new gold producer, page-43

Beaconsfield boss strikes gold Font Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Andrew Trounson | August 15, 2007
MATTHEW Gill, the former Beaconsfield gold mine manager who oversaw the dramatic rescue in 2005 of two entombed miners after a cave-in, is returning to the industry as managing director of Perth-based Monarch Gold.

An inquiry into the causes of the Beaconsfield rockfall is ongoing, but Monarch chairman Michael Kiernan said he had no doubts about the competence of Mr Gill.

"He is a very well qualified, experienced and competent man," Mr Kiernan said. "In my mind there is no doubt that he handled the situation very, very well. He is obviously a person who can operate under stress."

Mr Gill has been widely praised for his role in securing the rescue of miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb, who were trapped for two weeks after the Anzac Day rockfall. He has been criticised by Mr Webb for denying any knowledge of safety concerns raised by miners ahead of the tragedy that killed another miner, Larry Knight.

A much-delayed report on the incident by Greg Melick QC is expected to be completed by the end of the month and submitted to the Tasmanian Coroner.

Mr Gill yesterday declined to be drawn on the circumstances of the rockfall at Beaconsfield, saying the inquiry still has to run its course. It wouldn't distract him from this new job, he said.

"I keep it in perspective and am looking forward. I obviously have my own views" on the incident, he said.

Mr Gill, who worked at Beaconsfield, in Tasmania, for 11 years, quit the mine in March, just after it received final approval to reopen. Since then, he has taken time out to have a holiday and has been doing some consulting.

Yesterday, he said he had been considering leaving Beaconsfield ahead of the rockfall. "I am excited. It is obviously a step up for me, which is what I am after," he said.

Monarch has brought in Mr Gill for his operational mining expertise, as it looks to grow production from its operations north of Kalgoorlie.

He will take over from current Monarch boss Allan Quadrio in the next three months.

Earlier this month, Monarch started production at its Davyhurst open cut mine.

It is aiming to grow production from its various gold prospects to 500,000 ounces a year by 2009. "This opportunity just stood out, given where Monarch was at," Mr Gill said.

Mr Quadrio is moving to head up another of Mr Kiernan's mining companies, iron ore junior Territory Resources.

His appointment at Territory will allow Mr Kiernan to step back from day-to-day management there to focus on corporate moves. Territory is in a takeover battle for Consolidated Minerals.