This short paper outlines the author's views regarding the progress we have made as an industry in managing mining assets over the past 500 years. It represents a personal view - but one founded in fact-based observations of mining companies and of the mining industry in general._x000D_
There is no doubt that Agricola's views as expressed in De Re Metallica (1556) were visionary. There is also little doubt regarding another issue - that whilst a great deal has been learnt about the management of mines since Agricola's time, observations suggest that best practice management is the exception rather than the rule across our industry. Although insights regarding the successful management of mines have become apparent, we still witness unnecessary errors in our industry that lead to the loss of shareholders' funds._x000D_
By highlighting some aspects of current best practice, particularly in the arena of operations management, it is hoped that this short paper contributes a small step along the next 500-year-long learning curve._x000D_
The paper concludes with a brief description of the progress and impact of continuous improvement initiatives at Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM). Located in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields, KCGM is currently Australia's largest gold mine producing over 800 000 ounces of gold per annum. Improvement initiatives at KCGM look set to deliver some $100 million in value over life-of-mine.