Mining in the
twenty-first century brings with it a new range of challenges, some unfamiliar
to our industry. Skilled staff recruitment and retention is a significant issue.
Equipment supply lead times are changing the risk profile under which we
operate. And the new landscape of this century demands accountability at all
levels while also requiring that we deliver more to our shareholders and our
host communities. This paper draws on experiences in Waihi, addresses some of
the challenges facing the modern mining industry and suggests some modest
mitigation strategies.