Hennie du Plooy has been the CEO of Port Waratah Coal Services for 15 years. His career has spanned four decades after completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. In October he was recognised at the NSW Mining Parliamentary Dinner with the Outstanding Contribution to Mining Award.
Coal was the first rock Hennie was introduced to when he was a vacation student at Grootegeluk Colliery in South Africa’s eastern coalfields.
Hennie finished his degree, spent one year with the South African Navy before joining Anglo American’s Gold Division as a Graduate Metallurgist. At the same time Hennie worked in the New Business Development Division on the feasibility study for the Namakwa Sands Heavy Mineral Sands operation where he was accountable for pilot processing plant operations.
“Living on an undeveloped mine prospect for around six months also introduced me to the challenges of engaging with local landholders,” Hennie explained.
In 1992, Hennie joined Rio Tinto at Palabora Mining Company in South Africa. The mine was a large open pit and later a block cave operation. After starting out as a graduate, he worked his way up to Mill Superintendent in the copper business and various other roles until he was accountable as General Manager for all Palabora’s Industrial Minerals operations.
It was no small operation with vermiculite and uranium operations, a zirconia business producing Baddeleyite concentrate and Zirconium Sulphate for the nuclear industry.
In 2002, Hennie, his wife Estelle and their son relocated to Australia so Hennie could take up the General Manager role with Rio Tinto at Peak Gold Mines in Cobar.
Hennie stayed in that role for two years before moving north as the General Manager of Blair Athol Mine at Clermont in Central Queensland. Both roles involved a lot of community and stakeholder engagement.
Hennie then moved to Rio Tinto Australia’s head office in Brisbane, initially overseeing construction of the Clermont mine before taking on the role of General Manager Resource Development. In that role, he was responsible for reserves and resources, as well as strategic mine planning across Rio Tinto’s coal operations in Queensland and NSW.
Some of those mines you’d be familiar with. Hennie worked on projects including Bengalla, Mount Pleasant and Maules Creek.
“During my time there I was also part of the feasibility study and investment case for the first extension of the Kestrel Mine and technical support of the delisting of Coal and Allied from the Australian Stock Exchange in 2011.
“2011 was also the year that I joined Port Waratah Coal Services as Chief Executive Officer.”
Port Waratah is celebrating 50 years of operations this year. The business has played a critical role in exporting high-quality Hunter Valley coal all over the world. From an initial capacity of 16 million tonnes per annum, the Carrington Terminal’s service expanded to 25 million tonnes in 1982.
The Kooragang Terminal services began in 1984, growing to deliver 120 million tonnes with a combined 145 million tonnes a year capacity across Port Waratah’s terminal services.
Hennie’s role includes accountability for operations, finance, strategy, capital investment and stakeholder relationships. Over his time in the top job Hennie has had a consistent focus on people and culture to support improved safety and environmental performance.
“I’ve also been part of a progressive transition from Port Waratah operating under the constraints of being a coal chain bottle neck to one focused on customer service. This included accountability for completing the final stages of expanding the terminal through 2014, the administration and evolution of Port Waratah’s role in the capacity and framework arrangements and securing development approval of what was planned to be Terminal 4.”
Hennie has had other roles in the community including Director and President of the Hunter Business Chamber and Director of the Committee for the Hunter as well as Chair of the Hunter Region Branch of AUSIMM. He remains the Director of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator.
Hennie said he’s incredibly humbled to have been honoured by the industry.
“Mining is a very special business, and it is special to me. At its core are its people. It doesn’t always look like that because of the technology, big machines and so on, but in coal exports for example we work collaboratively from pit to port to export high-quality NSW coal to the world and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside talented and dedicated people throughout my career from mine sites, processing plants and terminal operations to board rooms and community forums.
“To every young person starting out in mining, take every opportunity you can, back yourself and your potential. To every leader, lift people up as you go, recognise potential and create opportunities for others along the way. Mining’s strength is its people. It’s the people who make our industry world class.
“I remain optimistic about the important role mining will continue to play in supporting regional communities, jobs and economic prosperity in NSW but we must protect and support the industry through stable and supportive policy and reasonable, balanced decision making.
“I appreciate every one of the many opportunities I’ve had over my career.
“I couldn’t possibly thank everyone who has supported me, given me a chance and helped me over my career. I do want to make special acknowledgment of my senior leadership team at Port Waratah. And to the wider Port Waratah team that we have the privilege of leading in that exceptional business.
“On a personal note, I want to thank my wife Estelle and our sons, for their support and encouragement and sacrifice throughout my career. A career is never one you do alone. I am deeply grateful for your patience, understanding and encouragement.”
