Beaconsfield Mine Rescue

Matthew is a humble and engaging Australian thrust into the media spotlight on Anzac Day 2006. The eyes of the world were on Matthew and his team as they wrestled with the catastrophe of 3 missing miners trapped a kilometre underground in Beaconsfield, Tasmania. Audiences are captivated as Matthew relives the emotional moments of an event that is etched in the minds of all Australians.

Beaconsfield. Never think it won’t happen to you.

Matthew Gill was the Mine Manager at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine since its inception until March 2007, having arrived at the old mine in 1995 when it was still flooded and pre-feasibility. Matthew oversaw the dewatering and shaft refurbishment program, the initial underground development, diamond drilling, feasibility study, construction and commissioning, and the first gold bar pour in 1999.

As if these challenges were not enough, the JV companies went into administration/receivership mid 2001, but Matthew and his team held firm to return the operation to a profitable venture, repay creditors and achieve the re-listing of the companies.
And then the events of 25 April 2006 occurred. What followed would become a part of Australian mining history as, for fourteen days, the world watched every step of a complex and hazardous mine rescue operation to save two trapped miners 925 metres underground. Matthew will share some of those experiences – the technical challenges, the human challenges, crisis management, emergency preparedness, leadership, and media management.

Matthew is a mining engineer, having graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1982, and has over 25 years experience in the mining industry. He has worked as an underground miner, planning engineer, supervisor, manager and managing director, in Australia (Tasmania and WA) and PNG, and covering tin, copper, mineral sands, gold, nickel and iron ore. During this time, he completed a masters degree in rock mechanics, a company directors diploma and possesses three mine managers certificates of competency (Tasmania, WA and PNG).

Testimonial

"Matthew was engaging, and delivered a powerful presentation to the group. Matthew also spent the night working the crowd, the feedback from the company CEO's and General Managers was highly complimentary of Matthew.”
Rockhampton Regional Council