Embargoed until 21 October 2009 – 9pm
Blackwater’s Wesfarmers Curragh mine has won the Minerals and Energy category at the 20th annual Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards held in Brisbane tonight (21 October).
Congratulating the winners, Trade Minister Stephen Robertson said that Wesfarmers strategy of dealing directly with international steel mills had seen its exports grow in recent years.
“The importance of mining and minerals exporting to Queensland’s economy cannot be underestimated. It is our largest export industry, and preliminary figures for the 2008-09 financial year show that coal mining produced more than $30 billion in export revenue for the State,” Mr Robertson said.
“Wesfarmers Curragh Pty Ltd is a 100 per cent Australian owned producer of quality metallurgical coal for the export market.
“Wesfarmers Curragh’s export success has been assisted through building direct relationships with select international steel mills, culminating in strong export results to all major steel mills in Asia, Europe and South America.
“As a result, export volumes from Curragh mine have almost trebled since 2000, and the company is a deserved winner of this Award,” Mr Robertson said.
Stewart Butel, Managing Director of Wesfarmers Curragh said that the company’s direct business approach had facilitated better understanding of the customer’s business and better market outcomes for all involved.
“Our sales volumes from Curragh mine have shown remarkable resilience during the global financial crisis. Export sales increased substantially in the past year despite the largest reduction in international demand in 40 years,” Mr Butel said.
“Strong export sales made it possible for us to continue full production at Curragh mine throughout the global financial crisis.
“During 2008-09, world pig iron production plummeted by 21 per cent but Curragh’s export sales increased by 12 per cent during the same period, quite an achievement.
“The company currently employs more than 1400 people, including contractors, with key export customers in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Brazil and Europe, and is a major supporter of apprenticeships and graduate employment to develop fruitful careers.”
Mr Robertson wished Wesfarmers Curragh every success as the company progresses to the Australian Export Awards in November, and congratulated North Queensland businesses, BHP Billiton Cannington and Sun Metals Corporation on being named as finalists in the Minerals and Energy category in 2009.
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