William joins the other senior appointments at RDCL made during the year.  The intent is to build a platform for growth, and “steady the ship” through a turbulent period of rapid growth over a number of markets.

We are very lucky to have William and the whole team looks forward to engagement with him.

(http://www.pike.co.nz/files/investor_centre/Rights_Issue2010-Prospectus.pdf, Appendix 1).

We have reviewed the report against the inferences with which it was referred including it’s findings as it relates to risk and geological structure at the mine as it was then known, and for transparency draw any public attention to the Executive Summary of the document as extracted below:

Pike River Coal LimitedNew Zealand Registered Company Number 114243 – Australian Registered Body Number 119 304 148Simplified Disclosure Prospectus, May 2010.

Appendix 1: Independent Review New Geological Datawith respect to 2006 Resource StatementPike River Coal Mine

Executive Summary

Pike River Coal Limited (PRCL) commissioned Resource Development Consultants Limited (RDCL) to complete an independent review of the geological data acquired since the original 2006 resource statement was released in 2007 as part of the PRCL IPO.

The Scope of the review is to assess whether the additional geological data acquired since 2006 has resulted in any material change to the resource statement for the project. We understand that the review may be incorporated in a prospectus for a 2010 capital raising.

Various reports completed since the inception of this project indicate the potential for geological risk. PRCL has implemented procedures to acquire geological data to mitigate these potential risks. RDCL completed a data acquisition site visit in February 2010. Geological data was initially reviewed on site and additional data was provided electronically as required. Both the PRCL Feasibility Study Report and the Behre Dolbear Associates (BDA) independent technical review were provided to RDCL at the time of the site visit.

The potential impact of any new geological data on the reserve statement is outside the scope of this work review.

In our opinion there is no material change to the PRCL resource over that reflected in the 2006 resource estimate. The 2006 resource estimate is based upon the in-situ estimate of the tonnes and coal quality characteristics of the Brunner Coal Measures, and is considered an appropriate global estimate. The geological data that has been acquired since this model was prepared has broadly confirmed the characteristics of thickness and coal quality for the Brunner seam.

The high resolution geological data such as the underground mapping and inseam drilling that is now routinely being acquired on site indicates that the Brunner seam does have significant faulting in the current development area, with both partial seam and full seam offsets encountered within the mine. This is not reflected in the global resource estimate due to the density of data available for modelling and the resolution at which the model is developed.

It is not uncommon for these types of issues to be encountered in a mining environment. Access to the resource at the exploration stage and financial constraints involved in exploring a deposit mean that resource estimates are routinely developed upon a limited data set which is intended to represent the entire deposit. Mine development and grade control activities are then established to gather sufficient geological data to validate or refine the detailed mine plans and reduce the geological uncertainty to a level that can be managed within the standard operational environment.

In reviewing this project, we believe that geological risk due to localised faulting impacting upon mine development will be an on-going challenge for the project.

Good geological practice within the mining environment will mitigate the geological risk to an acceptable level. An on-going commitment to inseam drilling, mapping and grade control systems will deliver geological data of value in planning extraction in any upcoming 18 month period. This will require significant investment and on-going integration between mine development and technical services on site.

The short term focus needs to be maintained on targeted data acquisition in those areas scheduled for initial extraction;  gathering and integrating enough geological data to ensure potential development risks are minimised. Grade control will be an essential long term requirement to enhance mine planning and manage risk for the PRCL project.

RDCL has not re-estimated the PRCL resource, but has reviewed the resource and the geological data that has been acquired since the resource estimate was compiled. PRCL has advised that all permits and consents are in good standing.

This report is intended for the express use by PRCL in connection with the financing activity for the Pike River Coal Mine and should not be used or relied upon for any other purpose. Neither the whole nor any part of this report nor any reference thereto may be included in or with or attached to any document or used for any other purpose, without written consent as to the form and context in which it appears

Looking offshore widens opportunities, networks and bank balances.  Factor in the larger global view you gain from exporting and the world becomes a truly prospective, exciting and challenging space.

To fully participate in the export market you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and what exactly you’re selling.  It’s imperative to plan for success and to reduce risks.  Knowing your niche is crucial to saving time and gets you into the right market at the right time.  Marketing 101 just got more relevant.

Innovation is always hot property, couple it with leading technology and now you’re exporting intelligence.  Think Alexander Graham Bell, Leonardo de Vinci and Albert Einstein.  Smarts not everyone has the gumption to deliver to the international marketplace.

Smart thinking truly will set you apart.  Suddenly your niche just got deeper.  The challenge is always going to be fostering the brave attitude to go with it.  Courage, communication and fortitude will quite literally take you a lot of places and over the inevitable unplanned setbacks.

RDCL and the RDCL team work smart, hard and invest in our team.  The opportunities are coming quickly now as the world shifts back to some form of normalcy, especially as commodity prices look strong in the medium term.  In this issue, we profile new Downhole services, a new office in Christchurch, new staff and an ongoing commitment to Attitude.

Thanks again all our clients, thanks for your commitment.

Bucking the trend is about putting yourself on the line and moving beyond comfort.  It’s prudent risk management, timing and effective resource utilisation for growth. And it’s having the courage to wave your flag and market what you do well.

In the words of an old salty, “A ship is safe in the harbour but that’s not what ships are for.”

High Value, New Jobs
Of critical importance to NZ, we are very proud to create much needed high value, professional jobs in the resource and engineering sectors.  In the last year our staff numbers have doubled and in the last month we have added two new geologists; Phillip Greville and Mike Pretty.  We are also pleased to soon announce the appointment of a Senior Coal Geologist in our Christchurch office.  And that is still not enough.

We are actively looking for Geotechnical Engineers and Geologists at all levels and invite interested, motivated performance players to express their interest.

New Offices in Wanaka and Christchurch
Our new office in Wanaka opens in March, and we will soon establish a Christchurch base.  This is to better service our South Island clients and provide alternate locations for employment.  We like to think we work damned hard and reward ourselves by where we live.  It ain’t a “lifestyle option”, but we can’t afford a “Googleplex” office so we take advantage of what NZ has to offer! 

New Contracts – Power, Cu, Au, Fe and Coal
RDCL is very pleased to have recently won significant contracts in mining, rail and power in New Zealand and offshore.  This reflects a lift in infrastructure spending and the very strong outlook for resources (“copper futures in New York hit US$4.63/lb”, NZ Herald 9/2/11), notably iron, copper, gold and coal.

With major projects in New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia, we keep pushing our boundaries.  During February and March we’re in Manila at the Rugby 10s, working and visiting New Zealand, Philippines and Indonesia based clients. We will continue to push forward with innovation by thinking outside the square. 

Who wants to stand still?

The pace isn’t slowing in November. RDCL is looking forward to a BIG AusIMM conference and the inaugural launch of the Austmine NZ branch. We are pleased to support these events as a key sponsor. Come and see our booth at the Owen Glenn Building, Auckland Uni 23 – 26 November and hear our presentation at the Austmine launch.

Getting involved promotes and strengthens our industry. Good ideas come from banding together as a united, forward thinking network. We believe it’s time to front up and discuss a key industry issue – Brain Drain. How can we collectively encourage graduates to remain in NZ? How can we provide an environment that is attractive to them – for the long term? RDCL is up for the challenge. Let’s get talking.

RDCL is mobilising our  Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) drill rig to the city to assist in the assessment and ongoing work and expect to have that on site by Monday 13 September.

Richard (Branson) says:

1. Assemble a management team with vision, passion and sense of ownership. Look for leaders who listen – to employees and customers.
2. A business is….a group of people bound together by a common purpose and vision. Manager must look for the best in people – catch someone doing something right everyday.
3. Lighten up.  Find the fun in your business.  Ensure your customers and staff feel a sense of warmth and affection.
4. Have courage.  Have the bravery to give it a go and the resolve and conviction to overcome hurdles and the confidence for people to follow.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/4045103/Richard-Bransons-leadership-tips