Welcome to our second Project Bulletin for 2020

In this bulletin you can read about:

• New CEO for Kalbar
• EES update
• Kalbar Conversations column
• Kalbar at the 2020 East Gippsland Field Days

New CEO for Kalbar

Today we are pleased to announce the appointment of mining executive Jozsef Patarica as our incoming CEO. Our current CEO Victor Hugo will transition the role to Jozsef in coming months and continue in a consultancy role for the company.

Jozsef brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Kalbar team and is relocating to Bairnsdale from Bendigo where he developed the world class Fosterville Gold Mine. He also has a strong background in mineral sands and was formerly the CEO of the Grande Cote Mineral Operation in Senegal, West Africa.

Jozsef originally started in the mining industry in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, and his mining development and operational career has subsequently covered a range of projects in regional NSW, west coast Tasmania, Norway, and Chile, South America.

“Having the opportunity to develop a new mine, creating new jobs and opportunities for the local community is extremely rewarding. I am looking forward to being part of the community and delivering a new industry for the region,” says Jozsef.

“Amongst other communities, I have seen first-hand the significant benefits that the Fosterville Gold Mine continues to deliver to Bendigo and the surrounding area, and it is a privilege to be part of a project that will do the same for East Gippsland.”


Jozsef will commence work with Kalbar at the end of April and we welcome him and his family to the Bairnsdale community.

EES update

Further to our EES update in the January Bulletin, we continue to monitor the situation in the East Gippsland community and the current status of bushfire recovery. Our liaison with agencies and stakeholders regarding appropriate timing for our EES Public Exhibition is ongoing.

Kalbar Conversations

Kicking off today in the Bairnsdale Advertiser we have established a new column called Kalbar Conversations. Through this column we will be sharing a broad range of information about mineral sands in general, how the Fingerboards project is progressing, and introducing readers to all our different technical experts, why we employ their expertise and how their knowledge and skill is applied to the project.

Topics will range from why the Glenaladale mineral sands deposit even exists, why it is located where it is, through to how we monitor rainfall and weather conditions and why that type of data is important to mining. We will talk about our state-of-the-art rehabilitation program and the native grassy woodland restoration project – from preparation through to delivery. There is an endless list of subjects to talk about and we will do our best to share it all.

Do let us know if there are any particular topics of interest that you may like to have covered in Kalbar Conversations. We encourage you all to join the conversation.

To read our first edition of Kalbar Conversations please click here.

East Gippsland Field Days

Kalbar will once again be present at the East Gippsland Field Days on 17-18 April 2020 at the Bairnsdale Aerodrome.

This year we have partnered with the Komatsu Training Academy to provide a virtual reality operator training experience so you can have a go at operating mining, earthmoving and utility equipment. Using the 3-D virtual environment you will have the opportunity to practice with realistic machine controls to load a truck from a mining bench, try your hand at digging and dumping, or using equipment to build a ramp.

If you’re keen to have a go, you can find us at Exhibit F-15.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Further information on the Fingerboards Project

For further information about the Fingerboards Project, the EES process and Technical Studies:

• Go to our web site: <www.fingerboardsproject.com.au>
• Join our e-mail list for updates on the project
• Call into our office at 48 Bailey Street, Bairnsdale
• Call or e-mail us for further information, or to make an appointment to speak with one of our team

Phone: 5152 3130
Freecall: 1800 791 396
Email: contactus@fingerboardsproject.com.au