FORMER GREENBUSHES EXPLORATION MANAGER MIKE HATCHER VISITS TALISON

Mike Hatcher, who was instrumental in championing the exploration of the Greenbushes lithium mineral deposit recently made his first visit to the mine in more than four decades.

Mr Hatcher, who now lives in Adelaide, began working at Greenbushes in 1976 when the primary minerals produced were tin and tantalum. However, after returning from a sponsored tour of Canada's Tanco operations in 1980, he pushed for the exploration and development of the Greenbushes spodumene deposit.

At the time there was a decline in the price of tantalum, and it seemed logical to develop the third important mineral found in the Greenbushes pegmatite – spodumene. Mr. Hatcher co-wrote three important papers on the Greenbushes lithium deposit, which were published in 1982, 1986, and 1990.

In 1983 a company called Lithium Australia was formed in Greenbushes, and that same year the Greenbushes mine became the first in Australia to produce and export lithium. Talison's Greenbushes Lithium Operation has been leading in lithium ever since, continuously innovating in the production and processing of spodumene, while also being instrumental in establishing global export markets for lithium products throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Today Talison plays a critical role in helping supply the lithium mineral concentrate needed to facilitate the global transition to clean energy.

Mr. Hatcher left Greenbushes in 1983, and his recent site visit was an interesting trip down memory lane, allowing him to see first-hand what he had helped begin all those years ago.

Pictured: Mike Hatcher with Talison Geology Superintendent Daryl Baker.

Regions Rising 2023: Keynote address on Jobs and Skills

Craig Dawson, General Manager of Operations at Talison, delivered the keynote address on Jobs and Skills at the Regions Rising conference in Bunbury on March 10, 2023.

The Regions Rising event series serves as an essential platform for bringing together industry experts, economists, regional leaders, government officials, political leaders, academics, and community sector representatives to discuss the critical factors affecting regional communities.

The address highlighted Talison's position as the leading lithium producer and emphasized how its impacts extend beyond just contributing to the clean energy transition. Talison's operations also provide significant funds to Federal, State, local governments and local communities.

There was discussion on the challenging skills and labour environment Talison faces as it tries to expand its workforce, along with the strategies Talison is implementing to overcome these obstacles.

Mr Dawson shared that despite the high demand for workers in the mining industry, Talison is striving to become more sustainable in the recruitment of its workforce by trying to maintain the balance between hiring locally and ensuring the community's liveability.

He also spoke about initiatives such as the annual Trainee and Apprenticeship programs which have become an important entry pathway into mining in the region, and Talison's partnership with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA on their curriculum-linked Digital Technologies Program, which helps provide students in the Warren Blackwood Region with the skills they need for the jobs of the future, starting in pre-primary and continuing through their senior school years.

Mr Dawson concluded his address by stating "While the global transition to cleaner energy relies on the lithium we mine, we rely on the people who make that possible."