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MInInG connect

Sean McCoy General Manager, Heat Systems Group Pty Ltd

Sean McCoy does not like to sit still, as his work Sean has found himself in a constant learning environment
history of 12 different management roles in seven in the mining sector over the past decade with Heat
professions would attest to. “I want to learn as Systems which services some of the biggest names in
much as I can about everything and I have now been mining and is currently Australia’s only fully domestic
involved with the mining industry for the past 12 manufacturer of carbon regeneration kilns.
years,” Sean McCoy of Heat Systems Group Pty
Ltd tells Paydirt.

I In a recent talk with Paydirt, Sean McCoy, who PD: What is the team ethos at Heat Systems?
has a background in telecommunications, mining
SM: Heat Systems wants to have real and long-
and finance, shares his thoughts on the state of
standing relationships not just with the individuals we
the sector and just how Heat Systems can be a
valuable contributor. directly interact with, but also with their whole team.
Everything from logistics to expediting, Heat Systems
wants to have great relationships with our clients so they
PD: Is there an area of the mining sector that you’d
like to see improved? do know, if they have a situation, we will do everything
we can to help them out of that hole. We cannot be all
SM: I would really like to see Australian mining things to all people, that is just life. Heat Systems is a
companies giving more serious consideration to relatively small business and our team are all incredibly
using Australian-based vendors. single minded about making sure we assist our clients
Although some Australian based vendors may in achieving their set goal. A lot of businesses out there
be considered more expensive purely because of forget that there is someone else on the end of that
in the spotlight
wages and the cost of living, what the Covid-19 bank transfer; the simple fact is we can all make money
pandemic has shown is that there are structural flaws, because we look after our clients. So long as we focus
inconsistencies, and weaknesses in current overseas on our clients 110%; we cannot fail. It is an old school
supply chains. Maybe now is the time to really start business ethic and mentality and that is what we do, we
building up relationships with Australian-based vendors live up to our promises and we are proud of that fact.
whether they be OEMs or suppliers of equivalent We never over promise and under deliver wasting our
quality non-original spare parts. I think that there is clients time, money and energy as nondescript struggling
an opportunity, for vendors, EPCs, mining companies, Australian companies are known to do.
developers and OEMs to create interactive relationships
and spend more than just five minutes just looking at PD: How can the sector enhance its public image?
a number on the spreadsheet, to better understand SM: I believe that there are always new ways that
how and where such relationships can benefit them. mining companies and mining entities can be more
I think that they should be looking at the benefits flexible in how they interact with community, more
of geographic proximity, ability to deliver essential specifically with local and indigenous communities
parts and services, and the actual cost of delivering around the mine sites themselves.
those essential parts and services in a timely manner, You see a lot of great work going on in developing nations,
versus the cost of an unplanned shutdown! These like where companies play a significant part not just in local
are the sorts of circumstances that we spend time in employment but assisting communities right through to
understanding and then use in determining how better individuals achieving personal goals. For example, one of our
Heats Systems can fit into the picture. clients in the Philippines hosts a village wedding every year
whereby up to 40 local couples get married at the same
PD: Has there been one particular project that has large ceremony which is paid for by the mining company
been particularly satisfying? simply because the individuals can’t afford it themselves.
SM: Just last year Heat Systems were on site at That sort of generosity and attention to the individual’s
Syama [Resolute Mining Ltd] in Mali, which is not basic desires brings about a feeling of real community and
an easy place to get to! I think that is an incredibly positive thing. A lot of mining
We were asked to travel to site to help them with companies do it well, and the continual engagement with
a specific problem they were having with another the community can only help with fostering good will and
manufacturer’s equipment. What made it most benefit to those that live within that area.
satisfying was the people on site – they were a real Heat Systems is proudly Australian and we actively contract
team; they supported each other and supported us to with, and promote, other local companies in all our dealings
make us feel as though we were part of their greater in our efforts to support our local community.
team. That, and our ultimate success in fixing the
problem, is what made that project so rewarding.

aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT JULY 2020 Page 43