Allan, previously vice president operations of BHP Billiton, Illawarra Coal Holdings took over from Ray Parkin who officially retired at the QRMS Annual General Meeting yesterday after 12 years service to mines rescue in Queensland.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Susan Johnston welcomed Allan to the job saying the QMRS would benefit from Allan’s 25 years hands-on involvement in mines rescue

Operations.

Both Johnston and Allan paid tribute to Parkin who had given long and dedicated service to mines rescue in the state taking the service to new levels.

“The fact that Queensland mines rescue teams won the first three places at the recent Australian

mines rescue competition is testimony to the QMRS’s capabilities,” she said.

“I wish Mr Parkin well, and look forward to working with Mr Allan in our shared commitment to the

wellbeing of Queensland’s mine employees.”

Allan said he looks forward to building on the achievements and taking the mines rescue service into the future.

“The health and safety of workers is the number one priority for the coal sector and I’m eager to add my 41 years mining experience in the industry to build on the considerable advances already made,” Allan said.

Allan has had extensive executive and senior management experience in large underground

longwall coal mines in NSW and Queensland.