Weir Minerals

NEW AGE MINING

Standing as a global player in the mining and aggregates industry, Weir Minerals represents the progressive future of the sector through female inclusion, technological development, and sustainable aims. We speak with Strategy Director, Melissa Davison

Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold

Not only do we need to actively engage in initiatives to attract female participation in the industry, we also need to work on initiatives focused on retaining women. Making sure we have targets and actively seeking out female participation in graduate programmes and apprenticeships is an important step towards helping to address the issue of participation.”

For Melissa Davison, Strategy Director at Weir Minerals (Weir), the allure of working in the mining industry – a male-dominated sector, from workers in the pits to senior management in the boardrooms – extends beyond playing a role in processing the minerals essential to our daily lives. As a female leader, she understands the challenges women face, but knows the importance of increasing female representation.

Based in Australia, Weir Minerals Australia is a division of the larger Weir Group, a well-known global name in international industry, specialising in mining and aggregates.

150 YEARS OF HISTORY

Weir’s legacy in Australia started with one man – Charles Warman. He was a draftsman in Kalgoorlie and, in 1938, he invented a revolutionary new slurry pump with replaceable liners. By 1946, manufacturing had begun in earnest, and as the business grew, so too did its footprint, opening offices in Perth and Sydney. By the end of the 1950s, Warman® pumps accounted for 90 percent of the Australian market. In the 1970s, the company was renamed Warman International and additional manufacturing facilities were built in Todmorden, UK and Madison, USA. Throughout the 1980s, the company expanded into new markets, establishing manufacturing capabilities in China and increasing exports to Latin America. In 1999, Warman International joined the Weir Group and a new chapter began.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that Charles Warman is listed fifth on the list of the top 10 Australian Engineers of the 20th Century and has been inducted into the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame?

The Weir team in Australia is very proud of that history and when the company recently opened a new service centre in Kalgoorlie, they named it the Charles Warman Service Centre.

Timken

Timken and Weir Minerals have had a long association, going back to the 1930s with Warman in Australia. Our strong business relationship continued when Weir Minerals acquired Warman in 1999. During this time, we have seen both Weir and Timken grow into global organisations with global manufacturing and supply chains.

In Australia, the team at Timken had the flexibility to supply and modify bearing assemblies and work with the Weir team on better designs. This flexibility meant the product was available sooner and better suited Weir and their customers. The win-win situation led to many professional friendships which continue today.

Every day, people around the world count on the strength of Timken. Our expertise in metallurgy, friction management and mechanical power transmission helps them accelerate improvements in productivity and uptime. We supply products and services that can help keep your operations moving forward, whether you need drive train kits for commercial vehicles, durable housings for bearings in dirty environments, couplings that avoid metal-to-metal contact between motors and gearboxes, roller chain for dry, abrasive and high-moisture applications or other products and services for your applications. When you choose Timken, you receive more than high-quality products and services: You gain a worldwide team of highly trained and experienced Timken people committed to working collaboratively with you to improve your business

The Team at Timken congratulates Weir Minerals on its 150-year milestone. We look forward to continuing to partner with Weir.

www.timken.com

WEIR OPERATIONS

AT A GLANCE

MINING

Weir technology processes the natural resources vital to continuing economic development. Weir is the market leader in mill circuit equipment used in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

AGGREGATES

Weir offers one of the broadest product ranges for sand and aggregate processing. The company partners with customers to recommend the best configuration of crushers, feeders, washers, conveyors and other comminution equipment.

VALUES

Weir has an unrivalled global service network. The company has become an industry leader by working closely with customers and using its engineering expertise to make customers increasingly efficient.

“Weir engineers and manufactures world-class equipment for mining, sand and aggregates, power, oil sands, and general industrial markets around the world,” Davison tells us. “We are a global leader in the provision of mill circuit technology and services, as well as the market leader in slurryhandling equipment and associated aftermarket support for abrasive highwear applications. Together with Weir ESCO, we are the only global provider of premium mining solutions from extraction to concentration.

“Innovating and engineering to solve customers’ problems is in our blood, it’s the foundation from which this company has been built.”

AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY

For Davison, the industry is at a precipice of change and is one of the most exciting spaces to be operating within. Not only is there a greater awareness of the need for diversity and gender inclusion, but there is also a transition in the way business is conducted. With the recent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology is changing the way we work, with digital forms of communication central to our ability to operate. Weir is not blind to this.

Blackwoods

As a leading supplier of industrial and safety products, nothing is more important to us than helping you get the job done.

Blackwoods has a proud history of supporting Australian businesses for over 140 years and have played a vital part in Australia’s industrial landscape from our inception in 1878 as a specialist supplier to the shipping industry.

Today, Blackwoods is Australia’s largest supplier of MRO, industrial and specialist safety products, offering a complete end-to-end solution. More than 200,000 customers across 77,000 sites depend on Blackwoods for products in categories such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Personal Protective Clothing (PPC), workplace safety, welding, abrasives, industrial gases, power and hand tools, electrical, lubrication, adhesives, and specialised clothing designed for different manufacturing environments.

Over 5,000 suppliers provide Blackwoods with more than 300,000 products via our national network of six Distribution Centres and over 50 branches, as well as a market-leading website and e-commerce solution. We leverage global sourcing capabilities and strategic partnerships with world-class brands and suppliers to source the best products at the most competitive prices.

Blackwoods is a trusted supplier for thousands of manufacturers nationally. We offer a complete solution to help our customers drive a safer, smarter and more productive manufacturing operation. We understand the complexities of operating a manufacturing facility, and the need to maintain high standards when it comes to engineering and safety requirements.

By partnering with Blackwoods you can depend on us for quality, trust and experience. Blackwoods has you covered from head-to-toe. Our range is second to none and instrumental in keeping your business performing at peak productivity.

AUSTRALIAN 140+ YEARS

“Right now, some of the market trends affecting the industry include: resource nationalism, new economy commodities and energy transition, sustainable tailings solutions, intelligent and efficient equipment, underground mobility, transformational ore processing, additive manufacturing, and ESG,” Davison informs us. “Technology has a role to play in all these areas. There is going to be a convergence of technological advancement and environmental, social and governance factors that help drive change.

“Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has forced a faster adoption of digital technologies. Customers are creating digital twins, producers are embracing automated fleets and robotics, and suppliers are making their products smarter, more energy and water efficient, as well as starting to experiment in 3D printing. Augmented and virtual reality is being adopted and, as travel has been restricted, the use of things like smart glasses to commission and inspect equipment is gaining momentum. As there’s a shift towards a growing reliance on complex ore bodies, the adoption of technology required to process it will be key to sustaining supply fundamentals.”

HiTech Electrical Automation

Industry leaders in electrical solutions

We provide complete, award winning turnkey electrical solutions to our clients.

Your electrical infrastructure will be robust and remain reliable thanks to our customised solutions, efficiency and reputation for excellence.

• Design & Manufacture I

Construction I Maintenance • Switchboard manufacture • Custom Motor Control Centres • Containerised switch room builders • Control systems design and integration • Process automation and programming • Motor control, inc VSDs and energy optimising soft starters • Project Management • Electrical maintenance, including statutory compliance • Arc flash mitigation strategies and solutions • Conveyor belt software scales ™ -

MCC integration – Calibration at the push of a button

OUR MISSION

To provide our customers with valued electrical solutions using our expertise in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of electrical equipment and plants.

OUR VISION

SAFETY

As an industry leader, safety is at the forefront of everything we do.

QUALITY

Innovative products and unsurpassed service that, together, deliver premium value to our customers.

ECONOMICAL SOLUTIONS

It’s the way we do business, customising a solution for each customer.

www.hitechelec.com.au

On top of this, there is a significant rise in the realm of sustainability practices. According to Davison, decarbonisation and the advent of battery minerals are a driving force behind substantial excitement and change in the industry. On the back of that, there’s a rise in non-mining companies entering the sector in different shapes and forms as they look to sure up supply chains.

“Undoubtably, ESG is one of the key factors driving change in the industry,” Davison explains. “From decarbonisation to cultivating and maintaining a social licence to operate, operating disclosure will become increasingly important and, in some ways, I believe it will become the new frontier of competition. This will occur as corporate governance frameworks are leveraged and turned into a competitive advantage, attracting talent and the new generation of innovators.

“Recently we’ve seen some of the big players in the industry struggling to build trust and secure their licence to operate. It’s going to become more important as the socially conscious, tech savvy new generation of consumers and investors demand greater transparency.”

Part of this industry and business evolution will involve increasing female representation.

Today, more than one in six mining industry workers are female; 15 years ago, it was one in 10. Female participation in the industry is currently tracking at between 15 to 20 percent, depending on the level within the industry. For Davison, this is a substantial improvement, but the industry has a long way to go, and because of this, mentoring – both formal and informal – plays an important role in the workplace.

“Whether it’s a scheduled mentoring session with a graduate, or simply a casual chat in the office with a new mother on how to navigate the pressures of building a career and being a mum, having my door always open and making the time for these conversations is hugely important,”

Davison reflects. “I’m fortunate to work with some incredibly talented females and males every day, and I continually draw on inspiration from those around me.

APAC OUTLOOK:

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WEIR’S SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE TO THE COMPANY?

Melissa Davison, Strategy

Director, Weir Minerals: “We have an extensive global and regional supply chain that we leverage to deliver the best possible outcome to our customers. That would not be possible without key partners and suppliers. They are a valued and important foundation to our business, and a key success to enabling our regional and global network of operations.

“We are moving large machines and parts across Australia and the world every day and you need reliable and sizeable partners to make that happen. I believe we view our partners as an extension of Weir, and in that sense, we are very careful to make sure that any partner aligns to our code of conduct and ethics.

“As we evaluate our sustainability footprint, we’ll increasingly view our partners with a Scope 3 CO2e lens and having the right partner in this sense will start to become a competitive advantage.”

“Throughout my career, I have been lucky to have many company leaders believe in me, perhaps more than I’ve believed in myself. They’ve pushed and exposed me to great strategic projects. They have mentored, shaped, and encouraged me and I hope I can do the same for others. My mantra is whether you believe in leaning in or leaning out, believe in yourself. Be authentic - be you. But, most importantly, stand to the front; take that seat at the table and put your hand up to take on a project or role. Women are often not wired to do that; we need allies to encourage and promote us and that’s what I hope I can do for others.”

RECOGNISING TALENT

Davison aims to elevate and promote the success of females across Weir wherever and whenever she can. Weir sponsors the Excellence in Mining category for the Women in Industry Awards, highlighting inspirational female leaders, pioneering initiatives, and championing the talent of today and the leaders of tomorrow. Sponsorship of this award aligns with Weir Mineral’s own global inclusion and diversity agenda to ensure the company develops a culture whereby everyone’s voice is heard, and where Weir cares for, respects, and encourages employees. This is aimed at helping champion gender equality within the business and the wider industry.

“In 2020, Weir nominated five of my colleagues for awards across different categories and had one finalist,” Davison tells us proudly. “This year we made three nominations and have two finalists; we have great female talent across the business and it’s important to celebrate and promote this.”

Weir also partnered with AusIMM earlier this year to sponsor International Women’s Day events, an initiative well supported and attended by both men and women across the business.

TECO

TECO congratulates Weir Minerals for reaching their milestone of 150 years in industry -TECO supports all aspects of Weir Mineral’s business here in Australia as well as around the world.

As a client Weir are second to none with their vast engineering resource team selecting the right size electric motor to meet critical requirements. Weir Mineral’s focus on TECO’s expansive selection of Mining Motors allowed for both products to showcase unsurpassed long life over many years.

In today’s tough market environment many other suppliers are reducing “in-built” safety margins at the cost of quality and overall life of the product package, this is an area that TECO and Weir refuse to negotiate upon. For example, TECO designed motors for industry can operate with very low temperature rises which provides comfortable safety margins for the end-user equating to trouble free continuous operation.

If you visit any mine site and see Weir equipment coupled with TECO motors, you can rest assured that it was developed to meet the arduous application and environment, with specifications fully adhered to the solution has been engineered to last.

TECO’s MAXe3 High Efficiency Mining Motors are an example of motors that Weir Minerals trust and have been supplied to numerous projects where the driven equipment has been rotated by a first quality engineered product.

By partnering with Weir Minerals this compliments a vast range of TECO Mining Motors, proven through many successful projects with a determined focus on an uncompromising product with strong end user support.

www.teco.com.au

“As a science graduate myself, I am passionate about creating pathways and promoting female participation in STEM and believe it’s something that needs to be fostered at the school level, as well as at universities,” Davison continues. “Women make great problem solvers and making young girls aware of companies like Weir and the roles that are possible within the industry is invaluable. Weir supports the Women in Mining mentoring programme.”

FEMALE TALENT RETENTION

Internally, Weir also boasts the Weir Women’s Network, an affinity group dedicated to the attraction, retention, and continued development of women in the company. The group is open to all Weir women and their allies who are devoted to working with, supporting, and championing the work of the Weir Women’s Network. Members can engage in quarterly events, networking opportunities, and local-led events.

“I’ve really enjoyed interacting and learning from other talented females across Weir by attending events and expanding my network,” Davison elaborates. “In terms of retaining female workers, there has been a focus over the past couple of years on increasing female representation at the C-Suite and I think it’s starting to have a positive effect. We probably now need to concentrate more on providing pathways that promote female leadership at that mid-management level.

John Crane

John Crane worked closely with Weir Minerals to develop a solution for tailings pump applications, where no water is available.

Our approach was to use John Crane Diamond® seal face technology in our heavy duty slurry seals, to drastically reduce the co-efficient of friction between the faces and be abrasion resistant.

These seals run on high percentage solids and are able to perform even with intermittent dry running from upset process conditions.

We fully met the reliability requirement of this challenge by developing a flush-less slurry seal.

johncrane.com

EagleBurgmann

EagleBurgmann is one of the world’s leading international manufacturers

of industrial sealing technology and manufactures a broad range of highquality products, from technically advanced customer-specific solutions to large-batch products for pumps, compressors and agitators.

Products include mechanical seals, supply systems and a comprehensive range of rubber, fabric and metal expansion joints.

EagleBurgmann’s products are extensively used in areas where safety and reliability are of critical importance. A broad sales and service network throughout Asia Pacific ensures continuous availability and support.

sales@au.eagleburgmann.com

www.pacevalves.co.za

APAC OUTLOOK:

HOW DO YOU RECOGNISE THE EFFORTS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES?

Melissa Davison, Strategy Director, Weir Minerals:

“Empowering our staff is all-important, and providing knowledge and transparency is crucial to this.

“Making sure people are aware of the company strategy, and how they individually are contributing to the bigger picture, is a huge factor towards this. My philosophy is to surround myself with great people with a diversity of views. You hire people because you believe they can do a great job, for their capability, their future ability, or the experience they bring. So, you need to give them the room to do their job.

“I don’t believe in micromanaging. I think if you have mutual respect and an open and honest working relationship, then for me, that’s a good thing.”

“Providing employees with more flexibility is key. I think COVID-19 has forced many organisations to look at their flexible working options. Mentoring and coaching initiatives are vital, as well as having males involved to help build institutional support. It’s important to have acceptance of diversity across the industry and allies at all levels.”

For Weir’s on-site employees, whether in manufacturing or on a mine, access and improvements to conditions and amenities is, for Davison, another area that requires further investment.

“Different companies across the sector are looking at a range of initiatives, including ensuring there is a women’s range of PPE readily available, instead of just offering a men’s range in smaller sizes, with some companies even offering a maternity range,” she explains. “Others are looking at safety gear and adapting designs to cater to the differences in the female physique, such as harnesses that avoid pressure on the chest, as well as increasing sanitary provisions at company facilities. Flexible work arrangements

Flowserve

Flowserve is a leading global mechanical seal manufacturer with 300+ locations in 50+ countries and a market leader in slurry seals.

Through collaborative partnerships with Weir combined with over 30 years of continued product development, field testing and shared experience in critical services, Flowserve offers mechanical seals and systems to outperform in demanding slurry environments including Alumina, Coal, Copper, Gold, Iron, Nickel and Lithium.

Flowserve R&D programs have delivered advanced sealing systems which decreased maintenance expenditures, dramatically reduced water usage, improved safety and reliability and helped reduce plant energy costs while ensuring equipment availability and maximising production throughput.

www.flowserve.com

optibelt

optibelt RED POWER 3 v-belt is specifically made for harsh and demanding pump environments.

It is constructed with a high modulus tension cord and transverse fibre loaded compound that results in a 50% increase in power capacity and greater temperature resistance and energy efficiency compared with standard v-belts.

Belt slip will also be a thing of the past. Optibelt ‘s high technology construction gives you a totally maintenance free (and stress free) result. Optibelt Red Power 3 and Weir Minerals : the perfect partnership for demanding pump applications.

T (03) 8791 2700 E sales@optibelt.com.au

www.optibelt.com

APAC OUTLOOK:

HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO AIM HIGHER AND DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS?

Melissa Davison, Strategy

Director, Weir Minerals: “Helping people find their passion and working on interesting projects is key. Motivation also comes from involvement, making sure that employees know the importance of their contributions to internal and external stakeholders is key.

“On top of this, really getting to know your team, the individuals and what drives them is important. We are all motivated by different things, and it all depends on what stage you are in your life and career. For people early in their career, it might be involvement in strategic projects, while for others it might be taking the lead on something where they feel they are imparting their knowledge. Knowing what drives the individuals in your team, their passions and how everyone works together is crucial.” that accommodate different roster patterns, policies that address inclusion and diversity, and a growing awareness of issues like domestic violence are essential these days.”

At a federal level, the Australian Government launched the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) grants programme, aimed to support investment in gender equity initiatives for the lasting systemic change and elimination of barriers for female workers in both education and careers. WISE aims to provide $9.95 million in its first three rounds.

MOVING WITH THE TIMES

In the face of a growing digital age, Weir is leveraging new technology within its operations in multiple ways. According to Davison, the Weir Innovation Network has become a great breeding ground for embedding new technologies and driving innovation in the business.

“New technologies are being adopted across different departments, from marketing where holograms are being used at conferences to showcase products to customer sites and manufacturing centres where smart glasses are

Heka Group

Working from their extensive Sunshine Coast workshop, Heka Group has the capability to offer services across several industries ranging from residential and commercial building projects, civil works, rail, defence, lock and weirs, mining, to heavy/large scale fabrication and protective coatings projects.

Heka Group’s focus with Weir Minerals projects, relies on the ability to deliver customised industrial sandblasting and paint solutions to highest quality and specification. Heka Group is home to a comprehensive protective coatings facility, with capacity up to 300 m3, offering customised sandblasting, industrial paint solutions and powder coating.

www.hekagroup.com.au

Meeke Engineering

Meeke Engineering is a leading supplier of engineering services to the mining, material handling, construction, infrastructure, energy sector and various other engineering industries.

This includes conventional and CNC machining, Specialised welding and fabrication, hydraulic Cylinders, honing, fitting and refurbishment of mechanical equipment.

We have Quality Accreditation to ISO 9001, OHS Accreditation to ISO 45001 and this is supported by a commitment to constantly seek improvement in the quality of the product and services supplied.

Our sincere thanks to Weir Minerals Australia for their ongoing support over three decades to achieve this goal.

www.meeke.com.au

being used to conduct safety walk throughs, audits and factory acceptance reviews on critical pieces of equipment,” she explains. “Our site engineers are leveraging the latest 3D scanning technology to enable us to design innovative solutions to fit our customer sites.”

In Sydney, Weir operates a foundry, assembly line, machine shop and elastomer rubber shop, which allows it to service domestic customers, while also boasting world-class manufacturing capabilities. Weir is adopting technology in line with the industry, streamlining its operations with Industry 4.0 technologies, such as automation and remote monitoring.

“We’ve just commissioned an eight million dollar capital upgrade of the foundry to semi-automate our processes through the Heavy Bay Fast Shuttle,” Davison continues. “By creating a semi-automated operation, the factory’s capacity and production is improved by allowing more space than traditional methods. The shuttle will be connected to the Weir smart factory network to deliver data on the manufacturing process in real time, leaning into the fundamental capabilities of Industry 4.0.”

Weir’s programmable logic controllers and control systems are modified to include process controls and high-speed digital cameras to monitor the manufacturing process.

By using quality control imaging and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track products and tooling through the process, Weir supports its workers in creating a consistent product with the aid of technology, optimising the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), as Davison elaborates.

“We are able to get critical measurements to determine the rate at which our plant is running,” she tells us. “For example, by using the RFID barcodes embedded into

Momentum

For over 22 years, Momentum has been at the forefront of Workforce Resourcing, Skilled Trades & Professional Staff Recruitment and Consulting to Corporations on labour market trends.

Operating across Australia and New Zealand, our clients can be found in many industry sectors and rely on us to gain their competitive edge by sourcing key skills to meet an everchanging work environment.

As a recruitment partner to Weir Minerals, our primary objectives are to work closely with all stakeholders, understand project requirements, critical timeframes, specialist skill levels and to source candidates on time and job ready.

www.momentumconsulting.com.au

SMC Corporation

SMC Corporation is a key provider of pneumatic and automation solutions to the mining sector - not only in Australia but worldwide through its 83 offices.

As the worlds No1, SMC provides customers with local expertise, local manufacturing and customised engineering solutions for their mining projects.

We have developed products that can withstand the harshest environments, resulting in control systems that are capable of meeting stringent resource industry requirements.

Our 18 locally based engineers are supported globally by 1450 additional engineers and alongside our 88 ANZ technical sales team members will help to ensure 24/7 operation of your equipment.

www.smcanz.com

Weir Manufacturing, Artarmon

Weir Manufacturing, Technical Centre

the castings, we can track everything and gain additional processing and manufacturing insights. The adoption of new technology with the Heavy Bay Fast Shuttle also enhances the company’s management of the materials and products it creates, while simultaneously predicting any errors to encourage preventative maintenance.”

WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

When it comes to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Weir’s goal is to enable the sustainable and efficient delivery of the natural resources essential to create a better future for the world.

“It’s in our ethos to do this by challenging ourselves to see things differently and foster innovative engineering, all in the pursuit of delivering excellent outcomes for our stakeholders,” Davison states. “There is huge pressure on the industry to undergo a technology transformation to reduce energy, water, and waste, while also improving productivity.

“Creating sustainable solutions is a key component of our sustainability roadmap; it’s something that Weir thinks about in the broadest sense. It includes a commitment to zero-harm Weir operations, nurturing our unique culture, and cutting our scope one and two CO2e emissions in half by 2030.”

The company’s partnership with ENGIE, the French multinational utility company operating in the

MDS Marine

MDS Marine specialise in floating equipment on site. Suppling an extensive range of roto-moulded polyethylene flotation modules, possibilities are endless.

Safe access to floating pump pontoons can prove challenging. Larger water level fluctuations can eliminate gangways and floating walkways as options. MDS Marine, came up with a unique solution for Weir Minerals Australia on a recent project. The development of purpose-built service barges.

Key features included: • Low maintenance aluminium construction with MDS Marine polyethylene flotation. • Safety handrails all round for maintenance crew. • Battery Operated outboard eliminates flammable fuel on site.

www.mdsmarine.com

HydraTorque

With over 20 years’ experience, Hydratorque provides the latest technology in hydraulic sales, service & system engineering.

Our team are renowned for consistent quality & service, premier products and technical assistance. Australian owned, Hydratorque are proud to support Weir Minerals & major National and Global customers in the mining, exploration, construction, industrial, agricultural, recycling and marine industries. With close relationships with all major brands and manufacturers including Parker Hannifin / Denison Hydraulics, Rexroth, Eaton, Sauer Danfoss, Sun Hydraulics & Hydraforce.

www.hydratorque.com.au

fields of energy transition, electricity generation and other areas, plays a significant role in supporting Weir’s CO2e reduction initiatives. In July 2020, Weir signed a landmark agreement with ENGIE Australia and New Zealand to source renewable energy for its operations in New South Wales and Queensland.

“The renewable energy from our power purchase agreement represents a reduction of more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2e over the lifetime of the five-year agreement,” Davison says proudly. “We’ve also implemented shutoff initiatives to drive CO2e reductions in our Artarmon manufacturing plant together with lighting upgrades and controls. Recycling and scrap initiatives are also another area we are focusing on to help reduce waste and save materials.”

FROM PAST TO PRESENT

Female inclusion, technological development and sustainable aims are currently core progressive goals for Weir. Davison has had the privilege of watching the company transition, as well as helping be a driving force behind such aims. With a 25-year career spanning the oil and gas, telecommunications, IT, power, and mining sectors, Davison has a breadth of experience that has helped her shape Weir to this day.

“I have always gravitated to more industrial markets and I think it’s an environment I feel most comfortable in,” she tells us. “Throughout my career I have worked with companies such as Shell, Motorola, Schneider Electric and now Weir. Having worked with many multi-nationals I’ve been fortunate enough to work across Asia Pacific, Europe and North America

South East Superior Coatings

South East Superior Coatings is a family owned, ERA approved, Sunshine Coast Queensland, Australian business, that provides protective coating services.

We ensure you receive the right protective coating for your job, no matter how big or small. We offer a vast array of services including Hot Metal Spraying, Powder Coating, Fusion Bonded Epoxy, Thermoplastic, Heat & Fire Proof Coatings, Abrasive Blasting and Industrial coatings, catering to the General Public, Industrial, Mining, Automotive, Agricultural & Marine Industries that require quality protective coating services.

Our ability to respond to the demands beyond the capabilities of other companies, years of knowledge, expertise, compliance, reliable service and quality workmanship.

www.sescoatings.com.au

Weldtech Fabrication

Weldtech Fabrication is a key supplier to Weir Minerals Australia for specialised steel and non ferrous components, ranging from small pump parts to large intricate items.

Weldtech Fabrication would like to thank Weir Minerals and their team for their support and look forward to an ever growing relationship in the future.

www.weldtechfab.com.au

Cavex 2 Hydrocyclone Cluster

Unimech

Unimech (Asia Pacific) Pty. Limited is a subsidiary company to Unimech Berhad Group, one of South East Asia’s largest Valve & Fitting stockists.

With over 50 years industry knowledge Unimech (Asia Pacific) is sure to have every aspect covered when it comes to product supply and technical support.

Having our own manufacturing plants in China and Malaysia as well as a global supply network Unimech (Asia Pacific) is an industry leader within the valve sector catering to everyday demands as well as projects in Australia and abroad.

www.unimech.com.au

Ensuron HPGR

OUR PRODUCTS

• Ball, Gate, Globe, Butterfly, Check Valves & Y Strainers • Pneumatic & Electric Actuation Packages • Materials including Stainless Steel, Cast & Forged Steel,

Cast & Ductile Iron, Special Alloys • Screwed, Socket Weld, Butt Weld & Flanged Connections

OUR SERVICES

• Valving Solutions for Project Quoting & Delivery • Design & Technical Support • Mining, Water, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical • Global Sourcing

sales@unimech.com.au Ph: 02 9600 7179 U9/ 30 Heathcote Rd, Moorebank NSW 2170

www.unimech.com.au

“CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS IS A KEY COMPONENT OF OUR SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP”

– MELISSA DAVISON, STRATEGY DIRECTOR, WEIR MINERALS

on top of having had several global roles. I’ve never shied away from working in more male dominated industries, either; fortunately, I’ve had great leaders and mentors along the way that have really helped shape my career, both at Weir and elsewhere.

“Having no experience in mining and commodity markets, I actively sought out roles in the industry. It was a contract role to work on the annual strategic plan that first brought me into Weir. The fact that the mining and minerals industry is so embedded in our society’s economic engine, as well as being vital to the low carbon future, meant it was a sector I wanted to know more about. I had a steep learning curve, asked an endless number of questions, and immersed myself in industry knowledge from whoever and wherever I could get it. Fortunately for me, Weir is full of great people, and no one has ever shied away from my questions or not been willing to help me learn about the industry.”

Almost six years later, Davison is aware that she is still learning and evolving within the sector and is moving forward to take on a new role within Weir as Regional Managing Director for ESCO Australasia. This new role will see Davison shift focus to a different part of the value chain - extraction.

“I think as people we are constantly morphing, growing, and re-inventing ourselves, and that’s the great thing about a company like Weir. There are opportunities to grow and change and there are great support mechanisms in place to allow that to happen,” she says. “One of the things I love about working in the industry, and at Weir in particular, is the variety. You can go from being in the office in a suit to the manufacturing floor in the same day, then - the next - you might be at one of the service centres or at a customer site in hard hat and boots.

“No two days are ever the same.”

WEIR MINERALS AUSTRALIA

Tel: +61 (0)2 9934 5100 apac.minerals@mail.weir www.global.weir