Main Business Activity
St Barbara is an Australian based gold producer and mineral explorer focussing on gold, nickel and copper with a strong growth focus, based on exploration and acquisitions.
Key assets include Southern Cross and Leonora operations in Western Australia and an extensive landholding of approximately 18,000 square kilometres across Australia
St Barbara employs over 700 people, including contractors, in our operations across the company’s two sites. We will be expanding our workforce at our Leonora operation by over 100 people in the coming year.
St Barbara’s vision is to become a 1 million ounce producer of gold per annum, with 10 million ounces in reserves by 2010.
The main aspect of our operations is at Southern Cross; where over the last 12 months 170,000 ounces of gold was produced at an average cost in Australian dollars of just over $500 an ounce. The other important development in our business has been the progress of the Hoover Decline at Gwalia, which is at Leonora, 300km from Southern Cross. The Hoover Decline is now more than 945m below surface, 90% of the way to completion to the top of the ore reserves. The project is on time and on budget to recommence gold production from Gwalia by the September Quarter 2008. The refurbishment of the Gwalia Mill with capacity of 1.2 – 1.8Mt per annum is also on schedule and on budget for the commencement of gold production.
With the introduction of gold production from Gwalia and production from the Southern Cross operations at around 170,000 ounces per annum, St Barbara is on target to achieve gold production at the rate of 450,000 ounces per annum in the December Quarter 2008.
The company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ticker symbol SBM), and is a founding member of the Australian Gold Council.
Our People
Our people are an integral part in the overall success of the company. We offer competitive remuneration and benefits packages, significant personal and career development opportunities and an excellent working environment. Site-based positions are offered on either a residential or fly in/fly out basis, with short flights from Perth and attractive incentives in place for people wishing to relocate to the regions and live residentially.
Both our campsites have been refurbished with modern, comfortable self-contained units coupled with several recreational facilities including a swimming pool and gymnasium at each site.
Safety
The safety of our employees is paramount and fundamental to the wellbeing of all who work for or with St Barbara. The board has endorsed a Zero Harm policy based on the belief that all occupational injuries and illnesses are preventable. Every employee in the company is accountable for ensuring that both they and their colleagues work in a safe environment.
The Environment
We are committed to conducting our activities in a socially responsible manner, respecting the natural environment in which we operate and the local communities with whom we interact. We are working on several initiatives to reduce the greenhouse impact and are assessing several energy efficient opportunities right across the company.
