioneer in allowing me to work part time as CFO of a listed company when I started a family in 2005.

“He was incredibly loyal and passionate and the opportunities he created were shared with those who helped him reach his goals.

“Those of us that were on the journey to build Macarthur Coal learnt what could be achieved when you take calculated risks and don’t take no for an answer.”