Former Australian quarrying head to lead NZ’s extractive H&S group
A past president of the Institute of Quarrying Australia has been named as the next CEO of New Zealand’s Mining Extractives Health and Safety Council, MinEx. 
MinEx chair, Chris Baker, says his board is very pleased to have secured the appointment of Wayne Scott, currently Inspector of Mines (Small Mines Strategy) for Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
“We had a number of good applicants for the position and two very strong finalists but on balance Wayne’s depth of experience in quarrying, coupled with his background in delivering safer quarries and mines in Australia meant he was an outstanding choice to deliver as MinEx’s next CEO,” says Chris Baker.
Wayne Scott is a New Zealander who has worked for many years in Australia, although he has attended QuarryNZ conferences as recently as last year and also conducted some health and safety training for Institute of Quarrying NZ.
He has served in his current position for 8½ years, responsible for assisting small mine operators to meet their safety and health obligations under state mining legislation.
Wayne earlier had 20 years in various management roles for Holcim Australia (previously Readymix) including managing quarry transport operations in Sydney, and quarrying and concrete operations in NSW’s Mid-North Coast and in North Queensland. He served on the IOQ Australia board for 9 years and was president in 2012/2013.
Wayne Scott’s qualifications include being a Chartered Accountant and Certified Practicing Quarry Manager together with a number of industry-based qualifications extending to an Advanced Diploma in Extractive Industries, Advanced Risk Management (University of Queensland).
“I consider my strengths to be in the areas of people management and development, safety, “hands-on” implementation of strategic plans, operational improvement, customer interface, and financial management,” says Wayne. “I am looking forward to the new challenge of a return to New Zealand and working with MinEx, industry bodies, the extractive sector and regulators to help deliver improved health and safety for quarries and mines.”
Wayne takes up his appointment as MinEx CEO on 1 July and will work out of the Straterra office in Wellington, when he is not on the road.