Full Production with Peter Finn

There's no doubt that there are a few headaches within the mining industry. It's just a question of tackling these issues head on, finding solutions and looking to future generations to take on the mining legacy.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

On this episode of Full Production, I had the opportunity to speak with Nick Fardell, The Nationals WA senate candidate. Nick has travelled over 32,000 kilometres on an extensive campaign tour in order to hear the voices of the people at the base line, and bring concerns to the forefront before the regional elections. Originally from Broken Hill, NSW, Nick worked multiple roles within the resources industry before settling in Goldfields for over 20 years. Nick's knowledge of the mining industry is deep, and he can see the pain points of the workers of today that need to be addressed and tackled more thoroughly.

As a man who pulls no punches, Nick directed our conversation towards some of the bigger topics that have been at the forefront of discussion for those in the industry, such as the importance of apprenticeship schemes and embracing technology to help move Australian industry forward.

Our conversation spanned so many different avenues and was packed with so much insightful information about the future. Here's some more points that we covered:

• The perceptions non-miners have of the industry
• Nick's current campaign and his journey around the region
• Surrounding yourself with smarter people than you
• The trials of the agricultural industry
• What services the mining industry should be offering to its worker
• Mental health concerns within mining
• Developing a balanced approach to the economy
• Why people are turning towards smaller political parties
• How having hands on life experience makes you a better politician
• Nick's mining background
• Taking new opportunities to develop your skills
• Learning lessons from the older generation
• The integration of automation
• Why listening and getting involved should be a politician's priority
• Why 'having a go,' is the best way

Links:

Nick Fardell - LinkedIn

Nick Fardell - Twitter

Nick Fardell - Facebook

The Nationals WA

There's a bright future for the mining industry, particularly if you have the right people and practices in place.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

My guest this week is Zane Prickett, the innovative entrepreneur with an extensive background within the mining industry. Back in 2003, he graduated as a chemical engineer from the Colorado School of Mines, and quickly found himself on a global escapade, taking on oil field service work in Egypt and Thailand, before settling down in Perth.

Currently, he is the founding director of UnEarthed Solutions, an open innovation program for the global resources sector. UnEarthed has accumulated an impressive portfolio, collaborating with large resource companies such as BHPBilliton, Anglo American and Newcrest. Parallel to this, Zane is the director and founding member of StartupWA, a not-for-profit, representative organisation which promotes the growing technology start-up sector in Western Australia, as well as acting director of CORE Resources Innovation Hub.

In this week's episode, we're getting to the heart of developments in the geology world as well as the importance of data collection, autonomous mining and future developments in mining safety.

Here's some further talking points that we cover:

• Zane's background and his journey to Australia
• Remote workers and the importance of connection
• How Zane utilizes hackathons to develop innovative ideas
• Seeing other companies as peers, not competitors
• Preparing for change within the industry
• Why concise data presentation is so important
• Paving the way for the future innovators
• Investing in workers
• The overshadowing negative press in regards to the mining industry
• What Zane is excited about moving forward

Links:

Zane Prickett - LinkedIn

Zane Prickett - Twitter

Unearthed Website

CORE Innovation Hub website

StartupWA

Your success in any part of life really comes down to how you approach it – your mindset, and the mental and emotional tools you've got in place to handle the challenges.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

Josh Doutch is a great example of a self-made success story in the mining industry. At 32, Josh has three, count 'em, three trades under his belt and a growing auto electrical services business that employees 10 people based in Perth – not to mention stints working in Saudi Arabia and Africa along the way.

What you'll learn from Josh's story is that no matter where you start out, with the right mindset and mental tools in place, as well as a bit of elbow grease, you can make great things happen, not only for yourself but also for those around you. Josh is a guy who really is an inspiration for the future of mining.

Here's some of what we dig into in this conversation:

• His journey from humble beginnings in Kalgoorlie to self-made businessman
• Uncovering his indigenous heritage
• Lessons from the ebbs and flows of mining
• Developing a fresh mindset, and overcoming the traps of mining life
• Losing then rediscovering his passion for mining
• Why he believes mining is a beautiful industry
• Finding the mental tools to thrive in the industry
• Thoughts on finding and developing top staff
• Creating an environment that brings out the best in people
• Leading by example and making a difference in people's lives
• The role of martial arts in his personal development
• Understanding the six keys for a fulfilled life (or is it seven?)
• A call out to forward-thinking auto sparkies looking for work

Links:

Josh on Facebook

Josh on Linkedin

Voltaic Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning

Voltaic Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning - Facebook

There's always room for change and progression. When you come across someone who embraces the new evolutionary stages of the mining industry with intrigue and determination, you can't help but feel excited about the future.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

On Full Production this week I'm catching up with a long-time friend of mine, Declan Franzmann. Declan has been a part of the mining industry for 25+ years. He is currently the vice president of Black Mountain Metals, a metal mining company specializing in fronting projects from development into production. He has a wealth of experience in the mining industry, from being at the coalface, to mine re-openings and planning.

Our conversation really delves into his mining background, touching on how his great-great-great grandfather was a mining pioneer, as well as discussing the changing industry, the global market for metals and how that could affect mining across Australia.

Our chat covers a lot of ground including:

• Developing mining sites and communities abroad
• His education and the different paths it led him down
• Staying on site and the diverse characters you meet
• FIFO, and Declan's mining trips to Chile
• Working on large mining projects, and overcoming obstacles
• Declan's air legging days, and his fond memories
• How electric vehicles are going to mean big business for miners
• Why there is currently a lot of uncertainty in the mining community
• Dealing with the anxieties of business stability.

Links:

Declan Franzmann - LinkedIn

Black Mountain Metals - Website

Although there is a continuous evolution occurring within the mining industry, there are still some areas that need addressing.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

On today's episode, we chat with FACE Contracting's newly appointed GM, Dean Vallve. Dean is committed to shifting attitudes within the mining industry, particularly when it comes to people and processes. With a background in geology and mining engineering, he is a great resource for industry knowledge.

In our conversation, Dean takes this opportunity to give some insight into his background. He also shares how communication is key to a well-functioning workforce, developing support networks and respecting your workers.

In this episode, we also discussed:

• Dean's experience with FACE's interview process
• The importance of clear communication
• How the mining industry is evolving
• Treating people like people, and how to attract new quality recruits
• Nurturing workers and providing support
• Facing challenges and changing the norms
• Listening to and learning from the older generation of miners
• The benefits of suitable and sustainable work rosters
• Why planning your future in mining is crucial
• How changing your approach reduces conflict and increases relatability
• Dean's thoughts on studying, working and maintaining family life
• The effect of having supportive partners

Links:

Face Contracting - website

Full Production - podcast

Dean Vallve - LinkedIn

There's an old saying that charity begins at home. With an increasingly disconnected mining workforce, Miners' Promise proves just how true and immensely valuable it is.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

Geniene is the Family Support Adviser at the not-for-profit, member-based support organisation, Miners' Promise. She joins us on this episode to spread the word of the organisation's phenomenal work in assisting miners and their families in times of need – whether that's emotional, financial or practical support.

For anyone working in the mining and resources sector, it's essential that you know about the amazing work of Miners' Promise and how you can support it – it could prove a lifeline when you and your family most need it. Let's spread the word.

Here's some of what Geniene shares with us on this episode:

• What is Miners' Promise
• Geniene's own journey from outback health promotion to counselor
• What attracted her to Miner's Promise and their work
• The mission of Miners' Promise
• What kind of support it offers miners and their families
• Why Miners' Promise is much more than just a type of insurance
• How to not get swallowed up by grief when things go wrong
• What the future for Miners' Promise holds
• How you can get involved

Links:

Miners' Promise website or phone 1300 124 014

Miners' Promise on Facebook

Vitalis Legal website

There's a certain type of person whose passion, enthusiasm and belief can really bring a place to life. So too with an industry like mining. Ashok Parekh is definitely one of those people.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

Ashok is another one of those great Kalgoorlie-Boulder characters that we've done a bit of a series on recently. Ashok's is truly one of those stories of pulling yourself up from your bootstraps and working your way to great success.

From losing his mother in Ireland at four-and-half years old, to arriving in Kalgoorlie as a penniless young man, to becoming one the city's most prominent business people. Today, he's owner of a thriving accounting practice, a publicly listed mining company and a couple of hotels, just for starters.

It's an inspiring tale, and one full of great advice and thoughts for anyone starting out, moving on, or moving up in the mining world.

Here's some of what we unearth in this episode:

• Ashok's early journey from Dublin boarding school at 4½ to a new life in Kalgoorlie
• Why you should never forget where you came from
• Kicking off his own accounting firm in Kal.
• Selling the benefits of Kalgoorlie (lots of jobs and inexpensive housing, for a start)
• Thoughts on mining, politics and what needs to be done
• How Kalgoorlie and mining is evolving and what the future looks like
• Thoughts on starting and running a publicly listed company
• Thoughts on investing in mining opportunities
• Why he's so excited about mining and Kal. In particular
• His passion for sports and his incredible memorabilia collection

Links:

Ashok Parekh & CO - Website

Ashok Parekh & CO - Facebook

Ashok Parekh & CO - Twitter

Ashok Parekh & CO - Instagram

Having the right opportunities and support in the developmental stages of your young life can put you on track towards a great future.

Each Wednesday, join me, Peter Finn, managing director of FACE Contracting, as I navigate the ups and downs of the mining industry with forward-thinking professionals from all walks of life. If you're involved in the mining industry in any way – whether you're a lifer or a high-school student looking to make the leap – Full Production is the podcast for you.

Today we're talking with Henry Papertalk, the operations officer at The Clontarf Academy, to discuss the amazing work that they are doing for the indigenous male youth in Kalgoorlie.

We chat about the role that Henry plays in the boy's development at Clontarf, as well as his own personal journey from football to mining.

Here are some of the things that Henry and I discuss:

• His journey from transient youth to Kalgoorlie local
• How football is a great motivator
• Henry's experiences in the mining industry and what he loves about it
• How a chance meeting whilst playing football led to his new career
• His thoughts on how to help the indigenous youth of today
• Looking after the future and retaining local culture
• The activities and programs that the boys are involved in at Clontarf
• How the local community can contribute to their development
• What the community can do to get involved
• The conversations we should be having around aboriginal society
• What makes Henry excited and nervous about the future

Links

Clontarf Foundation - Website

Clontarf Foundation - Facebook