NEWMONT Goldcorp Corporation (Newmont Goldcorp) said it looks forward to a long and productive partnership with Saracen Mineral Holdings Ltd. (Saracen) at Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) in Australia.

Earlier today, Saracen announced an agreement to purchase Barrick Gold Corporation’s 50 percent stake in KCGM. Newmont Goldcorp will remain the operator of KCGM and continue to manage the mine according to its leading policies and standards.

“We congratulate Saracen on its agreement to purchase Barrick’s stake in KCGM and we look forward to partnering with them to continue delivering value at this world-class asset, safely and efficiently,” said Tom Palmer, president and chief executive officer. “KCGM and the Golden Mile offer ongoing growth and value generating opportunities in Australia, which remains a core operating region for Newmont.”

Located in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia, KCGM directly employs about 1,250 people and produced 636,000 ounces of gold in 2018. Operations began at KCGM in 1989 and the mine has produced 21 million ounces of gold over the last three decades.

About Newmont Goldcorp

Newmont Goldcorp is the world’s leading gold company and a producer of copper, silver, zinc and lead. The company’s world-class portfolio of assets, prospects and talent is anchored in favorable mining jurisdictions in North America, South America, Australia and Africa. Newmont Goldcorp is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 Index and is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social and governance practices. The company is an industry leader in value creation, supported by robust safety standards, superior execution and technical proficiency. Newmont Goldcorp was founded in 1921 and has been publicly traded since 1925.

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IN REVIEWING early feedback, it is clear that small businesses experiencing financial difficulties are often leaving it too late to seek help.

That’s one of the factors contributing to small business insolvencies that has been explored at the first meeting of the reference group established by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman as part of its Insolvency Practices Inquiry.

Ombudsman Kate Carnell said it was vital for small businesses to recognise the signs of financial distress and seek help as quickly as possible.

“It is crucial that small and family businesses experiencing financial difficulties understand they don’t have to go it alone,” Ms Carnell said.

“What we know is the sooner small and family businesses get help, the more likely it is they can achieve a more favourable outcome.

“Small and family businesses should lean on their trusted advisors, like your accountant, especially when financial concerns arise. We know this is an issue that is important to the small and family business community because there has been an overwhelming public response to our Inquiry.

“Already we’ve had 230 survey responses and 20 submissions and we expect that number to grow. We also appreciate the generous feedback we’ve had from many insolvency practitioners so far and discussions with industry groups and professionals involved in the insolvency sector are ongoing.

“We remain very keen to hear from all parties that have been through a restructure or insolvency. These stories can be shared by completing our online survey or by providing a submission via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

An interim report will be released next month ahead of the final report in February.

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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THE 2019 Future2 Wheel Classic charity bike ride will set off from Melbourne’s DISC Velodrome on Friday November 22, aiming to surpass previous years’ fundraising efforts for the Future2 Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Now in its 10th year, the Wheel Classic will feature 18 financial planners and other financial services professionals from across Australia (plus support crew), who will ride 819km over six stages.

Leading cycling broadcaster Matthew Keenan will join the riders on the first stage of the ride. Mr Keenan is well known to cycling enthusiasts through his work covering the world’s greatest cycling events including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a Espaňa, and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The riders will travel through the Daylesford Ranges and down to Apollo Bay. The group will ride the famous Amy Gillett Fondo route before cycling the Great Ocean Road and looping back to Queenscliff to catch a ferry to Sorrento, arriving at Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre on Wednesday November 27 for the opening of the 2019 FPA Professionals Congress.

Future2 supports young disadvantaged Australians experiencing social, physical or financial hardship. Riders will have the chance to meet some of the Future2 grant recipients past and present along the way including Boroondara Cares in Melbourne and Hello Hurricane in Queenscliff.

The Future2 Hiking Challenge will also take place ahead of Congress, taking hikers to the Grampians mountain range. Departing November 23, 12 hikers will cover around 17km over two full days (plus travel time from Melbourne to Halls Gap and return) to take in the wild beauty of the diverse landscape.

Future2 chair, Petra Churcher said: “We are grateful to our partners and for the commitment and generosity of the individual FPA members who take part in the Wheel Classic and Hiking Challenge to raise funds to support Future2.”

Riders have taken on the challenge of each raising $1,500, while hikers will each aim to raise $1,200 to support Future2’s Make the Difference! Grant program.  Future2 awarded $191,066 in new grants to 20 not-for-profit organisations in 2019, an increase of more than 5 percent over last year. Future2 has now committed $1,195,066 in grants since its inception in 2007.

MLC is the Gold partner of the 2019 Wheel Classic and Hiking Challenge. Riders and hikers from MLC include: Geoff Rogers, general manager, MLC Wealth Distribution (rider); Carl Wilkin, MLC (rider); John Tsihlis, MLC (rider); Rosa Velkovski, MLC (hiker); Ellen Hickman, MLC (hiker).

MLC staff are contributing to the fundraising effort and are aiming to raise $10,000 by hosting fundraising events for Future2 across their offices in five cities. Iress, Magellan Financial Group and Pickles are also partners of the 2019 Wheel Classic. 

MLC is also the Gold partner of the 2019 Future2 Celebration to be held at the FPA 2019 Professionals Congress on Thursday November 28.

www.future2foundation.org.au

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THE Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts is holding a public hearing at Southport, Queensland on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 for its inquiry into the deployment, adoption and application of 5G in Australia.

This will be the first public hearing for the inquiry, and will begin a series of public hearings and site visits to gather evidence about the challenges and benefits of 5G in Australia.

Information about the inquiry, including the public hearing program, may be found on the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 19 November 2019
Time: 11.30am – 1.30pm
Location: Room F4, Southport Community Centre

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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