MecrusReview

From the MD

Barry Richards, Managing Director

Exploring for a new ventureMecrus Resources is now Victoria’s largest Mineral Explorer, with a total of sixteen Mineral Exploration Licenses. The Exploration area covered by the licenses is in excess of 7,000 square Kilometres.

This exciting new position has transpired through the application of six new Exploration Licenses throughout Victoria.

“We are at the early stages of a very long journey. We need to go through the normal government approval processes before these exploration licence applications are granted,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“If the licences are granted we will be looking at a period of about two years to review and assess the available geoscientific data (which include the geology, geophysics, and geochemistry data) to identify the potential mineral deposits and their occurrences in the area,” said Mr Richards.

The aim of the assessment is to evaluate the mineral potential in the area, the likelihood of a particular type of mineral deposit occurring.

“It is only after these assessments are completed that we will be in a position to consider the economic viability of what we find,” confirmed Mr Richards.

Mecrus Resources currently have four Exploration Licenses which are seen to be ‘active’. These areas are currently undergoing extensive desktop evaluations and low impact exploration by the highly skilled geologists within Mecrus Resources.

Low impact exploration activities include various office studies and reviews of previous exploration activities and research, recognisance mapping, sample collection from crown land and surface geochemical analysis.

Along with assessing the minerals within the regions, the low impact exploration also provides vital information on the current environmental status of the regions, which allows Mecrus Resources to continually review environmental impact as part of conducting explorations.

These activities have lead to the identification of areas that require more detailed investigation of their potential for mineralisation.

“We are interested in any resources that we can identify that could prove economically viable,” stated Mr. Richards.

When a company aspires to expand or grow, they are rarely seen to be going down, but that is exactly the bold strategy of Mecrus Group.

As we expand our visions, in part we look to the ground to discover its hidden resources; whether it is trapped groundwater or undiscovered minerals. The ability of The Mecrus Group to see beyond the visible has enabled vast developments in a time when many other entities are struggling simply to sit idle.

Throughout the past few years, Mecrus Group has shown considerable success within all aspects of the group. These achievements span from MecrusBMHA- FAM new international contracts and the practical completion of Abbot Point Coal Terminal, Desaln8’s Monash Business Award, ABPF safety achievements and Mineral Exploration licenses granted to Mecrus Resources.

Mecrus Group’s capacity to evolve and expand is significantly aided by the talented and highly knowledgeable team who work within it. It is the drive and passion of The Mecrus Group’s employees, along with our visionary approach that allows the company to repeatedly excel.

With each individual achievement we strive for the next, tirelessly pushing for the subsequent milestone. This newsletter presents a chance to reflect on our current successes before they are proudly vanquished.

As we continue to diversify new opportunities as they present themselves. With innovative developments over the horizon, Mecrus Group will continue to strive for futurity in this ever changing and demanding environment.

MecrusReview

IBL Students welcomedMecrus would like to welcome Jarred Bachmann and Alyce Farmer, as part of an Industry Based Learning (IBL) program in association with Swinburne University of Technology. Both students will be working within Mecrus Head Office for 12 months commencing in July 2011.

The students will be able to gain invaluable industry experience during their appointment; gaining mentoring from senior employees in addition to hands on experience.

Jarred is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne University. With a wide range of skills both developed at uni and through his passion for modifying and restoring cars, Jarred is set to become a valuable team member within Mecrus.

Alyce, also a third year student at Swinburne University, is studying a Bachelor of Business (Management) and a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design). Alyce will assist Mecrus within the division of Marketing/ Public Relations.

Technology is imperative for any company and this reliance on technology will continue to grow with each year. Complex computer systems from years previous are now obsolete. IT systems are now further developed and the need for constant support from IT experts is essential to maintain daily operations. Mecrus understands the need to cope with these ever changing technologies and have progressed from an outsourced IT service, in order to establish an in-house IT infrastructure department with the appointment of Alex Yang as The Mecrus Group’s IT Services Manager.”

Subsequent to appointing a specialised IT Services Manager, vast improvements have been established. The successful completion of a built secure domain system for each individual site and the creation of a Site-to-Site VPN (Virtual Private Network) have allowed connections and file transfers between individuals via a secure channels. In addition, Alex has upgraded the backup system in an effort to significantly reduce the risk of system data loss and/or corruption. The threat of Malware and possibly fatal viruses to the system has been subsided by the introduction of Enterprise Endpoint protection system.

When asked about his achievements, Alex Yang, Mecrus’s IT Services Manager remarked “My time at Mecrus has been challenging but also highly rewarding with the improvements I have been able to implement.”

“All the separate business units now enjoy a streamlined IT support system that I am constantly seeking to improve.”

Currently, the Mecrus IT team is undertaking two substantial projects –integrating all the individual domain systems at our sites into a single companywide domain and centralising the messaging (email) system via the recently implemented Microsoft Exchange Server. The new system will provide easy and convenient email access to users via the network anywhere, anytime.

The Exchange central email backup, in addition, has the major benefit of securely saving emails directly to the Mecrus network; this ensures that if a user’s local computer fails, all emails will remain accessible in the future.

“We have come a long way from our humble IT beginnings and as we evolve as a company, so too will the technology that supports us,” said Alex.

From the IT Desk

Alex Yang, IT Services Manager

Mecrus Pty LtdUnit 21 Business Park DriveNotting Hill, Victoria 3168Australia

PO Box 328Mulgrave, Victoria 3170Australia

Tel +61 3 8545 8800Fax +61 3 8545 8899www.mecrus.com.au

FAM – BMHA through Australian Engineering House have been successful in winning design, manufacture and supply of new stockyard stacker and dual pair of bridge bucket wheel reclaimers.

The machines are part of a new Bauxite and Aluminium refining development in Saudi Arabia. Alcoa has formed a joint venture with Ma’aden, the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, to develop a fully integrated, world-class aluminium industry in Saudi Arabia.

FAM Sales andTtechnical Engineers are attending ALCOA USA offices in first project start up meetings for FAM scope of supply of these bauxite stockyard machines. FAM Construction Engineers will supervise the erection and commissioning of the machines on site.

A stipulation for the design of the comprehensive stockyard communications/controls system development will see our Australian resident Senior Electrical Engineer EIke Behling residing in the Brisbane offices of Worley Parsons for up to 6 months, to ensure close cooperation and consistency of design philosophy.

FAM - BMHA, Saudi ArabiaContinued...

ReviewSpring Issue 2011

Creating positive outcomes through people

FAM Queensland (JV of FAM & MecrusBMHA) is fast coming to the conclusion of our contract for supply of four large stacker reclaimers at Abbot Point Coal Terminal, Queensland

Practical completion has been achieved and recognised by the client for the first three machines and we have presently submitted our completion paper work for the final machine which is still to undertake full load and performance testing. The four machines provide a stock yard capacity to our client of 50 million tonnes per annum. In following years there are plans to expand the port again with overall target of 300 million tonnes per annum which would make it the largest coal port in the world.

This project provides FAM with our first major reference in Australia and we see it as a springboard for the Australian Mining and Ports businesses. The market has previously been dominated by two providers in Krupp and Sandvik. With our new reference project in Australia it provides the market with a third major player. The FAM product offering to the market the highest quality solutions to meet Australia’s rigorous standards for large bulk materials handling machines whether at our ports or at remote mine site stockyards.

Moving Earth to gain progress at Abbot Point

MecrusBMHA - FAM have been successful in winning a supply contract through international consulting engineers AUSENCO’s Perth office. The contract is for the supply of semi mobile in pit crushing and conveyors for Africa Minerals Tonkolili project in Sierra Leone.

FAM was successful in large part due to their ability to meet a very short time line required for the supply of the equipment. This contract further demonstrates FAM’s capability to provide state of the art Bulk Materials Handling solutions to the worlds mining houses. In particular this provides a further reference to Australia’s mining houses of FAM’s expertise in supporting the Mining Industries endeavours to offset escalating trucking costs through implementation of semi mobile crushing systems that help optimise truck haul routes.

New Contracts won through Australian Engineering House

In addition to the IPCC Contract in Sierra Leone, FAM – BMHA are continuing to expand internationally, through Australian Engineering Houses, with a new development in Saudi Arabia.

For further details on this recent development please see inside this addition of the Mecrus Review.

FAM - BMHA, Saudi Arabia

MecrusReview

From the MD

Barry Richards, Managing Director

Exploring for a new ventureMecrus Resources is now Victoria’s largest Mineral Explorer, with a total of sixteen Mineral Exploration Licenses. The Exploration area covered by the licenses is in excess of 7,000 square Kilometres.

This exciting new position has transpired through the application of six new Exploration Licenses throughout Victoria.

“We are at the early stages of a very long journey. We need to go through the normal government approval processes before these exploration licence applications are granted,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“If the licences are granted we will be looking at a period of about two years to review and assess the available geoscientific data (which include the geology, geophysics, and geochemistry data) to identify the potential mineral deposits and their occurrences in the area,” said Mr Richards.

The aim of the assessment is to evaluate the mineral potential in the area, the likelihood of a particular type of mineral deposit occurring.

“It is only after these assessments are completed that we will be in a position to consider the economic viability of what we find,” confirmed Mr Richards.

Mecrus Resources currently have four Exploration Licenses which are seen to be ‘active’. These areas are currently undergoing extensive desktop evaluations and low impact exploration by the highly skilled geologists within Mecrus Resources.

Low impact exploration activities include various office studies and reviews of previous exploration activities and research, recognisance mapping, sample collection from crown land and surface geochemical analysis.

Along with assessing the minerals within the regions, the low impact exploration also provides vital information on the current environmental status of the regions, which allows Mecrus Resources to continually review environmental impact as part of conducting explorations.

These activities have lead to the identification of areas that require more detailed investigation of their potential for mineralisation.

“We are interested in any resources that we can identify that could prove economically viable,” stated Mr. Richards.

When a company aspires to expand or grow, they are rarely seen to be going down, but that is exactly the bold strategy of Mecrus Group.

As we expand our visions, in part we look to the ground to discover its hidden resources; whether it is trapped groundwater or undiscovered minerals. The ability of The Mecrus Group to see beyond the visible has enabled vast developments in a time when many other entities are struggling simply to sit idle.

Throughout the past few years, Mecrus Group has shown considerable success within all aspects of the group. These achievements span from MecrusBMHA- FAM new international contracts and the practical completion of Abbot Point Coal Terminal, Desaln8’s Monash Business Award, ABPF safety achievements and Mineral Exploration licenses granted to Mecrus Resources.

Mecrus Group’s capacity to evolve and expand is significantly aided by the talented and highly knowledgeable team who work within it. It is the drive and passion of The Mecrus Group’s employees, along with our visionary approach that allows the company to repeatedly excel.

With each individual achievement we strive for the next, tirelessly pushing for the subsequent milestone. This newsletter presents a chance to reflect on our current successes before they are proudly vanquished.

As we continue to diversify new opportunities as they present themselves. With innovative developments over the horizon, Mecrus Group will continue to strive for futurity in this ever changing and demanding environment.

MecrusReview

IBL Students welcomedMecrus would like to welcome Jarred Bachmann and Alyce Farmer, as part of an Industry Based Learning (IBL) program in association with Swinburne University of Technology. Both students will be working within Mecrus Head Office for 12 months commencing in July 2011.

The students will be able to gain invaluable industry experience during their appointment; gaining mentoring from senior employees in addition to hands on experience.

Jarred is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne University. With a wide range of skills both developed at uni and through his passion for modifying and restoring cars, Jarred is set to become a valuable team member within Mecrus.

Alyce, also a third year student at Swinburne University, is studying a Bachelor of Business (Management) and a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design). Alyce will assist Mecrus within the division of Marketing/ Public Relations.

Technology is imperative for any company and this reliance on technology will continue to grow with each year. Complex computer systems from years previous are now obsolete. IT systems are now further developed and the need for constant support from IT experts is essential to maintain daily operations. Mecrus understands the need to cope with these ever changing technologies and have progressed from an outsourced IT service, in order to establish an in-house IT infrastructure department with the appointment of Alex Yang as The Mecrus Group’s IT Services Manager.”

Subsequent to appointing a specialised IT Services Manager, vast improvements have been established. The successful completion of a built secure domain system for each individual site and the creation of a Site-to-Site VPN (Virtual Private Network) have allowed connections and file transfers between individuals via a secure channels. In addition, Alex has upgraded the backup system in an effort to significantly reduce the risk of system data loss and/or corruption. The threat of Malware and possibly fatal viruses to the system has been subsided by the introduction of Enterprise Endpoint protection system.

When asked about his achievements, Alex Yang, Mecrus’s IT Services Manager remarked “My time at Mecrus has been challenging but also highly rewarding with the improvements I have been able to implement.”

“All the separate business units now enjoy a streamlined IT support system that I am constantly seeking to improve.”

Currently, the Mecrus IT team is undertaking two substantial projects –integrating all the individual domain systems at our sites into a single companywide domain and centralising the messaging (email) system via the recently implemented Microsoft Exchange Server. The new system will provide easy and convenient email access to users via the network anywhere, anytime.

The Exchange central email backup, in addition, has the major benefit of securely saving emails directly to the Mecrus network; this ensures that if a user’s local computer fails, all emails will remain accessible in the future.

“We have come a long way from our humble IT beginnings and as we evolve as a company, so too will the technology that supports us,” said Alex.

From the IT Desk

Alex Yang, IT Services Manager

Mecrus Pty LtdUnit 21 Business Park DriveNotting Hill, Victoria 3168Australia

PO Box 328Mulgrave, Victoria 3170Australia

Tel +61 3 8545 8800Fax +61 3 8545 8899www.mecrus.com.au

FAM – BMHA through Australian Engineering House have been successful in winning design, manufacture and supply of new stockyard stacker and dual pair of bridge bucket wheel reclaimers.

The machines are part of a new Bauxite and Aluminium refining development in Saudi Arabia. Alcoa has formed a joint venture with Ma’aden, the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, to develop a fully integrated, world-class aluminium industry in Saudi Arabia.

FAM Sales andTtechnical Engineers are attending ALCOA USA offices in first project start up meetings for FAM scope of supply of these bauxite stockyard machines. FAM Construction Engineers will supervise the erection and commissioning of the machines on site.

A stipulation for the design of the comprehensive stockyard communications/controls system development will see our Australian resident Senior Electrical Engineer EIke Behling residing in the Brisbane offices of Worley Parsons for up to 6 months, to ensure close cooperation and consistency of design philosophy.

FAM - BMHA, Saudi ArabiaContinued...

ReviewSpring Issue 2011

Creating positive outcomes through people

FAM Queensland (JV of FAM & MecrusBMHA) is fast coming to the conclusion of our contract for supply of four large stacker reclaimers at Abbot Point Coal Terminal, Queensland

Practical completion has been achieved and recognised by the client for the first three machines and we have presently submitted our completion paper work for the final machine which is still to undertake full load and performance testing. The four machines provide a stock yard capacity to our client of 50 million tonnes per annum. In following years there are plans to expand the port again with overall target of 300 million tonnes per annum which would make it the largest coal port in the world.

This project provides FAM with our first major reference in Australia and we see it as a springboard for the Australian Mining and Ports businesses. The market has previously been dominated by two providers in Krupp and Sandvik. With our new reference project in Australia it provides the market with a third major player. The FAM product offering to the market the highest quality solutions to meet Australia’s rigorous standards for large bulk materials handling machines whether at our ports or at remote mine site stockyards.

Moving Earth to gain progress at Abbot Point

MecrusBMHA - FAM have been successful in winning a supply contract through international consulting engineers AUSENCO’s Perth office. The contract is for the supply of semi mobile in pit crushing and conveyors for Africa Minerals Tonkolili project in Sierra Leone.

FAM was successful in large part due to their ability to meet a very short time line required for the supply of the equipment. This contract further demonstrates FAM’s capability to provide state of the art Bulk Materials Handling solutions to the worlds mining houses. In particular this provides a further reference to Australia’s mining houses of FAM’s expertise in supporting the Mining Industries endeavours to offset escalating trucking costs through implementation of semi mobile crushing systems that help optimise truck haul routes.

New Contracts won through Australian Engineering House

In addition to the IPCC Contract in Sierra Leone, FAM – BMHA are continuing to expand internationally, through Australian Engineering Houses, with a new development in Saudi Arabia.

For further details on this recent development please see inside this addition of the Mecrus Review.

FAM - BMHA, Saudi Arabia

MecrusReview

Engineering Improvements for The ABPF

Coal Preparation Safety AchievementThe Mecrus Coal Preparation business at Morwell has just recorded two years of operation with no Lost Time Injury. The Coal Preparation plant operates on a 24 hour, 365 days per year basis and feeds coal from the Hazelwood Mine to the Energy Brix Australia Power Station (1.7 Million tonnes per year) as well as processing coal trucked from the Loy Yang Mine for the Mecrus Briquette Facility (700,000 tonnes per year).

This is a significant achievement by the team given the range of plant involved and the geographical distance the plant is spread over down to the Ditch Bunker Loader. Given that over the two years we have also maintained 100% Coal Supply Reliability and delivered on budget financial performance further emphasises this good performance.

Policy ImplementedMecrus Australian Briquette Production Facility has in place a Drug and Alcohol Management Policy in a bid to increase site safety and employee welfare.

Mecrus recognises its responsibilities under all State and Federal Government legislation relating to Occupational Health and Safety and the need to train and manage its employees to meet these requirements.

The Mecrus Drug and Alcohol Management Policy aims to educate stakeholders, prevent the use of drugs (including alcohol, illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs) and provide counselling where required.

The tests include pre-employment testing, self-testing, for-cause testing and random testing. Such tests may be conducted on employees, contractors and visitors.

Mecrus is committed to actively identify solutions to assist employees to minimise health risks associated with alcohol and other drugs. Tests are designed to increase employee safety by reducing drug and alcohol impairment; both mental and physical.

The Mecrus Drug and Alcohol Management Policy focuses on proactively responding to all substance issues within Mecrus. All testing and results are confidential, sensitive and provide early assistance where necessary and facilitating a return to regular responsibilities within the workplace as soon as possible.

Safety is imperative in all work environments, but especially within the manufacturing industry. That is why The Australian Briquette Production Facility is investigating and implementing two new devices to reduce manual handling, which in turn will result in a safer workplace for all staff members.

Manual Handling may not always pose an immediate hazard to those within the industry, however after long term exposure the risk of extensive injury increases. It is because of these long term risks that The Mecrus Group has endeavoured to alleviate the reliance on manual handling within The ABPF.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer and Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter have been specifically engineered for use in The ABPF to assist the process of changing the forms, which are used to shape the briquettes.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer is a concept design with the intended outcome of greatly reducing excessive manual handling while extracting each wedge from the press. The wedges are used to secure the hooks and forms during production. The conceptualised design will eliminate the need for personnel to use a sledgehammer to loosen and remove the wedges in order to proceed with the form change.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer once fully developed is intended to work complementary with The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter which is already in the early stages of implementation.

The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter has been fully tested by the form change personnel during the form changes. The device has been produced to reduce the time taken to change the forms simplify the process, and to eliminate strenuous lifting, wrenching and other laborious movements. The device also reduces the risk of operators placing hands underneath the hook, by eliminating the requirement of using a roller pipe to lift the bottom hook.

Through constructive feedback from staff within the facility, the engineers have been able to further improve the functionality and safety of these apparatuses. Both of these complimentary innovations have been enthusiastically received by stakeholders of ABPF and are hoped to become standard equipment used within the facility. The devices, when used correctly should mitigate many possible safety risks associated with manual handling during form changes within the facility.

The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer Concept

The Mecrus Group will soon be delivering two new water recycling and recovery technologies to Australian Industry.

The EST and C&G units are both chemical free technologies that produce high-grade water and solvent recovery suitable for a variety of processing and manufacturing industries.

EST has the capability to recover up to 90% of the water from industrial waste water with low organic contaminants. The technology is brand new and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional RO processes.

A great opportunity for EST is in the power industry where hundreds of mega litres of secondary cooling water are disposed of each year as it becomes too saline for continued use. The EST system can recover up to 95% of this wastewater which can be reused - dramatically reducing the cost of sourcing new water and the cost of wastewater disposal.

The C&G unit uses vacuum evaporation technology to boil the water away from industrial waste allowing, in certain cases, for the recovery and reuse of both the water and the raw materials. The C&G process can be tailored to the requirements of the customer such that the remaining waste can be highly concentrated liquid or a dry crystalline material. Across Europe where the technology was first created, the C&G unit is widely used in the printing industry where factories

are able to recover and reuse water and the valuable inks. Other widely used applications are in galvanising, reduction of oily emulsions, wine making and pharmaceutical industries.

“Bringing these technologies into the Australian market is just one more step in our ongoing commitment to combating the wider water issue,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“The recycling and recovery capabilities of these units further Mecrus’ efforts

to relieve the pressure on traditional water sources, such as our rivers and catchments. These new technologies are a perfect accompaniment to the water creating capabilities of the Desaln8 ISD system. Innovative technologies like these are another step towards a water-secure future for Australia.”

For further information or enquiries in regards to obtaining this innovative technology, please contact Trevor Ahale, (03) 8545 8800.

Expanding Water Solutions

Desaln8 has been awarded in the Monash Business Awards (MBA) within the category of Innovation.

The MBA, established in 1994, aims to recognise individual business achievements, innovation and excellence within the Monash Business Community.

Desaln8 was chosen ahead a number of innovative companies because of its ability to create water in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Desaln8 promotes water innovation through providing specific supply solutions to organisations and individuals with poor water quality reserves. The Desaln8 In Situ Desalination (ISD)

system is installed in the ground where it produces freshwater from saline groundwater. The ISD system uses no chemicals and does not create a need to dispose of a brine stream. Operating in the ground also means that only useable water is brought to the surface, causing less energy resources to be used, compared to similar above ground systems.

ISD water can be used anywhere non potable freshwater is needed and it is extremely cost effective, often producing water for less than it costs from the tap.

On behalf of Mecrus Group; we would like to congratulate Deslan8 on their well deserved award.

A Flood of Success for Desaln8

MecrusReview MecrusReviewMecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

MecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

The Mecrus Group will soon be delivering two new water recycling and recovery technologies to Australian Industry.

The EST and C&G units are both chemical free technologies that produce high-grade water and solvent recovery suitable for a variety of processing and manufacturing industries.

EST has the capability to recover up to 90% of the water from industrial waste water with low organic contaminants. The technology is brand new and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional RO processes.

A great opportunity for EST is in the power industry where hundreds of mega litres of secondary cooling water are disposed of each year as it becomes too saline for continued use. The EST system can recover up to 95% of this wastewater which can be reused - dramatically reducing the cost of sourcing new water and the cost of wastewater disposal.

The C&G unit uses vacuum evaporation technology to boil the water away from industrial waste allowing, in certain cases, for the recovery and reuse of both the water and the raw materials. The C&G process can be tailored to the requirements of the customer such that the remaining waste can be highly concentrated liquid or a dry crystalline material. Across Europe where the technology was first created, the C&G unit is widely used in the printing industry where factories

are able to recover and reuse water and the valuable inks. Other widely used applications are in galvanising, reduction of oily emulsions, wine making and pharmaceutical industries.

“Bringing these technologies into the Australian market is just one more step in our ongoing commitment to combating the wider water issue,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“The recycling and recovery capabilities of these units further Mecrus’ efforts

to relieve the pressure on traditional water sources, such as our rivers and catchments. These new technologies are a perfect accompaniment to the water creating capabilities of the Desaln8 ISD system. Innovative technologies like these are another step towards a water-secure future for Australia.”

For further information or enquiries in regards to obtaining this innovative technology, please contact Trevor Ahale, (03) 8545 8800.

Expanding Water Solutions

Desaln8 has been awarded in the Monash Business Awards (MBA) within the category of Innovation.

The MBA, established in 1994, aims to recognise individual business achievements, innovation and excellence within the Monash Business Community.

Desaln8 was chosen ahead a number of innovative companies because of its ability to create water in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Desaln8 promotes water innovation through providing specific supply solutions to organisations and individuals with poor water quality reserves. The Desaln8 In Situ Desalination (ISD)

system is installed in the ground where it produces freshwater from saline groundwater. The ISD system uses no chemicals and does not create a need to dispose of a brine stream. Operating in the ground also means that only useable water is brought to the surface, causing less energy resources to be used, compared to similar above ground systems.

ISD water can be used anywhere non potable freshwater is needed and it is extremely cost effective, often producing water for less than it costs from the tap.

On behalf of Mecrus Group; we would like to congratulate Deslan8 on their well deserved award.

A Flood of Success for Desaln8

MecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

MecrusReview

Engineering Improvements for The ABPF

Coal Preparation Safety AchievementThe Mecrus Coal Preparation business at Morwell has just recorded two years of operation with no Lost Time Injury. The Coal Preparation plant operates on a 24 hour, 365 days per year basis and feeds coal from the Hazelwood Mine to the Energy Brix Australia Power Station (1.7 Million tonnes per year) as well as processing coal trucked from the Loy Yang Mine for the Mecrus Briquette Facility (700,000 tonnes per year).

This is a significant achievement by the team given the range of plant involved and the geographical distance the plant is spread over down to the Ditch Bunker Loader. Given that over the two years we have also maintained 100% Coal Supply Reliability and delivered on budget financial performance further emphasises this good performance.

Policy ImplementedMecrus Australian Briquette Production Facility has in place a Drug and Alcohol Management Policy in a bid to increase site safety and employee welfare.

Mecrus recognises its responsibilities under all State and Federal Government legislation relating to Occupational Health and Safety and the need to train and manage its employees to meet these requirements.

The Mecrus Drug and Alcohol Management Policy aims to educate stakeholders, prevent the use of drugs (including alcohol, illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs) and provide counselling where required.

The tests include pre-employment testing, self-testing, for-cause testing and random testing. Such tests may be conducted on employees, contractors and visitors.

Mecrus is committed to actively identify solutions to assist employees to minimise health risks associated with alcohol and other drugs. Tests are designed to increase employee safety by reducing drug and alcohol impairment; both mental and physical.

The Mecrus Drug and Alcohol Management Policy focuses on proactively responding to all substance issues within Mecrus. All testing and results are confidential, sensitive and provide early assistance where necessary and facilitating a return to regular responsibilities within the workplace as soon as possible.

Safety is imperative in all work environments, but especially within the manufacturing industry. That is why The Australian Briquette Production Facility is investigating and implementing two new devices to reduce manual handling, which in turn will result in a safer workplace for all staff members.

Manual Handling may not always pose an immediate hazard to those within the industry, however after long term exposure the risk of extensive injury increases. It is because of these long term risks that The Mecrus Group has endeavoured to alleviate the reliance on manual handling within The ABPF.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer and Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter have been specifically engineered for use in The ABPF to assist the process of changing the forms, which are used to shape the briquettes.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer is a concept design with the intended outcome of greatly reducing excessive manual handling while extracting each wedge from the press. The wedges are used to secure the hooks and forms during production. The conceptualised design will eliminate the need for personnel to use a sledgehammer to loosen and remove the wedges in order to proceed with the form change.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer once fully developed is intended to work complementary with The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter which is already in the early stages of implementation.

The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter has been fully tested by the form change personnel during the form changes. The device has been produced to reduce the time taken to change the forms simplify the process, and to eliminate strenuous lifting, wrenching and other laborious movements. The device also reduces the risk of operators placing hands underneath the hook, by eliminating the requirement of using a roller pipe to lift the bottom hook.

Through constructive feedback from staff within the facility, the engineers have been able to further improve the functionality and safety of these apparatuses. Both of these complimentary innovations have been enthusiastically received by stakeholders of ABPF and are hoped to become standard equipment used within the facility. The devices, when used correctly should mitigate many possible safety risks associated with manual handling during form changes within the facility.

The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer Concept

The Mecrus Group will soon be delivering two new water recycling and recovery technologies to Australian Industry.

The EST and C&G units are both chemical free technologies that produce high-grade water and solvent recovery suitable for a variety of processing and manufacturing industries.

EST has the capability to recover up to 90% of the water from industrial waste water with low organic contaminants. The technology is brand new and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional RO processes.

A great opportunity for EST is in the power industry where hundreds of mega litres of secondary cooling water are disposed of each year as it becomes too saline for continued use. The EST system can recover up to 95% of this wastewater which can be reused - dramatically reducing the cost of sourcing new water and the cost of wastewater disposal.

The C&G unit uses vacuum evaporation technology to boil the water away from industrial waste allowing, in certain cases, for the recovery and reuse of both the water and the raw materials. The C&G process can be tailored to the requirements of the customer such that the remaining waste can be highly concentrated liquid or a dry crystalline material. Across Europe where the technology was first created, the C&G unit is widely used in the printing industry where factories

are able to recover and reuse water and the valuable inks. Other widely used applications are in galvanising, reduction of oily emulsions, wine making and pharmaceutical industries.

“Bringing these technologies into the Australian market is just one more step in our ongoing commitment to combating the wider water issue,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“The recycling and recovery capabilities of these units further Mecrus’ efforts

to relieve the pressure on traditional water sources, such as our rivers and catchments. These new technologies are a perfect accompaniment to the water creating capabilities of the Desaln8 ISD system. Innovative technologies like these are another step towards a water-secure future for Australia.”

For further information or enquiries in regards to obtaining this innovative technology, please contact Trevor Ahale, (03) 8545 8800.

Expanding Water Solutions

Desaln8 has been awarded in the Monash Business Awards (MBA) within the category of Innovation.

The MBA, established in 1994, aims to recognise individual business achievements, innovation and excellence within the Monash Business Community.

Desaln8 was chosen ahead a number of innovative companies because of its ability to create water in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Desaln8 promotes water innovation through providing specific supply solutions to organisations and individuals with poor water quality reserves. The Desaln8 In Situ Desalination (ISD)

system is installed in the ground where it produces freshwater from saline groundwater. The ISD system uses no chemicals and does not create a need to dispose of a brine stream. Operating in the ground also means that only useable water is brought to the surface, causing less energy resources to be used, compared to similar above ground systems.

ISD water can be used anywhere non potable freshwater is needed and it is extremely cost effective, often producing water for less than it costs from the tap.

On behalf of Mecrus Group; we would like to congratulate Deslan8 on their well deserved award.

A Flood of Success for Desaln8

MecrusReview MecrusReviewMecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

MecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

The Mecrus Group will soon be delivering two new water recycling and recovery technologies to Australian Industry.

The EST and C&G units are both chemical free technologies that produce high-grade water and solvent recovery suitable for a variety of processing and manufacturing industries.

EST has the capability to recover up to 90% of the water from industrial waste water with low organic contaminants. The technology is brand new and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional RO processes.

A great opportunity for EST is in the power industry where hundreds of mega litres of secondary cooling water are disposed of each year as it becomes too saline for continued use. The EST system can recover up to 95% of this wastewater which can be reused - dramatically reducing the cost of sourcing new water and the cost of wastewater disposal.

The C&G unit uses vacuum evaporation technology to boil the water away from industrial waste allowing, in certain cases, for the recovery and reuse of both the water and the raw materials. The C&G process can be tailored to the requirements of the customer such that the remaining waste can be highly concentrated liquid or a dry crystalline material. Across Europe where the technology was first created, the C&G unit is widely used in the printing industry where factories

are able to recover and reuse water and the valuable inks. Other widely used applications are in galvanising, reduction of oily emulsions, wine making and pharmaceutical industries.

“Bringing these technologies into the Australian market is just one more step in our ongoing commitment to combating the wider water issue,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“The recycling and recovery capabilities of these units further Mecrus’ efforts

to relieve the pressure on traditional water sources, such as our rivers and catchments. These new technologies are a perfect accompaniment to the water creating capabilities of the Desaln8 ISD system. Innovative technologies like these are another step towards a water-secure future for Australia.”

For further information or enquiries in regards to obtaining this innovative technology, please contact Trevor Ahale, (03) 8545 8800.

Expanding Water Solutions

Desaln8 has been awarded in the Monash Business Awards (MBA) within the category of Innovation.

The MBA, established in 1994, aims to recognise individual business achievements, innovation and excellence within the Monash Business Community.

Desaln8 was chosen ahead a number of innovative companies because of its ability to create water in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Desaln8 promotes water innovation through providing specific supply solutions to organisations and individuals with poor water quality reserves. The Desaln8 In Situ Desalination (ISD)

system is installed in the ground where it produces freshwater from saline groundwater. The ISD system uses no chemicals and does not create a need to dispose of a brine stream. Operating in the ground also means that only useable water is brought to the surface, causing less energy resources to be used, compared to similar above ground systems.

ISD water can be used anywhere non potable freshwater is needed and it is extremely cost effective, often producing water for less than it costs from the tap.

On behalf of Mecrus Group; we would like to congratulate Deslan8 on their well deserved award.

A Flood of Success for Desaln8

MecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

MecrusReview

Engineering Improvements for The ABPF

Coal Preparation Safety AchievementThe Mecrus Coal Preparation business at Morwell has just recorded two years of operation with no Lost Time Injury. The Coal Preparation plant operates on a 24 hour, 365 days per year basis and feeds coal from the Hazelwood Mine to the Energy Brix Australia Power Station (1.7 Million tonnes per year) as well as processing coal trucked from the Loy Yang Mine for the Mecrus Briquette Facility (700,000 tonnes per year).

This is a significant achievement by the team given the range of plant involved and the geographical distance the plant is spread over down to the Ditch Bunker Loader. Given that over the two years we have also maintained 100% Coal Supply Reliability and delivered on budget financial performance further emphasises this good performance.

Policy ImplementedMecrus Australian Briquette Production Facility has in place a Drug and Alcohol Management Policy in a bid to increase site safety and employee welfare.

Mecrus recognises its responsibilities under all State and Federal Government legislation relating to Occupational Health and Safety and the need to train and manage its employees to meet these requirements.

The Mecrus Drug and Alcohol Management Policy aims to educate stakeholders, prevent the use of drugs (including alcohol, illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs) and provide counselling where required.

The tests include pre-employment testing, self-testing, for-cause testing and random testing. Such tests may be conducted on employees, contractors and visitors.

Mecrus is committed to actively identify solutions to assist employees to minimise health risks associated with alcohol and other drugs. Tests are designed to increase employee safety by reducing drug and alcohol impairment; both mental and physical.

The Mecrus Drug and Alcohol Management Policy focuses on proactively responding to all substance issues within Mecrus. All testing and results are confidential, sensitive and provide early assistance where necessary and facilitating a return to regular responsibilities within the workplace as soon as possible.

Safety is imperative in all work environments, but especially within the manufacturing industry. That is why The Australian Briquette Production Facility is investigating and implementing two new devices to reduce manual handling, which in turn will result in a safer workplace for all staff members.

Manual Handling may not always pose an immediate hazard to those within the industry, however after long term exposure the risk of extensive injury increases. It is because of these long term risks that The Mecrus Group has endeavoured to alleviate the reliance on manual handling within The ABPF.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer and Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter have been specifically engineered for use in The ABPF to assist the process of changing the forms, which are used to shape the briquettes.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer is a concept design with the intended outcome of greatly reducing excessive manual handling while extracting each wedge from the press. The wedges are used to secure the hooks and forms during production. The conceptualised design will eliminate the need for personnel to use a sledgehammer to loosen and remove the wedges in order to proceed with the form change.

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer once fully developed is intended to work complementary with The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter which is already in the early stages of implementation.

The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter has been fully tested by the form change personnel during the form changes. The device has been produced to reduce the time taken to change the forms simplify the process, and to eliminate strenuous lifting, wrenching and other laborious movements. The device also reduces the risk of operators placing hands underneath the hook, by eliminating the requirement of using a roller pipe to lift the bottom hook.

Through constructive feedback from staff within the facility, the engineers have been able to further improve the functionality and safety of these apparatuses. Both of these complimentary innovations have been enthusiastically received by stakeholders of ABPF and are hoped to become standard equipment used within the facility. The devices, when used correctly should mitigate many possible safety risks associated with manual handling during form changes within the facility.

The Hydraulic Bottom Hook Lifter

The Pneumatic Wedge Extractor Hammer Concept

The Mecrus Group will soon be delivering two new water recycling and recovery technologies to Australian Industry.

The EST and C&G units are both chemical free technologies that produce high-grade water and solvent recovery suitable for a variety of processing and manufacturing industries.

EST has the capability to recover up to 90% of the water from industrial waste water with low organic contaminants. The technology is brand new and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional RO processes.

A great opportunity for EST is in the power industry where hundreds of mega litres of secondary cooling water are disposed of each year as it becomes too saline for continued use. The EST system can recover up to 95% of this wastewater which can be reused - dramatically reducing the cost of sourcing new water and the cost of wastewater disposal.

The C&G unit uses vacuum evaporation technology to boil the water away from industrial waste allowing, in certain cases, for the recovery and reuse of both the water and the raw materials. The C&G process can be tailored to the requirements of the customer such that the remaining waste can be highly concentrated liquid or a dry crystalline material. Across Europe where the technology was first created, the C&G unit is widely used in the printing industry where factories

are able to recover and reuse water and the valuable inks. Other widely used applications are in galvanising, reduction of oily emulsions, wine making and pharmaceutical industries.

“Bringing these technologies into the Australian market is just one more step in our ongoing commitment to combating the wider water issue,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“The recycling and recovery capabilities of these units further Mecrus’ efforts

to relieve the pressure on traditional water sources, such as our rivers and catchments. These new technologies are a perfect accompaniment to the water creating capabilities of the Desaln8 ISD system. Innovative technologies like these are another step towards a water-secure future for Australia.”

For further information or enquiries in regards to obtaining this innovative technology, please contact Trevor Ahale, (03) 8545 8800.

Expanding Water Solutions

Desaln8 has been awarded in the Monash Business Awards (MBA) within the category of Innovation.

The MBA, established in 1994, aims to recognise individual business achievements, innovation and excellence within the Monash Business Community.

Desaln8 was chosen ahead a number of innovative companies because of its ability to create water in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Desaln8 promotes water innovation through providing specific supply solutions to organisations and individuals with poor water quality reserves. The Desaln8 In Situ Desalination (ISD)

system is installed in the ground where it produces freshwater from saline groundwater. The ISD system uses no chemicals and does not create a need to dispose of a brine stream. Operating in the ground also means that only useable water is brought to the surface, causing less energy resources to be used, compared to similar above ground systems.

ISD water can be used anywhere non potable freshwater is needed and it is extremely cost effective, often producing water for less than it costs from the tap.

On behalf of Mecrus Group; we would like to congratulate Deslan8 on their well deserved award.

A Flood of Success for Desaln8

MecrusReview MecrusReviewMecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

MecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

The Mecrus Group will soon be delivering two new water recycling and recovery technologies to Australian Industry.

The EST and C&G units are both chemical free technologies that produce high-grade water and solvent recovery suitable for a variety of processing and manufacturing industries.

EST has the capability to recover up to 90% of the water from industrial waste water with low organic contaminants. The technology is brand new and is up to 10 times cheaper than traditional RO processes.

A great opportunity for EST is in the power industry where hundreds of mega litres of secondary cooling water are disposed of each year as it becomes too saline for continued use. The EST system can recover up to 95% of this wastewater which can be reused - dramatically reducing the cost of sourcing new water and the cost of wastewater disposal.

The C&G unit uses vacuum evaporation technology to boil the water away from industrial waste allowing, in certain cases, for the recovery and reuse of both the water and the raw materials. The C&G process can be tailored to the requirements of the customer such that the remaining waste can be highly concentrated liquid or a dry crystalline material. Across Europe where the technology was first created, the C&G unit is widely used in the printing industry where factories

are able to recover and reuse water and the valuable inks. Other widely used applications are in galvanising, reduction of oily emulsions, wine making and pharmaceutical industries.

“Bringing these technologies into the Australian market is just one more step in our ongoing commitment to combating the wider water issue,” said Mecrus Managing Director, Barry Richards.

“The recycling and recovery capabilities of these units further Mecrus’ efforts

to relieve the pressure on traditional water sources, such as our rivers and catchments. These new technologies are a perfect accompaniment to the water creating capabilities of the Desaln8 ISD system. Innovative technologies like these are another step towards a water-secure future for Australia.”

For further information or enquiries in regards to obtaining this innovative technology, please contact Trevor Ahale, (03) 8545 8800.

Expanding Water Solutions

Desaln8 has been awarded in the Monash Business Awards (MBA) within the category of Innovation.

The MBA, established in 1994, aims to recognise individual business achievements, innovation and excellence within the Monash Business Community.

Desaln8 was chosen ahead a number of innovative companies because of its ability to create water in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Desaln8 promotes water innovation through providing specific supply solutions to organisations and individuals with poor water quality reserves. The Desaln8 In Situ Desalination (ISD)

system is installed in the ground where it produces freshwater from saline groundwater. The ISD system uses no chemicals and does not create a need to dispose of a brine stream. Operating in the ground also means that only useable water is brought to the surface, causing less energy resources to be used, compared to similar above ground systems.

ISD water can be used anywhere non potable freshwater is needed and it is extremely cost effective, often producing water for less than it costs from the tap.

On behalf of Mecrus Group; we would like to congratulate Deslan8 on their well deserved award.

A Flood of Success for Desaln8

MecrusReview

As the business continues to grow, so does the base of expertise employed to support it. We welcome on board our new addition to the Mecrus Group team:

Russell Martin - General Manager of Australian Groundwater Technologies Pty Ltd AGT has consolidated its position as the leading provider of integrated water management solutions with the appointment of internationally recognised Hydrogeologist, Russell Martin as General Manager.

Russell brings to the AGT team over 25 years of groundwater experience, in particular urban water resources management, which complements the already strong reputation the firm has in the delivery of sustainable stormwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge/aquifer storage and recovery (MAR/ASR) schemes.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a technical specialist in the area of MAR/ASR, Russell was the project manager of the team that won the inaugural 2001 UNESCO Man-Made Rivers Award for advancing ASR methodologies through the Bolivar reclaimed wastewater ASR research project in South Australia.

New Appointments

Over the next decade increasing pressures on Australia’s water resources from population growth and the impacts of climate change will inevitably require a country-wide change in perception concerning water sources and water reuse.

The short-term solution provided by desalination of seawater will ultimately need to be balanced against the carbon footprint in terms of energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the highly saline waste stream. Energy costs will continue to increase over the foreseeable future increasing the unit cost of producing water through desalination.

As we continue to make our catchments impervious to urban growth the impacts on the environment multiply. Watercourses have been highly modified to move as much runoff as quickly as possible into the rivers or marine environment where the sediment loadings and associated pollutants destroy the receiving environs ecology.

Unfortunately, to serve self-interests, the human animal has a tendency to look at things in isolation. For example, if the discharge of the waste stream is looked at in isolation, the impacts of one 200 ML/yr desalination plant are relatively minor. However the initial environmental impact assessment never factors in the increased volume of stormwater runoff from the urban environment or the increased volume of sewage effluent, all stemming from the increased water supply. These impacts create a multiplier effect that cause long-term irreversible

damage. One of the reasons these serious environmental impacts are overlooked is that they often take a number of years to manifest; and once they do begin to manifest, due to the complexity of the ecosystem, the initial cause and effect can be difficult to pin down.

To avoid some of the multiplier impacts on the environment, stormwater harvesting and reclaimed wastewater reuse represents a viable means of sourcing ‘new’ water. They are cost-effective and efficient methods of water reuse.

The key to the security of any water supply is storage. In most large metropolitan centres simple storages in our upper catchments have been exhausted therefore the most effective solution is below ground storage in times of excess. Treated reclaimed wastewater, or harvested storm water can be recharged into the aquifer, where conditions are suitable, and then pumped to the existing reservoirs where it can be treated to potable standards using the existing infrastructure (or where required upgrade the infrastructure at a nominal cost) and distributed through the existing potable water supply network.

Therefore to meet future water demands and provide security of supply we believe we should be attempting to maximise the use of existing taxpayer funded assets in the form of reservoirs and potable water distribution networks ahead of options such as retro fitting third pipes across established urban areas.

This is where AGT comes in. AGT has the experience and technical knowledge to sustainably implement stormwater harvesting or treated wastewater recharge and the subsequent storage in below ground natural aquifers. We have extensive experience working with regulatory authorities to incorporate barriers and preventative measures to protect the receiving environment and existing users from any adverse impacts associated with the operation of a managed aquifer recharge or aquifer storage and recovery scheme.

I am proud to join a company so strongly positioned as one of Australia’s leading specialists in groundwater technology. We have the knowledge and proven expertise to characterise the source water and understand the water quality improvements that can be achieved with storage in the aquifer to mitigate risks to human health and, ultimately, that creates a sustainable, water-rich future for us all.

The Road Ahead By AGT’s General Manager, Russell Martin

MecrusReview

IBL Students welcomedMecrus would like to welcome Jarred Bachmann and Alyce Farmer, as part of an Industry Based Learning (IBL) program in association with Swinburne University of Technology. Both students will be working within Mecrus Head Offi ce for 12 months commencing in July 2011.

The students will be able to gain invaluable industry experience during their appointment; gaining mentoring from senior employees in addition to hands on experience.

Jarred is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne University. With a wide range of skills both developed at uni and through his passion for modifying and restoring cars, Jarred is set to become a valuable team member within Mecrus.

Alyce, also a third year student at Swinburne University, is studying a Bachelor of Business (Management) and a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design). Alyce will assist Mecrus within the division of Marketing/ Public Relations.

Technology is imperative for any company and this reliance on technology will continue to grow with each year. Complex computer systems from years previous are now obsolete. IT systems are now further developed and the need for constant support from IT experts is essential to maintain daily operations. Mecrus understands the need to cope with these ever changing technologies and have progressed from an outsourced IT service, in order to establish an in-house IT infrastructure department with the appointment of Alex Yang as The Mecrus Group’s IT Services Manager.”

Subsequent to appointing a specialised IT Services Manager, vast improvements have been established. The successful completion of a built secure domain system for each individual site and the creation of a Site-to-Site VPN (Virtual Private Network) have allowed connections and fi le transfers between individuals via a secure channels. In addition, Alex has upgraded the backup system in an effort to signifi cantly reduce the risk of system data loss and/or corruption. The threat of Malware and possibly fatal viruses to the system has been subsided by the introduction of Enterprise Endpoint protection system.

When asked about his achievements, Alex Yang, Mecrus’s IT Services Manager remarked “My time at Mecrus has been challenging but also highly rewarding with the improvements I have been able to implement.”

“All the separate business units now enjoy a streamlined IT support system that I am constantly seeking to improve.”

Currently, the Mecrus IT team is undertaking two substantial projects –integrating all the individual domain systems at our sites into a single companywide domain and centralising the messaging (email) system via the recently implemented Microsoft Exchange Server. The new system will provide easy and convenient email access to users via the network anywhere, anytime.

The Exchange central email backup, in addition, has the major benefi t of securely saving emails directly to the Mecrus network; this ensures that if a user’s local computer fails, all emails will remain accessible in the future.

“We have come a long way from our humble IT beginnings and as we evolve as a company, so too will the technology that supports us,” said Alex.

From the IT Desk

Alex Yang, IT Services Manager

Mecrus Pty LtdUnit 21 Business Park DriveNotting Hill, Victoria 3168Australia

PO Box 328Mulgrave, Victoria 3170Australia

Tel +61 3 8545 8800Fax +61 3 8545 8899www.mecrus.com.au

FAM – BMHA through Australian Engineering House have been successful in winning design, manufacture and supply of new stockyard stacker and dual pair of bridge bucket wheel reclaimers.

The machines are part of a new Bauxite and Aluminium refi ning development in Saudi Arabia. Alcoa has formed a joint venture with Ma’aden, the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, to develop a fully integrated, world-class aluminium industry in Saudi Arabia.

FAM Sales andTtechnical Engineers are attending ALCOA USA offi ces in fi rst project start up meetings for FAM scope of supply of these bauxite stockyard machines. FAM Construction Engineers will supervise the erection and commissioning of the machines on site.

A stipulation for the design of the comprehensive stockyard communications/controls system development will see our Australian resident Senior Electrical Engineer EIke Behling residing in the Brisbane offi ces of Worley Parsons for up to 6 months, to ensure close cooperation and consistency of design philosophy.

FAM - BMHA, Saudi ArabiaContinued...

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