Lots to do

What a fantastic trip to site. Although it is still full of exploration activity you as you walk around you start to get a feel for the lay of the land and how the operations could come together.

Needless to say there's lots to do, however that's one of the things that really attracted me to this organization. My skills and experiences through being involved in other start-ups will help me work with everyone here to piece together an successful mid-tier gold company.

Thankfully there are some great people already involved and we are starting with an important piece which is getting the organisational direction and leadership cleared up and aligned. This will assist us as we further engage Government and other stakeholders during our efforts to develop our operations further.


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Location:Jakarta

Steep learning curve

Now that I've assumed my role as COO with Sihayo, I have a lot to grasp as there's been a lot of great work done.

The ground holding is a fantastic address with great potential that is expected to start with the Sihayo/Sambung project.

I'm very excited about being with this great group of people who all want to see this explorer move towards a mature operating company.

Tomorrow and over the weekend I'll have the chance to "walk the ground" with the field teams who have got us to where we are. It'll be great to put what I've only just read about into context.

Stay tuned !


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Location:Medan, Indonesia

Opportunity

Well it's been a very long time since I had the opportunity or the desire to put some thoughts down. And it got me thinking about what is an 'opportunity' ?

I guess it all depends on your perspective and frame of mind. Having now had some time away from Tennessee Mines I've been able to regain some perspective, fitness and valuable time with the girls.

While uncertainty remains about what we'll tackle next, there is no urgency for us to 'jump' at the next big thing. In fact we are getting a chance to get some things in order that have been difficult to manage while holding down a full time role.

In the immediate term were have plans to spend time on the glacier at Mt Baker, WA and with a bit of luck achieve a summit.

After that we'll probably head towards the 'shack' at Sisters Beach which has been renovated while we were away. We haven't seen it other than via photos that look incredible ! However the garden needs a bit of work which I'm happy to do.

If it comes to it we may even get a chance to spend a Christmas there on the beach !

So the opportunities have been endless, and haven't taken much looking to find.

Although I have been wondering about those that I've missed while the blinkers were on.

Take care everyone, I'm back !

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Location:Vancouver

Leaders are human too !

It's easy when we are working in teams to develop a level of reverence or disdain for those within the team and possible even your leader. I suspect that's a "normal" feeling as the team and individuals grow and strengthen their ties and capabilities. Although I think this is also a potentially dangerous time.

Of course I'd never suggest that to respectfully challenge within the team is the wrong thing, however I do believe there's a right place and time. In fact I believe the wrong time is whenever there are subordinates around as they can potentially mistake challenge for dissent or disagreement for lack of unity.

The challenge for leaders and team members is that as humans it is very hard to hide our true feelings and emotions. You'll know what I mean if you ever 'felt' that a colleague didn't like you despite perhaps continuous feedback to the contrary or the fact they avoid you in the corridor.

Of course some of us are better or worse at this than others, but that takes practice.

So this brings an interesting challenge for anyone in a leadership and team situation.

The important thing for me is that the communications lines have to be open and forums must be available that allow team members to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of retribution. Can we ALWAYS get it right ? Well possibly not, but that shouldn't stop anyone from trying.

It's easy to say, 'the boss doesn't listen', 'no one takes my ideas seriously' or perhaps 'people won't come talk to me'. I've heard myself say some of these things at times but in reality it's only MY perception. If we are passionate about our work, an idea or even an alternative way of doing things, get going and be heard !

It's way to easy to get caught up in our own perceived fears or concerns over what may happen if I share a thought or idea, however any business/team, like Nyrstar and the Tennessee Mines can only improve or change if those within the business are willing make the effort.

So what's stopping you ?


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Location:Vancouver

A Learning Organisation

Nearly two years ago now I was a fresh face on the scene of a business that had launched an ambitious plan to grow a company from the comforts of it's smelting business to incorporate upstream mining activity.

Like many out there I'd sat in meetings held by numerous of my previous employers where it was proclaimed that the latest 'strategy' was to grow the company by 'X' % within 'Y' years, or something similar yet watched to see the same activity rolled forward with little or no result.

I certainly can't say the same for Nyrstar, who over the last 2 years has aggressively taken up the challenge to transform its business to incorporate what is now 10 mining operations across Northern and Latin America as well as Europe.

As one of the 'old hands' it's great to be involved in helping out the new operations join our business. Last week we were working with the General and Integration Managers to facilitate the way for those operations which have most recently been added as a result of the Breakwater acquisition. It was great to see the new and interesting faces, but most of all the additional experience to our team is always welcome.

What struck me most was the approach that our business has taken to bring these people into the fold. Much has changed since I joined to develop the Tennessee Mines, as these teams are getting a comprehensive introduction to the people and systems that are necessary to operate in line with the Nyrstar way. It's a credit to those who have been dedicated to this integration.

In order to be that partner of choice, providing resources to a changing world it's fantastic to see that even as we grow, our organisation can still learn and adapt from what has transpired in the past.

I'm certain that we will also learn further from this exercise and it will be important for us to continue to alter and modify our approach.

In a general world environment that doesn't seem to operate and respond as it used to, as leaders we all need to be able to re-think our 'norms' as the way ahead doesn't seem to be so closely related to that which has happened in the past and we are going to need some new 'tricks' that will most easily be identified through sharing and being open to new and alternative ideas and concepts.


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Location:Vancouver Airport

Back to Work

This last week I've been away in Las Vegas touring the area with the girls and of course checking out what all the fuss is about.

We all had a blast, and I was lucky enough to be joined by friends who helped me celebrate my birthday.

Apart from visiting the pool, Casinos and the Fremont St area we took the time to fly out to the Grand Canyon as well as Death Valley. These are certainly worthy of a look if you are in the area as there are only so many Casinos you can visit before they all look the same.

Don't get me wrong, the 'Strip' is a lot of fun. There's plenty of people watching to do, and 'life' to experience, We caught a few shows and even went indoor sky-diving. (what a hoot)

So you see while I may be another year older, the sense of fun is still there. Which is important at home and at work, after all life is way too short to miss out on some entertainment !

However all good things come to an end as I head back over to Zurich for our regular Operations forum. While they are a lot of effort, there is still the chance to meet up with an ever growing number of colleagues as Nyrstar continues to be successful in acquiring new operations.

It certainly is a dynamic environment with plenty of challenges, but also an element of 'fun' as there are many striving to build a credible new business.

Location:Central Terminal Area,,United States

Time of Transition

What a great time to be part of the Nyrstar story.

Over the past 12 months the business has changed dramatically, and with it has come the space to allow the necessary change in our people who are so vital to the ongoing success of the company.

The Nyrstar Way, provides some great opportunity for reflection in the event change becomes more the we can handle, and there are plenty of others to speak with who are available to share the load if required.

Here in Tennessee we have successfully brought a full complement of great employees into the business during the ramp up however as we push to develop a more stable business I suspect that doubts remain within some areas despite the huge progress that's been made and the evidence that we have already surpassed milestones previously set by those who came before us.

This is a time of transition, where our task has moved on from simply establishing activity, to demanding stability in our outcomes and the associated quality. Our opportunity is to be smarter about how we go forward now, leveraging the combined knowledge of the teams and challenging 'norms' that seem to be accepted even after only 18 months.

There's plenty to do, we are a long way from perfection. The challenge ahead may be less dramatic compared to what we have been through, however now is the time when we really add value.


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Location:JFK Airport