Ausgold Limited is seeking expressions of interest from community members (individuals) and representatives from organisations to volunteer as members of the Community Reference Group for the Katanning Gold Project (KGP). The Reference Group will work together to identify and develop initiatives and activities that support biodiversity, land management and community resilience and prosperity. The Reference Group will enable an exchange of information between Ausgold and representatives from community, business, and government on:
- Municipal and community infrastructure, services and assets
- Regional economic development
- Land, vegetation and water
- Environmental and community impact management (including offsets)
Meetings will be held at least every three months, with the option of special meetings on priority matters.
The expression period closes at 5pm, Monday 13 January 2025.
For more information, click through the links below, or send an email to community@ausgoldlimited.com or call us on the dedicated Community mobile number on 0423 802 725.
The proposed function of the Community Reference Group
The proposed function of the Community Reference Group
The Reference Group will represent a small but dedicated group of up to ten interested community members who are prepared to act as a ‘sounding board’ for Ausgold to discuss development and operational matters, and to provide timely and frank community feedback on proposed aspects of the mine project’s planning, construction and operations, approvals, rehabilitation and closure.
Members should have an interest in learning more about the Katanning Gold Project and would be expected to provide comments and views to improve Ausgold’s internal decision-making processes as the project develops. This could include (but is not limited to):
- Providing feedback on topics raised
- Raising concerns and areas for further information
- Identify opportunities and impacts
- Sharing and gathering information with/from other community members
- Reviewing processes and outcomes.
Method for Nomination to the Reference Group
Method for Nomination to the Reference Group
Nomination can be made by response in writing to Ausgold or by submission of a voice message to the dedicated community mobile number. Written details can be submitted by email or letter. Nominees are invited to provide the following information about themselves – short submissions are encouraged:
- 1. Full name
- 2. Address
- 3. Email address
- 4. Mobile phone number
- 5. How long have you lived or worked in the area and what is your association with the region?
- 6. Which focus topics best suits your interest, role, skills and experience?
- Municipal and community infrastructure, services and assets
- Regional economic development
- Land, vegetation and water
- Environmental and community offsets
- 7. Why would like to be considered for membership of the Community Reference Group?
- 8. What knowledge, talents, networks or experience would you contribute as a member?
- 9. How would you support and promote the exchange of information between the Group and the community?
- 10. Would you commit to supporting the purpose, principles, responsibilities, and code of conduct of the Group and its members?
Nomination for membership must be in the person’s name and nominations cannot be made on behalf of another person.
Ausgold thanks interested parties in advance for the effort in making a nomination, and hopes that nominees appreciate an anticipated high level of response.
Member selection
Member selection
Members will be selected through either nomination, invitation by Ausgold, or expression of interest, based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated experience, skills and knowledge in at least one (1) Reference Group topic area in either a personal, volunteering, non-profit, government or commercial setting
- Proven ability to act independently and work for the benefit of the wider community
- Capacity for collaboration and constructive criticism
- Reside in or have a business within the Shire of Katanning, Kent or Dumbleyung
- Can commit to and attend meetings with at least a one-year horizon
- Have access to email and internet for contact and correspondence
- Have the capacity to understand and share project information and issues
- Be prepared to share relevant information with their community and neighbours
- Agree to have their first and last name published on the Ausgold website
- Agree to the Terms of Reference.
Chair
Chair
The Reference Group will be chaired by an appointee of Ausgold with an alternate (Deputy) Chair filled from one of the Reference Group members.
Privacy
Privacy
After appointment, membership of the Reference Group and one contact method will be made publicly available for all members on the Ausgold website.
Member Responsibilities
Member Responsibilities
Reference Group members are expected to:
- Represent the interests and views of the community (if representing a community group) or in the case of individuals, to present their own views
- Receive information from the Ausgold project team and from the wider community
- Demonstrate the Guiding Principles and follow the Code of Conduct
- Commit to attending the scheduled meetings
- Not make investment decisions based on information provided to the Reference Group
- Not provide comment to the local media on behalf of the Reference Group
- Address any concern within the Reference Group through direct respectful discussion, facilitated by the Chair.
Membership cannot be transferred, but recommendations can be made for proxy, guest, or a replacement member. Proxies can be nominated with advance notice and agreement by the Chair. If a member fails to attend two or more consecutive meetings, membership may be suspended or ended.
Code of Conduct for Members
Code of Conduct for Member
Reference Group members will be bound by the following Code of Conduct:
- Constructive discussions: Listen and do not talk over others. Raise issues and offer solutions in equal measure. Be factual. Be willing to challenge and be challenged about views/issues.
- Be effective: Be concise in presenting views. Help each other stick to the agenda and timeframes. Avoid bringing up the same topic if the matter has already been discussed.
- Be honest and open: You do not need to be an expert to have a view. It is okay to get something wrong or to correct someone on a point of fact in a respectful way.
- Respect: At all times, professional etiquette and language usual for safe and collaborative work spaces.
- Support the group: Ensure everyone has a chance to talk. Seek to understand others, before presenting your view. Support the final decision of the group once a view is adopted.
- Confidentiality: Reference Group members are encouraged to discuss minutes of meetings with other people. Chatham House rules to be applied where members should not disclose the specific views and opinions expressed by other Reference Group members. These ‘in confidence’ rules will be upheld in communications, including meeting minutes.
- Commercial confidentiality: As Ausgold is a publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange, project planning information that is shared with the Reference Group and is not yet in the public domain is to be considered confidential and not for wider circulation, unless it is specifically noted in meeting minutes.
Membership Duration and Term
Membership Duration and Term
The Reference Group will be active from October 2024 for indicatively two (2) years, with remit to continue and evolve beyond the KGP planning phase. This reflects Ausgold’s intention to establish the Reference Group as a catalyst for collaborative and productive initiatives that provide a legacy beyond the KGP.
At a minimum, meetings will be held four times a year, unless otherwise agreed by the Reference Group. The Reference Group will be convened for a minimum period of two (2) years, constituting two (2) meeting and activity cycles. Reference Group members will be selected for a period of one (1) year (i.e., one activity cycle). Members must seek reappointment in subsequent cycles. Member replacements (i.e., due to resignation) will be appointed only for the remainder of the current cycle, with the agreement of the retiring member and the Chair.
About the Katanning Gold Project
The Katanning Gold Project (KGP) is located 275km south-east of Perth and approximately 40km north-east of the town of Katanning in the southwest of Western Australia. Although Katanning is the closest regional centre, our other surrounding communities include Nyabing, Dumbleyung, Badgebup and Woodanilling.
Gold was first identified in 1979 and was briefly mined at the site between December 1995 – July 1997, producing 20,000 ounces of gold. Since acquiring the project in 2010, Ausgold has been working on proving up the gold resource with additional exploration and studies.
The introduction of a gold mine is a significant responsibility, and we want to do it right. Extensive technical studies have been done and continue to be undertaken to optimise the project. However just as importantly, we are at a stage where we can begin social and economic studies to help define the potential impacts our project might have.
An important part of enabling this is to ensure that the lines of communication with us are open.
In March 2023 we held two information sessions at the Katanning Country Club which marked the beginning of our consultation with the community. A copy of the presentation with further information on the project is available below.
Community Survey
In May 2023 we conducted a community perception survey for the Katanning Gold Project. We received 130 responses which indicated good support for the project and highlighted key areas of interest.
Full results of the survey are available to view here.
Contact Us
We would like to make sure that questions about our proposed project are answered quickly, community views are heard, and any concerns are investigated.
You can email us on a dedicated community email: community@ausgoldlimited.com
You can call us on the dedicated community mobile: 0423 802 725
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