MAREEBA TECHNICAL COLLEGE A proposal to utilise the facility which was the Mareeba Agricultural College as a training centre for the Mining Industry and other trades training purposes. Presented by Graham Reveleigh

Mareeba Agricultural College 26 ha. site located near Mareeba on Atherton Tableland west of Cairns Moved to Department offices in Mareeba 2 years ago Site was leased by Qld Government to TAFE for $1.00 per year This is the LAST facility of its type in FNQ and the site has been idle for 2 years

The Site

The Facilities

2 story class rooms Farm house 2 machinery sheds Industrial workshops Tobacco drying shed Water supply – including a dam Commercial orchid

The FNQ Branch of AusIMM believes that geologists are graduating with a ticket – but insufficient skills. We seek to utilise the facility for field training of mining and exploration industry personnel, to address this problem. eg. The Original Idea TRADES Drilling and blasting (quarry available) 4WD vehicle operation and maintenance Plant operator PARA-PROFESSIONAL GIS and Survey Sampling of all types Mining & environmental law OH&S The importance of the job Bush and Desert survival

People who would be targeted for this training include: Graduate geologists Field assistants Drillers and offsiders Environmental technicians Prospectors RESEARCH SITE – MINE REHABILITATION The site could also be used for research into mine site rehabilitation, eg. testing of suitable plants for fixing base metals in tailings, and Weipa red mud.

Public Meeting A Public meeting was convened in Mareeba, with Rob Ryan in the Chair. Numerous other Trades Training groups turned up and showed extreme interest, as there is no other facility in NQ. Subsequently, the Petroleum industry has shown keen interest in using the facility also.

Current State of Play The Qld Government is determined to sell the facility Letter with the Minister asking for another arrangement Steering Committee will meet when reply is received In the interim raise support and promise of finance: –Purchase –Replace roof –Fittings –Accommodation –Management If the facility is passed to the Steering Committee, a Trust will be formed to operate and maintain it.

Take Home Message If you are interested, or wish to assist financially, please contact Steering Committee Rob Ryan Tamara Shroj AusIMM Graham Reveleigh Cummings Economics Jennifer Brownie