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REFINING THE GOLD STANDARD                                   abcrefinery.com




                                                             Kodituwakku says gold producers can benefit from this flexibility.
                                                             “If something goes wrong, jobs are on the line, but we will do everything
                                                             possible  to  ensure  they  are  getting  the  best  financial  outcome.  Our
                                                             relationship with any producer is that of a partner, helping them achieve
                                                             success,” he says. “Just recently, we were on hand after-hours to make sure
                                                             a client could sell the gold coming out of its mine because we recognise
                                                             how important it is to sell as much gold as possible before the end of the
                                                             financial year.”
                                                             The  triumvirate’s  banking  experience  also  provides  clients  an  edge  in
                                                             selling their output.
                                                             “Producers come to us for our refining capabilities but soon realise how we
                                                             can assist in selling their gold as well,” Dymock says. “We understand the
                                                             refining business and can navigate the banking system which allows us to
       synergies and pursue new products and markets.        compete directly with banks on some of the financial services they offer.”
       During their time at the publicly-owned refinery, Metcalfe, Kodituwakku
       and Dymock were instrumental in the growth in traditional services and
       innovative product lines.
       “A lot of what we do is missed by gold producers, but it is really about
       defending gold’s status and keeping ahead of the curve,” Kodituwakku
       explains. “As well as servicing the miners, we are developing new markets
       and investment customers.”
       That  process  has  become  more  complicated  in  recent  years  as
       cryptocurrencies  and  other  digital  investment  platforms  have  risen  to
       prominence. However, the new Perth team at ABC Refinery boasts first-
       hand knowledge of how to counter digital investment trends.
       “The changing world of digital investment was something we dealt with
       head on at our previous employer where we tried to develop new markets
       and products and encourage wider investment in gold by making access
       to gold more convenient,” Dymock says. “We were involved in new online
       investment platforms, including the world’s first sovereign-backed physical
       gold ETF and a smartphone gold trading app.
       “The miners may not immediately recognise it but the increase in profile
       these innovations offer ultimately benefit producers.”
       Now, the team is at the helm of ABC Refinery’s new Perth office and is
       determined to deliver the same level of service in a segment of the gold
       industry miners are not always knowledgeable about.
       “As  a  competitor  we  could  see  ABC  was  making  inroads  and  our  ex-
       colleagues who moved over spoke highly of the culture,” Kodituwakku
       says. “We have always seen ourselves as innovators and challengers to
       the status quo and working in the private sector will allow us to take the
       next step. The WA gold market is beginning to recognise that we are a
       big business but as we are private, we can move swiftly to meet customer
       needs.”
       Far from simply a toll refiner, ABC offers unparalleled geographical reach
       within  Asia  through  its  network  of  offices  in  Australia,  mainland  China
       and  Hong  Kong.  As  a  private  business,  it  also  provides  flexibility  and   In anticipating the needs of gold-producing customers, ABC Refinery has
       commercial innovation through the refining and sales process.  set out to improve end-to-end transparency and sustainability in the gold
                                                             sector.
                                                             “ESG, and particularly innovation in ESG is a big focus for us,” Dymock
                                                             says.
                                                             With  shareholders,  investors  and  end-users  demanding  ever  greater
                                                             transparency through the entire gold supply chain, ABC is once again
                                                             getting ahead of the curve to the benefit of clients.
                                                             “Ethical sourcing is a massive issue globally and we are fortunate that
                                                             Australia is a good regulatory space; that means we are able to produce a
                                                             premium, ethical product – whether bars and coins or jewellery,” Dymock
                                                             says.
                                                             ESG principles are at the heart of ABC’s culture, according to Kodituwakku.
                                                             “The supply chain is sacrosanct because it is embedded in our corporate
                                                             approach, but we also see market upside to focusing on it,” he says. “We
                                                             are working on technological innovation which will reduce gold’s carbon
                                                             footprint  –  including  the  world’s  largest  emissions-free  refining  system
                                                             and  advanced  zero-emissions  refining  –  and  on  traceability  concepts,
                                                             including batch processing. We are keen to work with miners on how they
                                                             can reduce their carbon footprint throughout the value chain and improve
                                                             traceability; we see ourselves as leaders in those areas.”
                                                             For inquiries about ABC Refinery’s products and services,
                                                             contact Nishan Kodituwakku (Deputy Treasurer) on +61 415 202 200
                                                             or at Nishan.k@abcrefinery.com
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