2008 National Mining Awards Recognise The Globally Competitive Australian Mining Sector

Sydney, Sep 18, 2008 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Australian 2008 National Mining Awards held on the 14-16th September, recognise the globally competitive Australian mining sector. Leading the list of achievements are:

The Producer of the year Award: Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG)
The Discovery of the Year Award: Newexco
The Frontier Explorer of the Year Award: Citadel Resources (ASX:CGG)
The Growth Story of the Year Award: Felix Resources (ASX:FLX)
Deal of the Year Award: Gindalbie Metals (ASX:GBG)
Manager of the Year: Worley Parsons (ASX:WOR) for Fortescue Metals
Applied Technology of the Year: Austpac Resources (ASX:APG)

Excellence in Mining & Exploration, Sydney's largest resource sector conference concluded with the National Mining Awards Gala Dinner in the ballroom of the Hilton Sydney. The annual industry program has grown to become a standout event on the resource sector calendar, giving the industry time to reflect on and recognise the past year's achievements.

The award categories and winners for the 2008 National Mining Awards are;

The Producer of the year Award (sponsored by Independence Group NL)
Fortescue Metals Group, for completing the biggest new mineral project in Australia within just 5 years from company formation.

The Discovery of the Year Award (sponsored by Kingsgate Consolidated)
Newexco, for the discovery of the Spotted Quoll deposit for Western Areas in WA which now contains 1Mt at 7.2% nickel.

The Frontier Explorer of the Year Award (sponsored by Mining Journal)
Citadel Resources with Ines Scotland, for securing the first mover advantage in Saudi Arabia with several quality projects including flagship project Jabul Sayid with 74Mt at 1.3% copper.

The Growth Story of the Year Award (sponsored by The Sydney Mining Club)
Felix Resources, for continued strong growth, posting 300% growth in earnings reported in FY08.

The Deal of the Year Award (sponsored by Artemis International Executive Search)
Gindalbie Metals, for securing full project finance for its Karara iron ore project in WA from AnSteel.

Manager of the Year (sponsored by Resource Stocks)
Worley Parsons for Fortescue Metals, for their high quality engineering and project management services at the Fortescue Metals Group project in the Pilbara.

Applied Technology of the Year (sponsored by Australia's Mining Monthly)
Austpac Resources, for developing the world's most versatile, cost effective and environmentally friendly ilmenite upgrading process.

Kerry Stevenson, Managing Director of Resourceful Events, organisers of Excellence in Mining, said "the national mining awards program is a fitting way to round off an event that brings the resources industry and investment community together. Tonight has seen some outstanding Australian mining and mining services companies recognised by their peers, and some very fitting awards across all areas of the industry."

Fortescue Metals Group CEO Andrew Forrest on accepting the Producer of the Year award said that: "Fortescue's culture of never ever giving up has been a driving force in all our achievements. The commitment of every person on our team, including our families and local communities, has been the central tenor in our success, bringing us to where we are today. To be part of Australia's dynamic and globally competitive mining industry sector has been challenging, stressful and huge fun, rewarding for all Fortescue people. No more so than tonight, as we are humbled by the recognition of our industry peers in our pursuit of globally relevant commodity production. "

A full list of all nominees and details about the award categories is below.

National Mining Awards details and full list of nominees

Producer of the year Award (sponsored by Independence Group NL)

New, expanded and sustained production efforts are recognised by the Producer of the Year Award with attention to the value of product, the degree of adversity faced, the quality of management applied and the significance of the effort to production peers.

Nominees:
Fortescue Metals
Kerry Harmanis with Jubilee Mines
Rob Neale with New Hope Coal

Winner:
Fortescue Metals Group

Discovery of the Year (sponsored by Kingsgate Consolidated)

The Discovery of the Year Award is given to the discoverer of a new or emerging resource where size or economic significance of the deposit and, at the discretion of the judges, the ingenuity, scientific endeavour, perseverance, lateral thinking or other human merits have played a contributed to the new resource.

Nominees:
Integra Mining
Newexco
Jabiru Metals

Winner:
Newexco

Frontier Explorer of the Year (sponsored by Mining Journal)

Nominees:
Citadel Resources with Ines Scotland
Central Asia Resources
Globe Metals and Mining

Winner:
Citadel Resources with Ines Scotland

Growth Story of the Year (sponsored by The Sydney Mining Club)

Nominees:
Gloucester Coal
Felix Resources
Aquila Resources

Winner:
Felix Resources
Deal of the Year (sponsored by Artemis Executive Search)

The Deal of the Year Award is for corporate and individual contributions in the re-matching of assets, companies and capital.

Nominees:
Gindalbie Metals
Kerry Harmanis with Jubilee Mines
Rob Neale with New Hope Coal

Winner:
Gindalbie Metals

Manager of the Year (sponsored by Resource Stocks)

Often unseen behind their company leaders are the efforts of the people who do it. Open to any person not an officer of the company, the Manager of the Year Award is open to any person who has led the company or operation to greater productivity. Perhaps this is through better safety, better cultural management or new ways and systems. With so many contenders, Manager of the Year Award is truly the Prize for the deserving.

Nominees:
Worley Parsons for Fortescue Metals Group
Rob Yeates for Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group

Winner:
Worley Parsons for Fortescue Metals Group

Applied Technology of the Year (sponsored by Australia's Mining Monthly)

From the Bronze Age to the Silicon Age, Man's ascent has been driven by the ability to treat rocks with technologies. With the large, shallow and obvious deposits now mostly depleted, we are looking deeper into the earth of resources, using lower grade bulk resources and chasing an extraordinary new spectrum of materials used in our high-tech lifestyles. Technology itself is leading the cause in satisfying these new levels and types of demand. The Applied Technology Award recognises those who have taken the edge forward in its use.

Nominees:
Austpac Resources
Swick Mining
Marminco
Baleen Filters

Winner:
Austpac Resources

Contact

Kerry Stevenson Managing Director Resourceful Events TEL: +61-2-9279-2222 MOB: +61-407-202-758 Email: kerry@resourcefulevents.com Web: www.resourcefulevents.com/mining