Yancoal has celebrated 13 production operators who worked at its Premier Coal mine and are now retiring.
The retirement of these workers was marked by an afternoon tea celebration and presentation held on September 7.
Each production operator celebrated served more than 10 years at Premier Coal mine, and they all contributed a combined 440 years of service to the operation.
The production operators who were honoured include:
- Peter Davidson who served for 10 years
- Trevor Welsh who served for 11 years
- Mark Malatesta who served for 11 years
- David Laird who served for 33 years
- Peter Bignell who served for 37 years
- Steven Harms who served for 39 years
- Brett Simm who served for 40 years
- Kevin Milligan who served for 41 years
- Michael Hollins who served for 42 years
- Brian Tanian who served for 42 years
- Brian Tonkin who served for 44 years
- Peter Pianta who served for 45 years
- Robert Graham who served for 52 years.
Premier Coal operations manager Braedon Gaske thanked the retirees for their dedication to the mine site.
“This is a big milestone for Premier Coal, and we were thrilled we could celebrate together at the event. We are extremely grateful for all the individuals’ dedicated service to the mine,” Gaske said.
“They were all hardworking, skilled, knowledgeable, and integral members of the team, who will not be forgotten. Some of these employees started when they were 15 years old and have worked in several roles over the decades.
“They have also witnessed a lot of change in the mining industry over that time and this knowledge will be missed on site.”
Last week, Yancoal welcomed year 11 students from John Calvin Christian College to its Premier coal mine as part of their geography class.