Premier launches history of Wesfarmers Premier Coal

4/4/03
Premier Geoff Gallop today launched the book '50 years of Powering Western Australia', a history of Wesfarmers Premier Coal.
Launched at the Premier Coal Mine in Collie, the book is a valuable historical document of a company that has made a significant contribution to the State's economic development.
Written and co-ordinated by Curator of History at the WA Museum, Dr Sue Graham-Taylor, the book tells of the struggles faced by Wesfarmers Premier Coal in becoming one of the State's leading energy providers.
"For 50 years, the company has helped fuel the growth of Western Australia," Dr Gallop said.
"Yet it has faced many challenges along the way.
"During its early years of operation, the company had to compete against two larger, better established companies working in more favourable ore bodies.
"Mining conditions for underground operations were difficult and dangerous and, for many years, miners had to load conveyors by hand.
"Ultimately the company was forced to close its underground mines and concentrate on its more productive open cut operations.
"In addition to these difficulties, the company faced competition from rival commodities.
"Post World War II, when the company was established as Western Collieries, oil was the coal industry's main rival.
"Since the 1980s, the main rival has been natural gas."
Dr Gallop said Wesfarmers Premier Coal's secret to success was its determination to stay in business.
"The company has constantly sought to find new efficiencies and innovations - improving its operations at each new phase of its development," he said.
The Premier commended the company for introducing new mining technology that had halved its greenhouse gas emissions and for developing a strong partnership with the Collie community.
"The company's decision to commit $13million towards its rehabilitation program is well beyond the compliance for modern mining operations and therefore highly commendable," he said.
"So, too, is the company's commitment to invest in aquaculture industry research, turning former mine voids into lakes for recreational use and the Collie Motorplex, which is boosting Collie and the region's tourism industry."
The book, '50 years of Powering Western Australia', is available from the Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Premier Road, Collie Tel (08) 9780 2222 or Collie Tourist Bureau, Throssell Street, Collie (08) 9734 2051.
Premier's office: 9222 9475